The Union and eastern journal. [volume] (Biddeford [Me.]) 1854-1858, 1856-08-22
Lightning Rods.
The Editor Of'the Telegraph /:

wish, through the columns Of your val
liable paper, to call the attention of those
who arc interested in the subject Of light
ming and lightning rods, to u singular freak
of that subtle fluid on my house during the
storm of Friday night.
About half-past eleven the fluid struck the
rod and run down till il came to the flsten-
ers on the north side of the house, when it
left the main rod and passed through over
the fasteners into the house, tearing all be.
fore 1t; one-half of it passing through the
house, and making its escape through the
front dOor,-thc other passing down the
pump into the cistern in the cellar.
These fasteners consist Of an iron hook
cldsped round a glass tube, ,rhieh eneireies The
rod at erey JOINT.
Now if glass tubes will not protect the
fasteners, what will? II is evident that part
of the fluid passed down the rod into the
earth, and why one part should leave the
main rod and take to the fasteners,is a mys-
terry to all who have SCENT. Will some one
of your readers throw little light upon the
subject, rs IL is important in this era oil
frightful thunder storms, that all should
know whether their lightning rods are Sc
cure or not.'
We narrowly escaped instant death from
this storm, and If there is no better protcc-
ton than these rods afford, we are better
without them, lfs,mc one will suggest u
better protection, they will confer favor
upon your humble reader,
A. X. ALLARD.
Aug. IL, 1856.
The great amount Of damage done recent
ly by lightning has called attention. Us 1t
should, to the protection Of buildings by the
use Of lightning conductors. 1t is all inn
portant that the rod used should be one that
will give protection. A scientific writer
suggests something which may answer the
inquiry started by tho letter we have copied
above. He says: ..r...
Lightning conductors for buildings
should be attached to the most prominent
parts of the building, and the insulation
should be perfect, which cannot DO the case
when the conductor passes throuyhhe rSsu-
LAToR, as it Is continually liable to DO brok-
en- by an excessive, or even moderate, dis
charge of electricity, suddenly expanding
the glass and splitting it; it drops out and
leaves the rod in full connection with the
iron fastening in the wall (thc same result
is produced by the expansion Of the snow
and water that fill, and freeze in them during
the winter.) Further this method of fls-
tening, and insulation is Objectionable, rs
retaining the water which generally flows
down the rod during thunder shower. and
overilows the glass rings, thereby offering
tho fluid ready means of leaving tho con-
ductor, and passing into the building on the
iron fastening" 80 a. ,. sr-
Now any rod insulated so as to obviatc the
objection made in tho above, would seem to
b. the most desirable one, indeed the only
one that would give perfect protection, and
in this connection we would call public at
tention to Otis Patent lnsulator hich
fully meets the case, and has withal been
ound to answer the purpose, afiordins in
III cases perfect protection, as We learn
rom those who have made enquiries into the
natter. Our friends, tho firm Of Mcssrs. |
JLrAvrs and KmRlIL of this city, IRE put
ing up conductors with this insulator
trough the State, being the Agents for the
se of this insulator throughout the State
nd We would call the attention Of those
rishing to place conductors on their build
,ss to this patent, believing that il win
i've entire satisfaction, and protection in all
lscs. Messrs. .Cleavss and Kimball. are
sntlcmen OF established business reputa-
on, and high integrity, and their state. e
ents IN regard to the advantages OF the .
salator, they are using, will DO found cor Il
ct. O