LIGHTNING FREAK.

Waikato Times, Volume 103, Issue 17326, 11 February 1928, Page 14 (Supplement)

LIGHTNING FREAK.

LINER’S AIRIAL STRUCK.

iVND COMPASSES DERANGED

Lightning struck the British Rojal Mail liner Araguaya (10,19 b tons) as she, was steaming from Bermuda to jNh'W York. As though a knife had been ' used, the aerial attached to her foremast was cut clean away and a 1 Lhe ship’s compasses were deranged. Third Officer T. Davies, who was on the bridge, was burned on the right hand and was blinded for a. minutes. Wireless Operator Hinkley, v !to was wearing a headpiece, was (i;.2Pd by an explosion which was ip scribed by the commander, Capt. b. :.:nilitoe, as a reminder of submarine experiences in the English Channel during the war. The lightning passed down both sides of the ship, its steely blue flame vividly : illuminating the night. 11 changed the ship's magnetic compass and pul all compasses from four to six points out Of their true bearing. ‘Describing the incident the captam said the lightning would hate gone down the steel rigging without doing any damage if it had not struck he aerial apparatus. He turned 1 t Araguaya round, regained his near ing-Tby a north wind blowing at a velocity of 20 mfles an hour and the corrected the errors of the standam compass by observations of the Pole star Excellent wireless bearing re,Hved later off the American coast true direction.