Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1839-07-18

TREMENDOUS THUNDER SToaM.--One
Of the most severe and awful thunder
storms VIC ever recollect of visiting this
town, was experienced here on Thurs
day morning last. Its duration was
about one hour, commencing at half
past 10 o'clock. The wind at the time
was blowing from the south west, the
clouds coming from that quarter and
the south east, at which latter point of
the compass il remained after the storm
had subsidized. For nearly half an hour,
when the fury Of the tempest was the
greatest the lightning andthunder which
followed each other in the most rapid
succession, were truly appalling and
terrific. Tho stoutcst and most rcso-
lutte unconsciously quailod and shrunk
at the terrific scene. The lightning
during the storm struck a number Of
places in different parts Of the town,
and did considerable damagc.-To at
tempt n full description Of its astonish-
ing as well as curious effects, would
occupy more space than we could con-
venicntly spare at present. The most
interesting particulars, however, rclat-
ing to il, VIC will mention as briefly Us
possible. Ono of the chimnies Of the
new house in Touro-strect, belonging
/ to Mr.. VIM. Wecden was struck and
considerably shattered at the top-the
lightning passing down in different di-
rectons, splitting the raiters, destroy
ing the cornicc over the fire places and
ripping off the pilastres from almost
every window in the house, attracted
by the cast iron weights attached to
them. Four or five carpenters and ma
sons were at work in the house at the
time, one of whom was struck on his
right shoulder, (Which laid him inscnsi
bic for some time on the floor leaving
mark as if scared by hot iron.-
None Of the others were injured though
severely shocked. We should think
the Lightning perforated the ceiling and
corncc in at least thirty different places
The damage to the house something
like hundred dollars.
The house of Mr.. Joshua Perry, in
the extreme south part Of the town, was
also struck and very considerably dam
aged. The course the lightning took
here most unqucstionably shows the
utility and importance of lightning rods,
for had there been proper conductor
attached to the house, the whole charge
would undoubtedly have been instantly
conveyed to the earth without doing the
least damage. Mr.. Perry's house is
two stories high with an attic half story.
a one story kitchen is carried o,;t some
ten feet north from the main building,
and the chimney Of this kitchen is built
up to the level of the roof, but is many
feet lower than the chimnics Of the
house. The top Of the kitchen chimney
was shattered, and the lightning was
conducted by two iron rods which were
intended to brace the chimney and were
fastened to the main building just under
the caves. The rods diverged from the
chimney, and a stream Of electric fluid
passed along each to the house, leaving
the lower part of the chimney uninjur-
ed, although there was large cooking
stove, with fire in it, at its base
The bolt which passed along the rod on
the east side, dashed into pieces a win
dow sash and frame, and drove in al
most the whole side of the room, glass,
plaster and fragments Of timber, strik-
ing and covering with rubbish lady
and two children who had the moment
before retired from the window. One
Of the children had its foot burnt and
the lady received some severe contu-
sions. The lightning passed through
the floor Of this room into the kitchen,
following partition, obIiqucly down.
wards in the direction Of another stove
standing in the southeast corner of the
kitchen, near which the floor was rip
ped up and it passed into the cellar
without appearing to have reached the
stove itself. The lady who was most
injured by the lightning was standing
in an open door way in the partition
above mentioned A cap which she
wore was thrown from her head and
found hanging on nail in the wall
somewhat above her height. The lady
hcrsclfwas struck down insensiblc, and
remained for many hours unconscious
of what had happened, frantic with pain
after she had recovered, aud as VIC