LIGHTNING AND LIGHTNING CONDUCTORS. 1 1 



of continuity in the metallic channel, which will always allow 

 of explosion when lightning discharges traverse conductors 

 made up of metallic plates. Hence the separation of " the 

 plates of copper forming the conductor" of the main-mast ot 

 the Fisgard (41), and of those also in the branch conductors 

 as well as the starting of the copper bands from the exterior 

 ends of the through bolts, and the bulging outwards of the 

 copper sheathing (69), were results that might easily have 

 been foreseen as some of the natural consequences of such 

 explosions. 



74. But if an ordinary discharge of lightning is capable of 

 producing such fearful explosions within the ship, and ruptures 

 in the conductors and copper sheathing, we have only to allow 

 of a second discharge of lightning to strike the ship before 

 the injured conductors were repaired, to form a picture in the 

 mind of the serious consequences likely to ensue. Ruptures 

 partially accomplished by the first discharge would be com- 

 pleted by the second, and former breaches would be widened ; 

 and many dangerous explosions, both above and below deck, 

 would probably take place. 



75. Should this plan of conductors be introduced to the 

 merchant navy, there would be no predicting the evils that 

 might arise, even from the first flash of lightning that tra- 

 versed them, especially when the cargoes consisted of cotton- 

 wool, hemp, flax, &c, close jambed against the branch 

 conductors at those places most likely to experience explo- 

 sions. And as it would be next to impossible to accomplish 

 a minute inspection of these branch conductors when most 

 necessary, the chances of avoiding danger from subsequent 

 strokes of lightning would be much less than in men-of-war, 

 where every facility for discovering breaches in the conduc- 

 tors, and of repairing them by competent hands, is always 

 afforded. 



76. It appears, therefore, from a due consideration of all 

 the facts that experience has hitherto furnished, that there 



