When was it published?

June 28, 1771 in The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Domestic News June 28, 1771

The New Hampshire Gazette And Historical Chronicle

Q: What entities or persons were involved?

Captain Smith, John Hancock, Esq

Q: What keywords are associated?

Lightning Strike, Ship Blaze Castle, Thunderstorm, Mast Damage, Boston Wharf

Portsmouth, Greenland, Rockingham County, New Hampshire

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What is this article about?

On last Friday afternoon, a thunderstorm struck the ship Blaze-Castle, Capt. Smith of Bristol, at John Hancock's wharf. Lightning damaged the masts, stunned ten people in the steerage who recovered, and caused minor cabin damage, but none of the 13 on board were seriously hurt.

Clipping

OCR Quality

98% Excellent

Full Text

June 24. Last Friday Afternoon we had a Storm of Thunder and Lightning. The Blaze-Castle, Captain Smith, of Bristol, laying at the Wharf of John Hancock, Esq; was struck with Lightning. It first took the Maintopmast, and shivered it to Pieces, then gouged the Main-Mast in several Places almost down to the Deck, when 'tis most probable the Lightning divided, Part taking to the Steerage, (where were ten Persons who were all knock'd down and stunn'd, but happily soon recover'd) and part down the Companion, where it broke a Glass Window, and did some other trifling Damage, and then enter'd the Cabin, (where also three Persons were sitting who received no Hurt) and melted the Gilding and Paintings in several Places, and then 'tis thought it return'd up the Companion. Notwithstanding there were 13 Souls on board, through divine Goodness none receiv'd much Hurt.

What sub-type of article is it?

Disaster Shipping Weather

What keywords are associated?

Lightning Strike Ship Blaze Castle Thunderstorm Mast Damage Boston Wharf

What entities or persons were involved?

Captain Smith John Hancock, Esq

Domestic News Details

Event Date

Last Friday Afternoon

Key Persons

Captain Smith John Hancock, Esq

Outcome

ten persons in steerage knocked down and stunned but recovered; three in cabin unhurt; 13 souls on board, none received much hurt.

Event Details

The ship Blaze-Castle, of Bristol, at John Hancock's wharf, was struck by lightning during a storm of thunder and lightning. It damaged the maintopsail and main mast, divided into steerage and companion way, breaking a window and melting gilding and paintings in the cabin.