New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-07

LIGHTNING RODS.

| The importance of the scientific construction
and adjustment OF lightning rods ~ lucldy explained
| and f0rcbly urged in the following communication
made by gentleman Of great practical ability ana eX
perionce who has devoted much time ana study 10 hr
| particular subject:
| ID. A HEAD esq: Dear SH-In reply to your favor
OF the 18th ns have To say mat 80 lar ~ Know ana
believe, there has never been loss ny hre rom ns
ming on any building provided with lShtnng RODS 'ceh
| tncally applied.
ton Of buildings and their inmates from lightning, hy
the OF the proper means has now been uniformly az
tanned for period OF about forty years, both m rus
country and abroad This of the practice Of the
late Dr. King Of Boston, and his successor, VIM A. Or
cutt and of the late A. NJ Qumby and his successor IN
New-Iork yet damage by lightning Of constant recul-
to buildings having socaed lightning rods upon
them; and thereupon the question has arisen IN some
ming rods.
The answer to this question is included in the follow
ing statement of facts which have been established by
careful professional experiment, observation ana III
quiry, extending through period of many years.
the exercise scientific skill and judgment in deermn
ing the and of the exposure 10 lightning Of
the building to he protected, and ia arranging ana adapt
ing the lightning rods to meet the particular circlm
stances of the and that lightning RODS so erected
have never in any instance failed to at0rd complete pro-
lection
I'd That lightning rods improperly constructed or ar
ranged upon buildings increase the dancer rom gh
ming our records showing larger number OF cases OF
damage by lightning TO buildings having s9caled lsh
ming rods than 10 buildings without any rOds
This is easily accounted for In view OF the manner IN
which the lightning rod business Is largely conducted
1t Is the practice of several parties who have obtained
patents for different and more or ess groesque modhr
lions construction of lightning rods 10 employ men
10 peddle them the country, TO sell them 10
pcdders These men being destitute OF scehtl1c koN-
edge, and also utterly irresponsible sell patent ghu
rods a sort of specific against lightning precisely a.
they quack medicine; and the legitimate results
OF laundering ignorance, bOth IN the construction OF IoS
and the application of them to buildings, are the
frequent accidents" from lightning to buildings having
rods
Several patents have been granted for forms OF nsua
tors, and rule peddles very strenuous III assert
ing the necessity insulating the rod whereas the fact
DR. NOad observes, the pracnce Of Insulation Il
not only useless but di,adyanageOus." As SIT William
Snow Harris says We cannot apply Il conductor TOO
closely the walls of the building which we desire 10
defend" without further quotations, II l. slihclcnt 10
that the practice Of insulation Is contrary 10 all
standard scientific authorities
Several patents have been granted for modes OF eN
tending the surface OF rods hollow rods stIr-shaped
rods, &C. &c As il stated IN q sensible article IN the
current number OF The IcchHOiOgiSf, page 1853, the en-
cheney lightning conductor depends upon the area OF
It's cross section ana not upon Us surface
But although there Is much more To he sad upon me
subject this letter j. growing too long To conclude with
a general statement: in construction and Application
lightning rods should be simple, sui Stantal ana durable,
any tai il sufficiently good conductor for the
purpose The difference the conducting Of iron
and water, which ranks next to the metals cunduc
tor is, according to Cayendish millions To unity The
relative conducting of different metals Is Therefore
not worth considering in this connection Hence IRON i
used for the telegraph instead OF copper, which II tneO
Tetically better conductor \ lightning rod made OF
the precious metals which the best conductors would
not be effective II IL improperly located aud
ranged If rod OF metal he rightly constructed aud
judciOusy applied there is danger of discharge OF
lightning leaving II TOR any less perfect conductor within
the building The lightning rod should nave an intimate
connection with all matter in the vicinity, and be con
trved have the attaiuable capacity Ia pro
and facilitate the circulation of raretcd cectrctv
as If possible, 10 fOresta the discharge rs restoring
the equilibrium silently Very truly yOuf>.
AcT York, June IL, ISL EDw. l.. Quincy.
THE Insurance Times.