The Portland daily press., 1888-11-21
DANCER FROM SEA AND SKY.
A Storm Beaten Ship Threatened
with Destruction by Lightning.

New YORK, Nov. 19.-Tbe Swedish shiI
Edward, which arrived here today from
Havre, reports having been struck by a ter
rible electric storm on the morning of Oct
81. in lat. 410 40, long $40 49,. 1t was before
dawn. and the entire crew was at work brac.
ing the main yard. The ship was scuddine
along close reefed before strong gale wher
the phenomena occurred The story is best
told in Captain Akermark's own language
He is an intelligent mariner, and has sailed
the high seas for over 80 years.
I'VE sailed from Havre on Oct. o." said he
I'VE had easterly winds until we sighted the
banks. and then heavy nor'easter STRUCK
us. 1t blew great guns, and we were com
pelled to scud before it under bare poles
The seas were heavy, and knocked my little
ship about as though it had been jollyboat
The storm continued until we reached the
gulf stream. Fair weather, with moderate
breezes and light seas, was then encountered
until the afternoon Of October 80. On that
night the wind came from the eastward al.
most gale. kicking up an ugly sea- The
sky was dirty, and away off in the southwes;
we could hear loud peals Of thunder and see
vivid flashes of lightning.
The sky grew darker as morning adyapc-
ed, and the lightning and thunder drew near
er. The wind was just hauling from east to
north and blowing gale, but all the light
ming seemed to be in the southwest. About
seven bells in the morning, or $50 by the
clock, 1t was directly over the ship. 1 had
just ordered the men to brace the main yard,
when their work was suddenly interrupted
by a loud crash of thunder followed by an
explosion like that of Il thousand cannon.
The lightning struck the main rigging direct
af ha
ball of fire just like a shell bobbed about the
rigging and then exploded. 1t was some
thing sublime. although terrifying.
when the ball of fire exploded, streaks
OF lurid flame darted in every direction, 1t
was just like the falling of a multitude of
stars. For miles around the sea was illum-
mated, and every cord in our rigging shone
like strand of silver. The brilliancy was
but momentary, however, and we were left
In darkness to contemplate our thrilling
position. det
I'm less than five minutes, however. and
before we had recovered from the shock of
the previous bolt, another terrible flash of
lightning, followed by another explosion and
anorher ball OF fire, augmented our terror,
ana sent US scurrying In every direction for
shelter We were all thoroughly frightened.
The crew could not do any work. But our
1ears and astonishmenJ were destined to be
still further increased. Just as we were
getting on our feet again, and thanking God
was another thrilling display. l was stand
ing on the quarter deck, and the men were
about to attempt again to brace the main
yard.
Suddenly and with a terrible sound a
flash Of lightning broke right above the main
rigging, and out of it we could see another
ball OF fire playing above the rigging from
the starboard side right over to the port. 1t
too exploded, but with noise and scattering
OF flaming fragments which sent the previ
GUS ones into comparative insignifeauce. /
was dazed, and when recovered sight and
sense not one of my men were on their feet
Some were tumbling about on top of each
stretched on their backs as though they had
been struck dead.
"One by one they got over the shock and
fright. The second mate could not speak
for several hours, and the whole work of
keeping the vessel before the wind devolved
on me and the first officer, who fortunately
was not right under where the balls of fire
exploded. The shock to the ship was terrific,
and the timbers cracked each time we were
struck
''As soon as the crew were able to gee
around made thorough examination of
the vessel and rigging. 1t was not injured in
the least, and showed no signs whatever of
the awful fusilade. The crew were all right
in a day or so, but Second Officer Kjellberg
who was among those stunned. Complained
for several days of severe pain in the
stomach, but now he is as hale and hearty as
ever.
Il have been in many storms during my
long career on the sea, but never before had
such an experience. We frequently meet
these electrical displays. but | have never
heard OF one of the intensity of this. My yes
sci was loaded with iIon ore. and this may
have acted as magnet to attract the meteors
or whatever you may call them."