The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1895-07-17
Dangers From Lightning.


The Department Of Agriculture has
| lust issued bulletin by Alexander
McAdle, of the Weather Bureau, on
| the subjectof "Protection from Light
| ning," which is Of rather more interest
than the usual run of such publica,
| tions. Since 1891 the Weather Bureau
observers have carefully investigated
all reports Of deaths, fires, and other
accidents from lightning, and the con-
clusions deduced therefrom by the
author are sure to attract attention.
In the first place Mr.. McAdie shows
that the danger from lightning is not
imaginary. An immense amount of
property is destroyed and many lives
taken by this subtle agent every year.
The Weather Bureau records do not
contain any figures as to the loss OF
property, but the "Chronicle Fire
Table," compiled from reports Of fire
departments, insurance companies, and
the press, have very full and reliable
estimates. According to them there
occurred in the United States during
the nine years, ending 1893, no less
than 4,175 such fires with an aggregate
loss Of $14,309, ,015. During the 10
years, ending 1893, there were 2,679
barns, 831 dwellings, and 129 churches
struck by lightning. A curious cir
cumstance observed, but not explain
ed, is that there have been notable in
creases in accidents from lightning in
certain States. Connecticut, Illinois,
Maine, Massachusetts,, New York and
Michigan, for instance, report many
more than Alabama, Arkansas, Ken
lucky or California.
For 1894 the bureau records are
very full. During the year 336 per-
sons were killed and 351 severely in
iured, besides which 268 barns were
struck, with damage Of s4O7, 800; SO
churches were also struck, damage un:
known, and 261 dwellings and several
oil tanks, factories, and elevators, the
total damage to these amounting to
not less than 1851, 900. The great
bulk of these casualties happened dur.
ing the months of June, July and
August, but there were two fatalities
during February; and January, Novem-
Der and December were the only pc
riods exempted.
Many interesting points were MOTTO
ed. For instance, the risk in thickly
settled places is light. There is but
little need for lightning rods in towns.
The oak tree is the most frequent vic
tim in the forest, the beech the least.
Trees struck are generally on the edge
of forests or out in the clear, and their
height averages from So to 62 feet.
The proportion or susceptibility to
lightning, if the beech be represented
by 1, will be Is for the fines, 40 fol
other trees, and 81 for oaks.
Mr.. McAdie is a believer in the
lightning rod, but he shows how wide,
" authorities differ as to the value OF
these conductors. He insists that
the rods be of good iron or copper, and
that they should be as well ground
ed as possible. If the rod be near
gas or water mains, it should be con-
nected with them; but an Independent
"ground' is preferable to the mains.
The top of the rod ought to be pro,
tected from rust.
In spite of the old proverb to the
contrary, lightning does often strike
| twice in the same place. 1t is unwise
to stand under trees during thunder
storms, in the doorways Of barns, close
to cattle, or near chimneys or fire.
places. On the other hand, it is not
worth while to try to insulate ones s
self in a feather bed.
The fatality of the shocks from
lightning strokes is an interesting con,
sideration. The only record the au-
| thor knows of is that of 2l2 persons
struck "a were killed. Of 43 victims
20 were struck in doors and % outside,
| four being under trees. It is certain
that in many cases death is not instan.
tandous, but animation is suspended
and the patient may die unless pro-
perly treated at once. All the author
ities advise that every effort be resort,
| ed to restore respiration, and this
should be kept up at least an hour if
the victim does not show signs OF re-
covery sooner.
The subject of accidents from light
ming is curious and singularly fasci,
mating one. Many people, women es:
pecially, have the greatest dread OF
| thunder storms, and no amount of rea,
soning can give them courage. Yet
it may be said that while it is true, as
Mr.. McAdie observes, that the danger
from lightning is real one, SO also il
| the peril from falling walls and build
ings. And if lightning be more deadly
in the country there are more walls
and buildings in cities, and these
ought to be looked out for. A care
less hodcarrier or mason may let DROP
brick upon passer at any time.
Only last week man recovered $6,,
500 from warehouse in this city be.
cause shutter fell on his head as he
was passing by. If all such CASUAL:
ties were compiled the number would
probably equal those from lightning
Still, Mr.. McAdie's publication is an
interesting and valuable little treatise.
and it's suggestions can do no harm.