An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

I proceed now to give an account of some late Remarkables about Thunder and Lightning, wherein several Vessels at Sea were concerned.

July 17.1677. A Vessel whereof Mr. Thomas Berry was Master, set Sail from Boston in New-England, Bound for the Island of Madera. About 3. h. P. M. being half way between Cape Cod and Brewsters Islands, they were becalmed; and they perceived a Thundershower arising in the North-Northwest. The Master ordered all their Sails (except their two Courses) to be furled. When the shower drew near to them, they had only the foresail abroad; all the Men were busy in lashing fast the Long-boat; The Master was walking upon the Deck, and as he came near the Main-mast, he beheld something very black fly before him, about the bigness of a small Mast, at the Larboard side; and immediately he heard a dreadful and amazing noise, not like a single Canon, but as if great ⟨p. 88⟩Armies of Men had been firing one against another; presently upon which the Master was struck clear round, and fell down for dead upon the Deck, continuing so for about seven minutes; but then he revived, having his hands much burnt with the Lightning. The Ship seemed to be on fire; and a very great Smoke having a Sulphurous smell came from between the Decks; so that no man was able to stay there, for more than half an hour after this surprising Accident happened. The Main-mast was split from the Top-gallant-mast head to the lower Deck. The Partners of the Pump were struck up at the Star-board side, and one end of two Cabins staved down betwixt Decks. Two holes were made in one of the Pumps about the bigness of two Musket Bullets. They were forced to return to Boston again, in order to the fitting of the Vessel with a new Mast. Through the mercy of the most high, no person in the Vessel received any hurt, besides what hath been expressed. Yet it is Remarkable that the same day, about the same time, two Men in or near Wenham were killed with Lightning, as they sat under a tree in the Woods.

July 17.1677. A Vessel whereof Mr. Thomas Berry was Master, set Sail from Boston in New-England, Bound for the Island of Madera. About 3. h. P. M. being half way between Cape Cod and Brewsters Islands, they were becalmed; and they perceived a Thundershower arising in the North-Northwest. The Master ordered all their Sails (except their two Courses) to be furled. When the shower drew near to them, they had only the foresail abroad; all the Men were busie in lashing fast the Long-boat; The Master was walking upon the Deck, and as he came near the Main-mast, he beheld something very black fly before him, about the bigness of a small Mast, at the Larboard side; and immediately he heard a dreadful and amazing noise, not like a single Canon, but as if great