An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

March 16. 1682. 3. A ship whereof Robert Luist is Master being then at Sea (bound for New-England) in Lat. 27.gr. about 2.h. A.M. it began to Thunder and Lighten. They beheld three Corpusants (as Mariners call them) on the Yards: The Thunder grew fiercer, and thicker than before. Suddenly their Vessel was filled with Smoke, and the smell of Brimstone, that the poor men were terrified with the apprehension of their Ships being on fire. There came down from the Clouds a stream or flame of Fire as big as the Ships Mast, which fell on the middle of the Deck, where the Mate was standing, but then was thrown flat upon his back with three Men more that were but a little distance from him. They that were yet untouched, thought, not only that their fellow Mariners had been struck dead, but their Deck broken in pieces by that blow, whose sound seemed to them to exceed the report of many great Guns fired off at once. Some that were less dangerously hurt, made an Out-cry that their ⟨p. 91⟩legs were scalded; but the Mate lay spe•chlets and senseless. When he began to come to himself, he made sad complaints of a burden lying upon his back. When Day came, they perceived their Main-top-mast was split, and the Top-sail burnt. The Lightning seemed like small coals of fire blown overboard.

There is one Remarkable more about Thunder and Lightning, which I am lately informed of by persons concerned therein; some circumstances in the Relation being as wonderful, as any of the preceding particulars. Thus it was: On July 24. in the Year 1681. The Ship called Alben••• (whereof Mr. Edward Lad was then Master) being an hundred leagues from Cape Cod, in Lat. 48. about h. P. M. met with a Thunder Storm. The Lightning burnt the Main-top-sail, split the Main-cap in pieces, rent the Mast all along. There was in special one dreadful Clap of Thunder, the report bigger than of a great Gun, at which all the Ships Company were amazed; then did there fall something from the Clouds upon the stern of the Boat, which broke into many small parts; split one of the Pumps, the other Pump much hurt also. It was a Bituminous matter, smelling much like