The discharge was conducted by chain top-sail sheets to a bolt driven through one of the forecastle beams, by which it was safely conveyed to the chain cable, without damage to the beam.-See Nautical Magazine, Feb. 1839.

BELLEROPHON, 74.

1807, Thursday, August 27th, at sea, Rochesbonnes north-west three leagues, lat. 46° N., long. 2° W.; 6 P.м. main-top-gallant-mast shivered in pieces, so that all of it disappeared except the heel, the rigging cut and burned in pieces, main-top-mast shivered from head to heel into a thousand pieces, main-mast much damaged, the fish on the fore part ripped off, thirteen feet of it disappeared, mizen-top-gallant-mast shivered in pieces, and top-mast and the mizen-mast damaged; mizentop-gallant and main-top-mast-studding-sail booms carried away by the shock; some parts of the quarter-deck perforated, all the glasses in the ward-room smashed, and many persons knocked down; a butt end of a plank in the ship's side started by the violence of the concussion below, the clamps of the main deck beam cut, and a rider underneath the deck split open. One man killed, eight wounded.

The wind had been westerly, inclining to south, fresh breezes and unsettled weather; barometer 29.63; at 6 P.M. when the ship was struck it was variable and squally with heavy rain, thunder and lightning. It appears by the log that they endeavored to secure the pumps and magazines against the lightning. The discharge divided before striking the ship, into two streams, one fell on the main-mast, the other on the mizen-mast. It traversed the mizen-mast in a spiral direction, and divided again upon the hull, and found its way through the metallic fastenings to the sea, filling the ship below with thick smoke, and a strong sulphureous smell, the hull was not damaged below the water. The wind remained at W.S.W. In addition to the ship's log an account is given in an official letter from Captain Rotheram, to the Hon. Michael De Courcy.

BLOOD HOUND, 10.

1812. August 2nd, lat. 40° N., long. 63° W., 5h. 30m. A.M., mainroyal-mast shivered, and main-mast damaged, main-top-gallant-sail torn in pieces, main-royal riddled like a net, a piece 6 feet long torn out of main-mast, lead ripped off cistern before the main-mast, also under cabin stove below, hatch of the spirit-room burst open; all the watch on deck struck down.

The wind was south at 4 A.M., fresh breezes and clear; 4h. 30m. strong breezes and squally, with thunder and lightning; 5h. 30m. a tremendous squall with ditto; the main-top-gallant-sail was furled, the royal was stowed in the top-mast rigging so that the discharges passed on the rigging also.

The ship went to Plymouth for refit, where she had a new mast.— Some of the particulars, from private log kept by the master.

BLAKE, 74.

1812. March 2nd, lat. 40° N., long, 3° W., at sea; 5 r.M., the ship

was struck by lightning, the main-top-gallant-mast was rent open, and some of the geer set on fire under the main-top. Two men on the deck were slightly hurt.

Direction of wind; on the previous day, variable from west to northwest; on the 2nd fresh and squally; 2 P.M. the wind shifted to the eastward; at 4h. cloudy variable weather; on the succeeding day the wind went back to N.N.W., and became variable again.

The flash of lightning was the only one which occurred between 4 and 6 P M., and it fell immediately on the ship. The top-gallant-mast had a good deal of green sap in it, which was thrown out by the shock in long fibres, in all directions, so that the mast looked like a tree with branches.

BUZZARD, 10.

1812. September 18th; off the south point of Minorca; 6h. 30m. A.M., main-mast shattered, flag at the mast-head distroyed, larboard pump split open.

The wind on the 17th east, E.b.S., and variable; 18th variable from north-west to E.N.E.; at 4h. squally with thunder and lightning; 19th north-east and variable.

The vessel went to Mahon and got a new mast; she was employed at the time in charge of a convoy, and on this service was disabled.

Barfleur, 74.

1813. October 21st, lat. 42° N., long. 5° E., cruising off Toulon ; 9h. 40m. P.M. fore-top-gallant-mast, topmast, and foremast very much damaged by lightning, gunner's store-room and light-room below damaged. The wind had been on the previous day from S.S.E. veering to south; on the 21st variable, from south to east and E.S.E., squally with rain, and heavy lightning at 6 P.M.; the wind subsequently backed to the east, where it remained on the 22nd.

