The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-06-03

Then it left the rod, passed through
twenty feet OF air space to a water pipe
and broke a washstand. Six years later
the same thing was repeated in every de-
tail, the electricity leaving the rod at the
same point, jumping to the water pipe
and smashing to pieces the washstand,
which had not been mended The Church
of the Incarnation here was badly hit
some time back. To prevent a repetition
of the accident the edihce was protected
by very elaborate and costly system of
rods The most important rod, Of course,
protects the steeple 1t ought to termi-
nate IN a sharp point; but the church au-
thorities thought it more appropriate
that it should be surmOunted by a cross
on top of which was placed a rooster
Thus the usefulness of the defensive con
trivance has been almost wholly de-
stroyed, for so 1t stands at present.
OPPOSED TO THE LIGHTNING ROD.
The introduction of lightning rods in
Roman Catholic countries was strongly
opposed on religious grounds. Fious per-
sons declared that the devices were of
the devil and called them ''heretic rods
1t was a long time before the churches
would adopt them, though buildings of
that description have always been the
greatest sufferers from celestial fire, on
account Of their tall steeples. During the
thia was struck so often that services
were discontinued during the summer
months. II was hit four or five times a
year on an average. In l11S a rod was
put on and there was no further trouble
At Stratsund, in Pomerania, a church
was the scene of a very appalling occur
renee. On sunday, the building being
full of people, a ball Of fire entered and
fell upon the altar, thereupon exploding
and doing great damage. AS to the ma
ture OF phenomena of this sort science
knows almost nothing. Such globul9r
lightning is seen quite often, but nobody
can guess how it is formed. All that can
be said is that IL Is electricity very highly
concentrated Balls OF lightning are
sometimes seen rolling along the surface
OF the sea. Occasionally they strike YES
sets. AS rule, they burst violently,
with a loud noise and disastrous effects.
The Washington monument would have
/ been destroyed py Lightning long ago but
/ for the pro- lection Afforded by the most
complete and admirable arrangement of
conductors ever devised Standing 555
feet high, in the middle of a wide space
of Hat ground, the gigantic obelisk is dan
gerously exposed The apex is sur
mounted by an aluminium cap, which is
connected with rods that pass down into
a well coo feet below and beneath the
. water level. On April 5, 1855, during the
passage Of a heavy thunder cloud five i'm
mense bolts of electricity were seen to
fash between the monument and the
cloud within twenty minutes. No dam
age was done. Two months later, on June
b, the obelisk received a tremendous
stroSe, which slightly cracked one OF the
stones at the top, but the injury was of
no importance.
Big ships nowadays are usually
equipped with a systemof conductors run
ming down the masts ana so arranged as
10 carry off lightning into the sea. In old
times fire from the skies was one of the
most serious perils that threatened mari
ners. During fifty years, from 1890 to
1870 no fewer than 2S0 vessels OF the
British navy were struck, causing a loss
Of $'5O,O00, killing 90 men and badly in
juring 250 more. When the protected ship
Is hit The electricity passes down the mast
into the ocean, as water runs down pipe
She may reel under the blow, but no dam
age results. One Of the most severe en-
counters was that of H. NJ. S. Hisgard,
. which received such a tremendous dis
charge that the vessel appeared to be
covered with fire. Al the same moment
[ there was an explosion as if q broa side
I had been fired from each side of the ship
/ She suffered no injury Lightning has
| been known to produce a secret burning
| ln the heart of masses Of timber In 1894
! the Dictator, siEty-lOur guns, was struck
al MAJ Unique. Two days later smoke