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Foreign News
July 29, 1785
Fowle's New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser
Portsmouth, Rockingham County, New Hampshire
What is this article about?
On May 28, 1780s-era report from Kingston, Jamaica: Ship Diligence, Capt. Hay, arriving from Anamaboe with over 400 slaves, struck by lightning two degrees south of equator, killing 25 slaves; crew unharmed.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
KINGSTON, (Jamaica) May 28.
The ship Diligence, Capt. Hay, which arrived on Sunday last from Anamaboe, with upwards of 400 slaves, was overtaken on her passage, about two degrees to the southward of the line, by a dreadful thunder storm, in which a most awful flash of lightning struck the fore-top-gallant-mast, which immediately fell upon the deck, and killed eight of the slaves outright; seventeen others were so dreadfully wounded by the splinters of the mast, and the force of the fluid, that they all died in a short time afterwards. The Captain and crew were also stunned by the shock; though providentially, none of them were materially hurt. Such are the dreadful effects of lightning! the most extensive, the most rapid and powerful agent in the whole universe.
The ship Diligence, Capt. Hay, which arrived on Sunday last from Anamaboe, with upwards of 400 slaves, was overtaken on her passage, about two degrees to the southward of the line, by a dreadful thunder storm, in which a most awful flash of lightning struck the fore-top-gallant-mast, which immediately fell upon the deck, and killed eight of the slaves outright; seventeen others were so dreadfully wounded by the splinters of the mast, and the force of the fluid, that they all died in a short time afterwards. The Captain and crew were also stunned by the shock; though providentially, none of them were materially hurt. Such are the dreadful effects of lightning! the most extensive, the most rapid and powerful agent in the whole universe.
What sub-type of article is it?
Disaster
Trade Or Commerce
What keywords are associated?
Lightning Strike
Slave Ship
Thunderstorm
Diligence Ship
Capt Hay
25 Slaves Killed
Equator Passage
What entities or persons were involved?
Capt. Hay
Where did it happen?
Two Degrees To The Southward Of The Line
Foreign News Details
Primary Location
Two Degrees To The Southward Of The Line
Event Date
Prior To Arrival On Sunday Last, May 28
Key Persons
Capt. Hay
Outcome
eight slaves killed outright; seventeen more died shortly after; total 25 slaves dead; captain and crew stunned but unhurt
Event Details
Ship Diligence overtaken by thunderstorm; lightning struck fore-top-gallant-mast, causing it to fall and kill/injure slaves.