The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-07-12
THE DAILY DISPATCH.
WEDNESDAY MORNING. JULY u, 1854.
ECTRIClTY AND LIGHTNING RODS.

ELECTRICITY AND LIGHTNING RODS.
An intelligent female correspondent, whose sic.
nature Is NJ. N. D., sends US the folio wing valuable
hints relative to thunder storms, and the proper
of lightning rods
The fact that buildings furnished with lightning
rode, are sometimes struck by the electric fud has
caused dstrust Ia the minds OF some but little &C.
quainted with the science of electricity, to their
eiicacy 10 avertng danger. The true state OF the
case however, h. that owing either to some casu-
atty or TO ignorance, lightning rods may be render
ed useless, or may even be converted into the cause
Of the very evil they are designed to avert.
AZ building and the repairing OF dwelling houses
10 going on 90 extensively in Richmond at this time
when we are peculiarly liable to violent thunder
storms, short chapter on lightning rods may not
be inappropriate.
In the first place, every building should have a
lightning rod unless ii IL very much lower than
those contiguous 10 it, and so situated as to be pro-
tected by the rods upon them.
If building lie Of any considerable length, it
should be furnished with two or more rods.
II Il is high, and has several gables, each ga
Bile should have one; particularly II 1t stands in
open space. The power of rod is supposed not
TO extend much above twenty feet.
The lightning rods OF the most approved con-
struction and In the srictest accordance with phi
losophical principles, are composed of small
square rods, similar to nail rods. These are twist
ed 90 ~ to multiply the sharp surfaces presented for
collecting the fiuid. They run over the building
and down each Of the corners; presenting many
10 particularly desirable for very lofty buildings.
for those upon the sea coast or standing upon open
plains.
Secondly A lightning rod should rise several feet
above the building and the lower end should pass
down some inches below the surface otthe ground.
Thirdly. The points of the lightning rods should
be tipped with gold or platina-the latter L. now
preferred. But as even these metals are liable to
oxidation by powerful and often repeated action OF
the electric fluid, the rods should be examined at
intervals to ascertain If the coating upon them re.
tains its ustre, and also that the points have not
become blunted.
Lastly Care should be taken that any painter
employed upon the outside OF the building, does
not touch hisbrush TO the rod Much of the destruc
ton by lightning, of wooden buildings furnished
with rods, Ia probably attributable to the desire
which certain painters, according to common
phrase mare nice than rise, have entertained, OF
preventing the rod from marring with its black line
the delicate uniformity OF the surface. The follow
ing fact may seem to illustrate the effects OF this
proceedings
new Church in WalIham, Mass, was some
years since struck by lightning and consumed. The
circumstance occasoned much Rrise, as the ed.
of undoubted authenticity. 1t was afterward as
certained that the painter employed upon the out
side had painted the rod also, about half way up
the building. At this stage OF his work, gentle
man, stranger who was visiting in the town, walk
ed out to see the new church. and questioned the
painter as to why he did it. The man replied that
ne wished TO make il look well as possible The
gentleman told him tina. it would never do, for the
paint which was a metallic oxide was non-con-
ductor of electricity, and would entirely defeat the
object of the rod
The man attended to these observations and de.
sisted from painting the rod, but neglected to re-
move the paint already upon it; and as no one hap
pened to observe what had been done, the church
actually stood with conductor to bring the light
crFf oil, AnIa 1pd tIIflt
electricity passed over the house; the points re.
ceived the fluid and 1t passed quietly down, till it
arrived at the part which had been painted, when
1t darted off at a right angle to some more attrac-
tive metal in the wall of the church. and the whole
building was soon in flames
RICHMOND, VA, July 7ih. NJ. NJ. d.