The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-03-06

na>~rv,aar PAsnounsnon I'm Maane-Thunder ard
LAghtnlng Snow Storm.
The snow storm accompanied by lightning, which
occurred here on the 18th inst, says the Bangor
Mercury Of Feb. rs, we have already alluded TO.
John 8. Dodge, writing from Bass Harbor, Mount
Desert, to the Fountain and Journal describes the
same storm, a. it appeared there, as awful and
sublime. He says thunder cloud passed over the
place, which, for terrific appearance exceeded any
thing ever witnessed there. II had been stormy al
day, and had blown gale At seven p NJ. it
ceased blowing, and flashes Of lightning commenced
and soon thunder was heard, and at halfpast seven
O'Clock the scene was grand and awful beyond de-
M. Dodge thus describes the affair and the in
jurios:-The lightning was OF purple color, and
sometimes appeared like balls of fire, coming in
In through windows and doors, and down the chin
neys, while the houses trembled and shook to their
very foundations.
Mrs. e. Holden was near window winding up
q clock; ball Of fire came in through the window
and struck her hand which benumbed her hand and
arm She then with all in the house retreated into
the entry. Another flash succeeded and in the room
from which they had retired resembled a volume of
fire. whiriing round and producing cracking noise.
smiMr appearance Of fire was seen, and cracking
noises were heard, in large number of the houses
Some, who heard the noise say that it sounded like
breaking glass.
Captain Maurice Rich had his light extinguished
and his wife was injured He got his wife on to
bed and found match; at that instant another
fash came and ignited the match and threw him
several feet backwards John l.. Martin received 30
severe q shock that he could not speak for long
time.
great many persons were slightly injured. Some
were struck in the feet some in the eye while others
were electrified, some powerfully and some lightly.
But what was very singular not person was killed
Or seriously injured, or building damaged but q
cluster OF trees, within few rods of two dwelling
houses, was not thus fortunate. The electric fluid
came down among them, taking them out by the
roots, with stones and earth, and throwing all in
every direction. Some were left hanging by their
roots nom the tops Of the adjacent standing trees
roots up, tops down.
The lightning after entering the earth to the depth
Of several feet and for q space some eight or ten
feet in diameter diverged into four different drec-
tons. One course which it took led through the
open land. making chasm to the depth Of several
feet, and continued its march, unobstructed BY the
solid frozen ground or any other substance, to the
distance of $40 feet lifting, overturning and throw
ing out junks Of frozen earth, some Of which were
ten or eleven feet long by four feet wde and hurting
ct distance rocks, stones and roots. The power
here displayed was truly awful, and had it fallen on
building it would have thrown it, with its inmates
into ten thousand fragments. It really seems that
Gods mercy is manifested in sparing lives amidst
such dangers and destruction And whilst we thus
enjoy bis mercies, 0, that might be duly affected
with gratitude of heart.
understand that in South West Harbor and
North East Harbor, Tin this island) several vessels
bad their masts rent in pieces; one had some plank
torn from her, and one man was knocked down. but
not killed.