Source: Richmond Enquirer - Va
Dated: Oct. 28, 1823
NEW LONDON, (Connecticut) Oct. 13 - A cloud from the
Northwest, and another from the Southwest, met over this
city between 6 and 7 o'clock, on Monday evening last; when
commenced a most violent tempest of lightning, wind, hail
and rain - wind s. W.
The sloop Experiment, Capt. Henry Taber from New
Bedford, bound to New York, put in her for a Harb++, and had
just came to anchor by her chain cable, when the lightning
struck her topmast and descended her mast to the dock when
it passed to the water by her cable, which was secured round
her mast. A piece was split from her topmast, another
fourteen feet long from the mast near the top, and another
thick piece five feet long from the opposite side of the
mast, about 20 feet from the deck - no injury below deck.
The Capt. and four men were on deck, one standing near
the tiller, and rest forward, all were struck down,
evidently senseless for a few moments, as they did not hear
the thunder which accompanied the stroke. They soon
recovered. The Capt. had his foot upon the chain
cable, at the instant, but though struck down, experience no
lasting injury. - All are well. There were twelve or
fifteen passengers on board, most of them in the cabin, who
sustained no injury, but state the report accompanying the
lightning was louder than the heaviest cannon - The mast is
repairing, and being fished it is supposed will carry her to
New York.
After the Sloop was struck, amidst this w__ of
elements, a barn owned by Capt. John Way, containing
a quantity of hay, was struck by the lightning - The blaze
in a few minutes, was so great, as to give general notice of
the spot; and the most active citizens assembled with
alacrity(sp). The Engines were also there with the
greatest dispatch. It being impossible to save the
building, it was pulled down, and the fire subdued.
Thanks are due to Lieut. G__es, who immediately on
observing the fire, ordered a party of soldiers to our
assistance; who were among the _____ in extinguishing the
fire. - There were also, present, a number of the citizens
of Groton and Waterford, who are ever ready to reciprocate
exertion on similar occasions.
But first of all, we are indebted to a gracious
interposition? of Divine Providence, for the preservation of
all. Bank-street, and probably the greater past of the
city. The barn burnt, stood twelve feet __another,
large and full of hay, which very nearly adjoined other
buildings, contiguous to which is a rope-walk, containing a
quantity of hemp. At the time the fire was issuing
from every part of the building, when the intense heat
rendered it impossible for the firemen to sustain themselves
near it, and flakes of fire were falling on houses forty
rods distant - at this decisive moment, the glaring
lightning, the loud peals of thunder, and the furious wind
were stayed. A perfect calm succeeded, the clouds were
dissipated, and the moon gave her light. It was the
hand of the Diety. |
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