The masts are said to have been much splintered; five hoops were struck off the foremast; the discharge passed through the gunner's store-room, and forced open the door of the fore light-room close to the magazine.

The ship went afterwards to Chatham, where she had new masts.

BADGER, 10.*

1822. August 1, at Chatham, in the Ordinary; foremast shattered below the hounds, at opposite points, and at a few feet above the housing severely fractured; lead melted over bolts in the beams. The vessel was housed over.

The mast being so much damaged as to be rendered unfit for service, it was taken out.

The spire of a neighbouring church was ripped open in the same storm from the top to the bottom.

BUZZARD, (Brigantine,) 3.

1838. February 27th, lat. 6° 40' N., long. 13° W., off west end of St. Anne's shoals; 7h. 50m. a flash of lightning struck the foremast,

shivered the top-gallant-mast and top-mast, and wounded the lower mast; top-gallant sail cut to pieces.

The weather 1 A.M. moderate and fine, with the wind at south-west; 3h. 30m. dark and cloudy, with heavy rain, thunder and lightning; 4h. light winds with rain; 6h. 15m. a heavy tornado from the northeast, with vivid lightning and heavy rain; 7h., after the ship had been struck the wind veered toward the east; and at 9h. became settled and calm. The vessel was out of soundings.

The lower mast was in great measure protected by the chain top-sailtye; the discharge in passing down the mast rent a strip two inches wide out of the sleeve of the shirt of one of the sailors, without hurting him, farther than leaving the impression of a slight bruise.-See Nautical Magazine for Feb. 1839.

BLAZER, (steam-vessel.)

1839. March 20th, Mediterranean near Beyrout; 7h. 50m. P.M., main cap split open, chain peak and throat halliards cut through, and partly fused, thirty feet of the planking of the sponsons on the larboard side blown out, one of the deck planks on the same side split and shivered; a quarter-deck rail of 4-inch African oak, shivered on the starboard side for ten feet; all the iron stanchions started; a large hole struck through a boat hanging at the davits; the after cabin filled with sulphureous smoke. Two persons on the deck knocked down.

The vessel was rigged with chain rigging, and over this the discharge passed on each side to the hull; the pieces of the chain halliards strewed the decks; the lightning broke a chain of half an inch in diameter on each side the mast; the engine was going at the time, and the lightning was seen to play about it in an extraordinary way;

Direction of wind south-west, blowing fresh with very heavy rain.— From the log of Mr. J. Hele, acting-master, and communication from Capt. Wakefield, R.N.

CAMBRIAN, 44.

1799. February 22nd, English Channel; 1 P.M. a ball of fire fell on the main-top-mast, and passing by the wet ropes into the waist killed two men, and hurt several. One of the hoops of the main-mast burst open.

Direction of wind, south-west and squally; the morning had been fine; about 12h. 30m. a heavy black cloud came up from the westward with lightning and a deluge of rain, when the ship was struck the people were employed in clewing up the sails. All the men on one side of the deck were struck down; the lightning passed out through the scuppers abreast the main-mast; the number of men taken below was about twenty. The explosion appeared tremendous, similar to that of a 32-pounder.

Fisguard struck at the same time off the Eddystone, and all her sails scorched. Ship's log, and further communication from Admiral Sir B. Martin, G.C.B., and Captain Haydon, R.N.

--

CUMBERLAND, 74.

1810. August 27th; at anchor near the Faro of Messina; 11 P.M.

main-royal-mast, main-cap, and main-mast struck by lightning; foretop set on fire. The wind on the previous day had been westerly, moderate and variable. 27th wind shifted to the east; P.M. squally, with thunder and lightning, and rain; 11h. heavy claps of thunder, with lightning and rain; the next day, on the 28th, the wind veered to the north, with moderate weather. The main-mast was surveyed and condemned; but as the ship's services could not be dispensed with, it was fished.

CUMBERLAND, 74.

1810. September 2nd, at anchor near the Faro of Messina; 8h. 30m. A.M. the main-top-gallant mast and main-mast struck with lightning; four hoops on the main-mast burst open.

