MAGNETISED SHIP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXIX, Issue 71, 26 March 1910, Page 10

MAGNETISED SHIP.

A WEIRD EXPERIENCE. "We have been struck by a comet or a thunderbolt, and our ship is disabled," was tho report of Captain Davies, tho master of tho Cardiff steamship Trafalgar, which arrived at Falmouth on 2nd February. Captain Davies, who has navigated ships for thirty years, had a weird story to tell to a journalist. He said, "Wo were bound trom Port Talbot to Bastia with coals, leaving port on Wednesday, and we experienced boisterous weather with heavy snowstorms. About 8 o'clock this morning wo were about ten miles south-west of the Wolf Rock, when tho vessel trembled violently, and there was a loud sharp report like the explosion of a cannon. The foremast seemed a' mass of flame, aud the whole bhip became aglow. "At that moment we saw a large fiery body, with a tail about 30ft or •10ft long, strike the sea about 20ft from us. Its appearance was accompanied by a loud hissing nome, and as it disappeared a column of water rose in the air. Had it struck the ship I am sure it would have spelt disaster for us. "Directiy after what I may term the seizure of tho ship, the men came running out of the forecastle saying it was on fire. The whole of the interior was glowing with a brilliant light. The effect of tho phenomenon in the engine room was most awe-inspiring, the whole place glowing with a faint violet light, from which millions of sparks emanated. All the men rushed upon deck. "The- second mate happened to be sounding the well at the time, and received a violent .shock from the steel rod which he held in his hand. The phenomenon did not last many seconds. When we had recovered from our surprise we looked at the compasses and found them all demagnetised and awry. "In that predicament I decided to put back for tho nearest port, but as we were experiencing blinding snowstorms and could get no assistance from our compasEefl, it was it difficult task. Afc last we picked up tlio Lizard, and by following coasting vessels got into Falmouth, entering tho port without assistance of a pilot." Strange to say, when the compasses were taken ashore they resumed their normal condition and were strictly accurate. It is feared that the ship has become highly magnetised, and experts will go on board to decide how Ihe problem can ne solved.