$6 On Electrical Phenomena observed at Sea , 
der is heard pealing from off the land, and the vivid lightning 
discloses at every flash, the scattered fleet, — in circumstances such 
as these is beautifully exemplified the orderly and determined 
resolution of the British seaman, whose precarious safety not only 
deserves, but claims, in the strongest terms, the ingenuity of ex- 
perimental philosophy in his behalf. 
Having thus briefly hinted at the extent of danger to which 
a man-of-war is liable, from the dreadful effects of the electric 
fluid, the mind is naturally roused to the contemplation of such 
plans or devices, as may tend in any way to counteract or pre- 
vent the repetition of such calamitous occurrences. The only 
one, as far as is consistent with my personal experience, that 
has ever been adopted in the Navy, is that of leading a metallic 
chain of thin short bars, as a conductor, pointed upwards at the 
track, and down by the back-stays to the water’s-edge ; and 
every large ship is either fitted with one of these, or may be sup- 
plied upon application. 
This apparatus is, of course, attached to the maintop-gallant- 
mast-head, as being the most lofty ; but it does not always fol- 
low, that the lightning is to strike in that direction, having 
once had the dreadful opportunity of witnessing, with my eyes 
fixed upon them at the moment, not less than fifteen most valu- 
able men, all upon the bowsprit and jib-boom, killed or dread- 
fully scorched, as it were, in the 64 twinkling of an eye.” Some 
were precipitated into the water, and others, lying dead across 
the boom, continued in the posture they had assumed before the 
accident took place. This happened on board a 74 at Port Ma- 
hon, at a time when all her yards were manned, in the operation 
of furling sails. 
It does not accord with my recollection, whether her conduc- 
tor was in use or not ; but if any real dependence is to be placed 
on such a contrivance, it appears probable that one only is in- 
sufficient. 
There are, however, opposite opinions as to the merit of this 
apparatus, as well also as to the propriety of its being used at 
all ; and I do not remember, in spite of repeated accidents, that 
either the Board of Admiralty, or those great seamen and com- 
manders of the Mediterranean fleet, Lords Nelson, Collingwood 
and Exmouth, ever did enforce any general regulation on the 
subject. 
