The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTSMOUTH.

Last Monday about two o'Clock in the Morning, we had an uncommon Storm of Thunder and Lightning, which produced some melancholy Effects, as it has greatly damaged the Rev. Mr. Haven's Meeting House; the Lightning struck the Steeple, and rending the Spire in Pieces quite down to the Cupola, over the Bell, descended in the N. Easterly and S. Westerly Corner Posts: the former of which it shivered in small Strips from End to End: and shattered one of the main Posts in the End of the House: It seems then to have moved horizontally upon the Stones of the Underpinning, as it has split a considerable Piece off a Stone at the S. W. Corner of the Meeting House, and entered the Ground at 10 or 15 Feet Distance, making two considerable Holes: But it is pretty evident a Part of it took its Course Northerly, as three Cows and a Hog were in the Morning found dead on the N Side of the Meeting House, two of which were in a Stable about 60 Feet from the Steeple. The Glass Windows in the Steeple are all broke; two Casements, next the Post that was split to Pieces, were stove quite into the House: Most of the Glass in the Westerly End was broke: and some on the South Side: The Floor in the W. End was hove up: And several other Appearances there are of an extensive Shock: but it is remarkable that no Part took Fire in the least Degree, and that the Bell is not at all damaged.

We here behold the Works of God, and some of the Wonders which he hath wrought, as we have a fresh Instance of that marvellous Power with which he has endued the electric Fire: This Meeting House seems particularly exposed to its Effects, as it is situated upon a small Elevation, which has on three Sides of it, not far distant, large Quantities of Water, which are powerful Non Electrics: And as this is the second or third Time it has been struck with Lightning; Query, Whether the Wire Points properly erected, would not be of Service, as there are many in Philadelphia, New York, and Boston, and there is no Instance of any Meeting House, or other Building, receiving any Damage by Lightning since. As an Evidence that Metal will conduct the Electrical Fire, it is worthy of Notice that the Wooden Balls, thro' which the Iron Spindle was extended, remained unhurt.