A Vessel Struck by Lightning.

Feilding Star, Volume XVII, Issue 144, 17 December 1895, Page 2

A Vessel Struck by Lightning.

The barque Seriol Wyn which recently loaded wheat at Streaky Bay, (South Australia), arrived at Capetown on October 18, after an exciting voyage. Tbe vessel met wi'.h a series of heavy gales aher leaving the Australian coast, and, was subjected to very rough handling. During-one storm she was thrown on her beam ends, and narrowly escaped foundering. At a later period of the voyage the barque encountered a terrific thunderstorm accompanied by a display of electric phenomenon. The captain thus describes the experience :— " The lightning seemed to flash from all quarters at once, lighting up the scene of rag ing waters with weird radiance, whilst tbe howling of the wind through the rig{?iog and the booming of the thunder combined to inspire a feeling of awe amongst the seamen, all of whom were huddled together on the port side of the poop seeking what little ehelter they could find. A flash ot lightning broke out of tbe clouds close to the snip, and a track of light dashed towards tbe main topmost backstays, then with a deafening report, accompanied by a volume of flame and a shower of sparks in all directions, the bolt burst. Not a man on board but felt that moment might be his last* Everyone expected to see tbe mainmast come tunbling down over their heads, Next day a minute inspection failed to discover a trace of damage."