New-York tribune., 1874-07-18
DO LIGHTNING-RODS PROTECT'
A CASE OF INCOMPLETE INsULNrION-rWo PEOPLE
STUNNED BY THE SHOCK.

STUNNED BY THE SHOCK.
To the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: The question as to whether lightning
rods dangerous or protective In their Influence Is
brought sharply to the front" by the following incl
dent: house in Astoria was struck by lightning on
Saturday evening, July IL, and two persons Knocked
senseess although their injuries not fatal. The
family several In number, during the storm was assem-
bled in the rear room situated at the south
east corner OF the house the victims the
time sitting on chairs and leaning back touching
their shoulders against the wall which Is OF stone and
was less dampened by the water The rain was
falling in torrents, and tho moment the crash came
the front door bell at the northwest corner OF the house
was rung violently, the decreasing split and burst
asunder, while the lower pane5 Of glass in the side
lights and near the floor shattered into thousand
uieces The house il two-story basement structure,
and was protected O by what considered first
class ghtningrod with the lower end well buried in
the ground alongside the foundation wall az the south
east corner OF the house the rod bifurcaed upon the
roof and extended the chmneys the sonth side,
and terminated in single sharp points about Tour OF dive
feet above the chimney toy.
pass because the damage done the Inmates occurred at
one where the rod penetrated the ground, while
clusiyey TO the corner diagonally opposite. The
house has metallic roof ana ls covered
with several heavy coats OF welldred paint
the rod passes through the ordinary glass ring insul
tors and held well from contact with the roof aud
sides of the house by rnged spikes cnclrcng the glass
iusuatOrs all In good condition. The recent sur
cienty dampened the ground where the rod enters It,.
Upon examination the next morning, IL was found that
around each of these spikes, where II was driven
into the roof the hardened paint completely scaled
on showing fractured patches with fresh edges denud
ing the metal ana indicating plainly the points ot de-
parture when portion least the electric
rent escaped the Overcharged rod and spread itself
over the roof. Other houses, unprotected 90 by
lightning rods situated to the windward IN the direct
hue OF the storm, escaped unharmed. Therefore one
fact seems IndisputaOle: the rods upon this house
served 10 attract the charge from the Clouds and the
evidence furnished by the violent rupture, which laid
bare the metallic roof at the spots mentioned above,
and the damage dOle az remote corners OF
the house. prove couclusivey that the nsula
ton IN tuls incomplete, thus providing Two
avenues OF escape.
t may easily be understood how the electric current
may escape from Oyerchtrg-d rod, during delugnK
shHwef which thoroughly drtnChes the places or attach
ment 10 a building, thereby fGmng "connecton"
outside the rod Similar phenomena are often observed
by telegraph operators; but the query legtlmately
arises whether "a rod completely Insulated. say by non
conducting coat ike ocean cable, may nor, under
some circumstances, become an actual element OF
danger Might not such rod become 50 surchargvd
with electricity that even when well " grounded" 1t
would convey dangerous shock TO any one situated III
close proximity the spot when 1t enters the earth
Should lightning be elassed as eXtri-hazard-
ousf a H. hohuAN'
Ner IOTk, July IS, 1874