Direction of wind, S.S.W., fresh and cloudy; 8h. 30m. heavy thunder, with lightning and rain; on the next day S.W., moderate

and fine.

The main-mast by this second explosion was completely ruined, and the ship was obliged to leave her station and proceed to Malta for refit. Ship's log and further particulars by Lieutenant Brady, R.N. (See Nautical Magazine for December 1834.)

CALEDONIA, 120.

1811. February 24th, moored in Basque Roads; 9h. 15m. fore-topmast rent from the head to the heel, fore-mast damaged. The lightning descended into the hull, and scattered some iron work about the forge. Thirty of the crew on main deck were slightly affected by the shock, one man seriously hurt.

Direction of wind, W.S.W; 8h. A.M. fresh breezes with rain, the wind on the previous day W.S.W. fresh breezes and cloudy; on the succeeding day W.S.W., squally with rain.

The ship went to Portsmouth soon after, and had a new foremast.

CRESSY, 74.

1812. February 21st, Dunnose, Isle of Wight N.E. two or three miles, 8h. 10m. main-mast struck by lightning and much damaged.

Direction of the wind, south-west to west; P.M. strong gales and squally, with rain thunder and lightning; on the preceding day variable from south to south-west, the succeeding day W.S.W. and variable. The ship shifted the main-top-mast, and went to Spithead, where the main-mast was taken out.

CUMBERLAND, 74.

1812. February 25th, Bill of Portland N.N.E., five leagues; 1h. 40m. main-mast set on fire by lightning; 1h. 55m. mast again struck by lightning.

Direction of wind, 24th, A.M. strong gales N.N.W., midnight moderate and fine; 25th south-west, fresh gales and squally; P.M. strong gales with heavy squalls, thunder, lightning, and rain; 26th northwest moderate and fine.

The main-mast was rendered unserviceable, it was perforated in

several places, some of the iron hoops burst open. The ship was obliged to go to Spithead for a new mast.

This was the second main-mast in this ship ruined by lightning within a period of less than eighteen months.-See Nautical Mag. for December, 1834.

CLORINDE, 44.

1813. March 11th; Little Basses N.W.b.N. four miles, off Friars Head, east coast of Ceylon; 3h. 30m. main-top-mast cut by lightning in two pieces, main-mast shivered from the mast-head to the deck. Three men killed, five wounded.

Direction of wind, westerly and variable; P.M. fresh breezes and cloudy; 2 P.M. squally appearance, a heavy dark cloud came toward the ship from the windward side. It burst on the mast and shivered it in pieces, only a wreck remained; the lightning passed out of the main-deck ports. The explosion seemed to those below as if all the main-deck guns had been fired.

The ship went to Trincomalee for refit, did not sail again until the 11th of April. Further particulars furnished by Admiral Briggs.

CHANTICLEER, 10.

1822. October 18, moored in Corfu; 3h. 15m. main-mast struck by lightning and rendered unserviceable.

Direction of the wind; 17th E.S.E. to S.S.E.; weather variable, fine and squally by turns, with thunder, and lightning; 18th, south to south-east; A.M. moderate and squally, with thunder, lightning, and rain.

CLINKER, 12.

1828. December 31st; south-end of Fernando Po, 70 miles, Coast of Africa; 5h. 20m. brig struck by lightning, main-mast carried away six feet above deck, the top fell over the gangway, and the mast across the deck, top-mast and sails thrown overboard. One man killed. 7h. 30m. wore ship, found head of main-mast carried away 8 feet below the cap, topmast splintered, and top-gallant-mast fairly split in shivers; jaws of main boom broken.

Direction of wind; the wind had been W. to W.N.W. for some days; 31st A.M. moderate and cloudy; 4h. cloudy with distant thunder; 4h. 30m. squalls from the north-west; 5h. 30m. the ship was taken aback by a heavy squall from the east with heavy rain, thunder and lightning; 5h. 15m. the lightning extremely vivid, the rain heavy. After this the wind again went back to the north-west as before. The brig went to Fernando Po for refit.

(To be continued.)

ENLARGED SERIES.-NO. 6.-VOL. FOR 1843.

3 F