An essay for the recording of illustrious providences

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 ⟨p. 92⟩fired Gun-powder. It continued burning in the stern of the Boat, they did with Stick• dissipate it, and poured much Water on it, and yet they were not able by all that they could do to extinguish it, until such time as all the matter was consumed. But the strangest thing of all, is yet to be mentioned, When night came, observing the Stars, they perceived that their Compasses were changed. As for the Compass in the Biddikil, the North point was turned clear South. There were two other Compasses unhung in the Locker, in the Cabin. In one of which the North point stood South, like that in the Biddikil; as for the other, the North point stood West. So that they Sailed by a Needle whose Polarity was quite changed. The Seamen were at first puzzled how to work their Vessel right, considering that the South point of their Compass was now become North, but after a little use, it was easy to them. Thus did they Sail a thousand Leagues. As for the Compass wherein the Lightning had made the Needle to point Westward, since it was brought to New-England the Glass being broke, it has by means of the Air coming to it, wholly lost its virtue. One of those Compasses which had quite changed the Polarity from North to South, is still extant in Boston; and at present ⟨p. 93⟩in my custody. The North point of the Needle doth remain fixed to this day, as it did immediately after the Lightning caused an alteration. The natural reason of which may be enquired into in the next Chapter: