Nashville daily patriot. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1855-1857, 1856-05-26
Water8pouIB.

The account Of the meeting Of the Brtish vessel
OF war, Electra, with waterspout in the Southern
seas and her wonderful escape from the danger IL
thrsatened has called 70 our mind the eIperimen ut
that has recently been made in this city by Dr. Bon
zano, with a view TO test the question whether or
not electricity be a and more practicable mode
Of guarding against the disastrous effects OF this
phenomenon. than the ordinary one OF firing Oh
cannon at their approach.
NGterspouts generally form on hot summer days
IN Southern climates and 10 calm weather They
never form on rainy days, or in windy weather
Sometimes they appear over the land, but most
usually the sea. Professor 0lmsIead describes
tbem consisting ofa dense black cloud depending
from the sky in cOnical form toward the earth
Sometimes they unit with q corresponding portion
ascending from below, thus forming a continuous
column from the surface Of the earth to the cloud.
They often discharge great quantities Of water,
whence their name.
DR.. BouEano argues from the effects OF electrical
attraction upon gases, and especially upon atmosphe
ric cir, that the formation aud disastrous effects oil
wstsrspouts may be prevented by the use Of the
lightning rod, and be has satisfied himself Of the
ldiy Of bis lheory by some experiments ola curious
and Interesting kind.
From the conductor Of q simple electrical una
chine he suspends by q wire, or chain, q small
wooden ball covered with tin foil and urder the
ball places metallic basin containing oil Of rurpen.
tine, at the distance Of about three quarters Of
inch. Tnsn be turns the handle OF the machine
slouly Uhen the liquid 10 the basin begins to move
different directions, and forms whirpools. As the
electricity 10 the conductor accumulated the trous
blsd liquor slevAtes itself in the centre, and, at
last, becomes attached 10 the ball. when the eectri-
city drawn from tie conductor. the liquid resumes
lie position, portion Of the turpentine remaining
attached the ball Turning the handle very slow
~, the few drops SO remaining assume = conieal
shape, with the apex upwards. uGtil both portions
meet As the liquid does not accumulate on the
ball. there must be as great current doWnwards
90 upwards, giving the column q rapid circular mo
Zion, continuing until the electricity from the con
ductor is nearly all discharged, silently, till IL is
discharged by spark descending into the liquid.
The same phenomenon takes place with oil water.
Using the latter, the ball must be brought much
nsaver or q much greater quantity Of electricity be
used TO raise IT,
Dr. Bonzsno describes this as q faithful miniature
representation Of the gradual formation, progress
and breaking up OF waterproof
II, be tells US. We swing the tin foil ball TO and
fro, the little waterproof travels over lie miniature
sea- carrying lis whirpools along with it, aud ~hen
breaks up, q portion OF the liquid, and with it
anything it may contAin. remain attached to the
ball And the hsh, seeds, leaves and other sub
stances that have fallen TO the earth In rain squalls
he Arguss, may have osed their elevation to the
clouds 70 the same that attaches the drops Of
nc id and their impure particles TO this little ball
II, IN this experiment. one blows on the surface
OF The hquii, the dischsrgs Of electricity from the
ball u 90 much facilitated prevent the elevation
Of the liquid entirely; or at least 90 retard Il very
much; and By holding pointed conductor near the
liquid, the elevation Of IL is entirely prevented And
% the conclusion Is arrived Al that the lighting rod
brought into contact With the wsterspout as Il IL
forming will furnish safeguard against us dangers
This description Of the doctors theory and cape.
rimsnts is necessarily imperfect and not entirely
lucid; bat 10 may furnish hint 20 those who are
fond Of such philosophical spscuatiOns 10 inquire
more particularly into the nature Of these phehom-
sna aud the besI Of guarding against the dis
sstrous efectS We believe De. BoaEzno, Who IL
oSs OF our fellow citizens. Is quite wiling 10 give
any information be possesses upon the subject