Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-10-16
A Heavy ElcctricaI Discharge.

oN M0Eudy, Juue Is, OuTluS a severe CnQEupT
Storm the great chimney OF the Pacific Mills at
Lawrence. Mass, was shattered by an electrical
discharge, WHICH from many OF the attending
circumstances merits special consideration.
This chimney Is 22T feet high ana stands Ia the
yard OF the corporation, about ninety feet from
the mills. The discharge took place at noon.
when many Of the operatives we're absent at
dinner The stroke was probably downward
from the cloud to the earth, although from
the circumstance that the trajectory OF the
nyirg masonry was upwatd at an angle OF
twenty-five degrees, II was thought by some
that the discharge was in the opposite direc-
top. An immense furr1w was ploughed out
OF the brick structure from the top, comnenc-
Ing at the cap and extending to within eighteen
two chambers, one for the conveyance OF tle
smoke and gases, the other an annular space
around the fiue, foot or more IN width. Tle
inner cone was not injured, the whole damage
being confined to the outer wall, on the side TO-
ward the buildings. The path Of the discharge,
as indicated by the removal OF brick. was about
four feet wide, and extended inward to the depth
OF one and half bricks. The whole OF this In
meDse amount Of brick and mortar, weighing
more than fifty tons, was tnstantaneously dis
lion OF the mills. almost darkening the air in
their passage. Tons were thrown into the
buildings through the windows, smashing glass
and frames; and some bricks it is stated, were
thrown over the buildings into the river, two
hundred yards distant. Several bricks came
crashing through the windows of the Office Of
the corporation situated at right angles with
iuC ICut III IuC CululuCy, duQ UlC CicihS GILL
ployed had narrow escapes from injury. Only
three persons were struck, and the Injuries were
not serious.
1t is obvious that we have here an exhibition
OF electrical force OF no ordinary character and
the event Is one OF unusual interest. The in
Quiry arises as 70 the nature Of this force and
the condition -lder which it is manifested;
and here we vi state what is probably new to
many, that electricity In itself Is Incapable OF
producing directly such destructive results.
Electricity Is but mode OF motion, and II any
fhatt dc ~ n l1riln
posing matter as does cannon ball discharged
from gun, he is In error. All the effects no.
ttced In this singular Instance were secondary.
In the effort to establish equilibrium OF the elec-
trtcal forces, the great chimney was taken as a
part OF the pathway, and 1t being an imperfect
conductor. In struggling through or over 1t an
enormous amount OF heat was developed, and
this heat all the destructive effects were due.
The motion, which In this case assumed til
form OF electricity. caused development
great heat. How did the heat cause the mis-.
chief? By its high intensity 1t Instantly changed
into steam the moisture contained In the NOR
Tar and on the surface of the bricks: and thi
steam OF high tension did in the chimney wha
1t would do In boiler, II the boiler was no
strong enough to hold lit rent the chlmney
as It would have rent the boiler, and threw the
fragments at great distances Therefore steam
was the direct cause of this exhibition OF force
II the structure had been OF copper, or iron, }
special Indication of force would have been OBJ
served, as but little resistance 20 the electrical
motion would have been made. It is this resist
ance, this bad road for the agent, which causes
Ine neat. II good sized copper or iron rod,
Win proper connections. had been placed on che
the lightning.
In order TO ascertain the source OF the mols-
tuIe when caused the steam. fragment Of
mortar TAKEN nom the chimney was subjected
60 &C. examination, and 1t was found to contain q
uttie more tnan seven per centum OF water OF
nydratlon; thus In q hundred pounds OF mortar
there would be more than seven pounds OF fixe1
water. and this mashed into steam would afford
an immense volume OF high tension.-DostoR