The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1838-02-10
PROTECTION OF SHIPS AGAINST LIGHT
MING

In notice OF the meeting Of the Scientific Assoca-
ton at Liverpool the November number OF Blackwood,
gives an account OF paper read by Mr. Harris this
important subject He said he could state upwards of
thousand cases OF destruction of ships by lightning
and doubted not that many ships which have never been
heard OF since they sailed, have been destroyed in the
same way.
He proved the utility Of conductors by series Of
experiments, with the electrical machine. A small
quantity OF powder was placed in small model house.
with the conducting wire attached the fluid was dis
charged upon It and passed lmperceptbly but the
moment the wire was Withdrawn, the powder exploded
His contrvance for protecting ships consists in pac-
ing copper rods IN continuous line down the mast from
the top into the water. He illustrated this with the
model Of vessel and showed that the fluid instead Of
being at dssipalcd into the water as by the con-
ductors now in by ships could be carried farther
small quantity Of powder was placed on the cap Of
the mast-a bag OF percussion powder half way down
near which the copper wire passed-and was turned
oil INTO little boat floating in the water; small guam
tity OF powder also placed in the boat and some
upon the table. An artificial cloud of light cotton was
charged with electricity and brought in contact with
the mast when the powder the cap OF the mast and
that IN the boat exploded simultaneously That on the
table escaped, also the percussion powder past which
the fluid was conducted by tho wire
lie then showed the effect OF lightning without con-
ductor A model mast was raised the stage. the
conductor being in groove down side, and small
quantity OF powder between the segments and the d.
'luea mast ~ suohB shock was applied with no other
effect than slight cracking sound; the conductor
was then removed the shock applied and the mast was
blown asunder. Mr. Harris said he had thorough con-
hdence IN his contrlvance, and read several testimonials
OF its practical utility. The thanks Of the meeting
were voted him by reclamation --Caas Mcr
ASHES OF Commissioning, in his Life of Co
lumbus buries his hero no less than three times
once at Valladolid, again at Seville, and third
time in the city Of ST. Domingo. There is some
reason 10 suppose that his remains were afterwards
conveyed to Havana, and deposited in the Cathedral
al that place.
AT the right hand Of rich altar in the Cathedral
is bust OF the Admiral, and under the following:
&C restos imagen del grande Colon,
Mil styles durad. guardados en- la Orna
:. en- memora de nuestia nacion !"
Meaning in English;
Relics and images Of Columbus rest,
thousand ages III this urn enshrined
thousand ages shall your memory find,
A sacred altar in the Spaniard's breast
There is story that the bones OF the Great Navi-
gator were afterwards destroyed or inferred in the
common burial ground.
The following beautiful extract from Rihuricb, illus
traes truth often forgotten in estimates Of human
suffering
"They little know, who coldy talk of the poor mans
bereavements, happy release from pain TO the de-
parted and mercllu relief from expense to the sur
vyo-,hey little know, say, what the agony Of those
bereavements is silent look Of affection and regard,
when all other ewes are turned codly away, the con-
seriousness that VIC possess the sympathy and affection
Of one being when all others have deserted US, is
hold STAY comfort in the deepest affection, which
no wealth could purchase or power bestow."