The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-06-28
BRIDGE TOWER SPOUTED FIRE.
Was II Struck or Did II Make Lightningf
-BrOOklyn Storm News.

Williamsburg caught the full brunt Of yes
terday's d-afternoon thunderstorm After
the first close fash and when tho rain began to
fall the workmen on the Williamsburg side Of
the new East River Bridge tower made lively
time to get to earth. and IL was probably for
tunate for them that they did 30. The tower,
which has reached the Height Of nearly three
hundred feet. Ia OF steel. and Us a conductor OF
electricity probably not surpassed by anything
In the city. Whether II was struck or not.
however. IL a matter OF discussion. IL GER
tainly got a charge Of electricity. but just how
isn't certain.
People massed in the Broadway doorways
waiting for the rain 70 stop saw just at the
height Of the storm what appeared 10 be O
triple discharge Of electricity from the pro-
jecting length Of one Of the great perpendicular
steel beams Of the uncompleted tower. There
was a clap Of thunder, but it was not Of the
deafening sort that is heard when an object
near by is struck. and most Of those who saw
the occurrence say that the lightning came
not to the steel beam. but from. ~, II seemed
TO come In three distinct and vivid dischar ges
and to be ~dissipated In the air. II was suR-
gested that the various angles OF the towel
had been. absorbing the electricity from the
air and that the electric fluid had been sud-
denly thrown of In response to attraction from
the thunder cloud. Some OF the spectators
declare they heard a deep. hummlng note
which they supposed to be caused by the Tbra-
ton Of the steel beam. Others did not notice
this, The tower was not damaged. but the
workmen we're chary Of venturing back upon
il until the storm was we'll past, and when
another black cloud was seen approaching
later they climbed down with more haste than
before.
Three MINUTES after the queer display on
the tower there was a dazzling fash Of light
ming. coincident with a stunning thunder clap.
Some people declared that the tower had been
struck this time. but there were no marks left
to indicate II.
A lightning bolt struck the trolley pole of
car $50 of the Franklin avenue line at Division
and Wythe avenues. The car was crowded.
most OF the passengers going TO Prospect Park.
So great was the crash that for several moments
there was a binding fash of light. The pas
sangers were stunned and the motorman re-
ceived an electric shock which threw him back
ward. When the passengers recovered from
their fright they jumped from the car. Miss
Alice Farmer, n public school teacher, of ~
Hooper street, landed on her head and be-
sides receiving a scalp wound had conclusion
Of the brain. Miss Ida Wheaton OF Ill Rut-
ledge street was stricken with heart failure.
Both young women were carried into a store
and a call for an ambulance was sent 10 the
Eastern District Hospital. Both were taken
home.
The big faepole tina, stands on the hill back
Of the martyrs tomb in Fort Greene, Brooklyn,
was struck by lightning during the storm and
the upper part was shattered and the pole was
loosened at the base. IL Is in a dangerous con-
dition and will b. removed to-day.