The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1846-06-30

above the building that they should be con-
lnuous and terminate in water Or moist
earth. This rule will determine the number
of rods required for any building.
CLARK RICH.
LIGHTNING OF THE THUNDERS.
Metallic lightning conductors do afford pro-
lection, and no instance has yet been found in
which loss of Lille CT injury TO human being
bv lightning, has ever occurred in building
or vessel protected by any kinG or form Of
metallic lightning conductor reared for the
purpose OF projections; and this fact alone. ii
would seem, should be sufficient TO satisfy
e very intelligent mind.
Buildings protected by metallic conductors,
have been struck by lightning, and some
times injured, but no case has yet been found
in which a vessel protected by a metallic
rod, has been in the least injured by light
ming, if the rod terminated in the waller and
extended above the highest spar ofthe vessel.
A comparison in this, affords The dt'tstra-
tion lrhich demonstrates concluSirely that q
meialic rod extending Adore The surface de-
sired to be protected, and terminating IN the
1rater, is sure and certain protection.
As to the extent OF the suriace which can
be deemed 10 be protected. we must have re.
course 10 the records OF the lightning, and
these are ample.
Buildings in blocks, OF various nights, are
often seen, and among such blocks are nu-
merous cases in which a building OF less
heighth has been struck by lightning. while
the next, and immediateately adjoining
building Of greater attitude, has escaped al
together. This was the case in Pine Apple
street, in Brooklyn, and in Pearl street, in
New York. We examined both of those
buildings with great care. Adjoining TO
each, and within 25 feet of where the light
ming struck, was building gilmore than ten
feet greater elevation.
Iron ships and iron boats, and iron bull
dings, are the best protection from light
ming.
Water thrown freely upon person struck
BY lightning, has in numerous cases restored
them TO activity, and this fact indicates the
Importance of lis use in all cases.
We have before frequently said, that iron
wire, of No. one size, weighing one pound
for every six ieer,i good lightning conduct
or and our desire, in so frequently repeating
This opinion, is not with wish 10 establish u
theory, but 10 show that protection against
damage by lightning may be had at a small
cost, and thereby most persons, from the
cheapness Of the rod, can avail themselves Of
this mode Of protection. We repeat-these
wires have never Jailed. and the cost is less
than a dollar for a single rod or 20 feet IN
length
We have expressed the opinion that bright
surfaces are preferable for lightning con
ductors to Ga-k surfaces; we still entertain
that opinion.
Oh fa- fn- in
which we would suggest as preferable in all
cases. lrhen a nell or cess POOLS assesdbte,-
il matters not whether the lower end is blunt
or pointed.
We have seen iron nails that led lightning
into the inside OF buildings, and others whcr.,
the lightning has followed the same con-
ductor out oil the building, and hence we
argue that iron staples designed for iasten-
ing rods TO the sides of dwellings,, are i'm
proper appeEdages to lightning conductors.
We sugges, this alteration in the position
Of the rods, viz:
1st. Thata rod should project six feet or
more above the centre of the ridge. making
A gradual bend lew inches above the roof
and follow the slant of the roof TO the cave
trough,-afler passing over that let il diverge
in It's farther descenr.so as 10 reach within four
feet Of the ground at distance Of twenty
feet from the building. at which point il may
be bent so as TO terminate in the water ola
well or cess-pool, and if neither are close by.
it may be extended 10 such termination by
running it along fence.
I'd Instead of leading the rods 10 the ends
of the building, along side Of chimney, let
them dverge from the chimney, the upper
point terminating in the atmosphere four feel
higher than the chimney, and six feet distant
from il, over portion of The roof OF the house
and when reaching The side Of the roof. LEI
the rod diverge from the roof so as 10 reach
within four feet of the ground: twenty feet or
more from the house, and terminate as in the
first case OF the centre ROT.
Sd, To bulIing fifty feet square, five rods
should be used, all cost not TO exceed five
dollars except putting mp. lf fifty feet long
and thirty feet wide, three rods are suffi-
cient.
In all cases terminate the rod in the water,
or deep in the ground, and lei the rod diverge
from The building in lis descent TO the ground.
Iron wire of No. | size, measuring SIX feet
TO the pound, costs in New-York six cents
per pound, or one cent per foot. This size
wire has never been known 10 fall-the cost
is so irfling, that it leaves no excuse IN neg |
Letting protection
A wire of this size will not support itself |
and should therefore have wooden support
over the roo. Where il is necessary 10 pass
a wire through staple, we should suggest
a tin tube, of six or more inches in length
When the tube is oftin, let it De in the shape
of hollow tube, and narrowest at the lowest
point, 50 as to aid the lightning on the way
past the points of the staple pointing in
ward.
Where tin spouts terminate above the
floors ofbasement rooms which are occupied. |
it would be well TO connect wire with such