Mexborough & Swinton Times – Friday 11 July 1884
Terrific Thunderstorm
Loss of Life
Destruction of Property
During Wednesday afternoon and evening a violent thunderstorm was experienced in Sheffield and the surrounding district. The lightning was very vivid, and the thunder frequent and deafening, while the rain came down in torrents. Fortunately, in our own immediate neighbourhood there were no serious cases of injury or loss of life.
At Wath five sheep belonging to Mr. C. L. Staveley, and an heifer beast worth £20, belonging to Mr. Blyth Dibbs, were struck with lightning and killed on the spot.
At Mexbro’ the water rushed down the descending roads from the high common with such force as to wash up the earth and carry large stones in its course, dwelling-house kitchens were flooded in several instances. A high wall at Dolcliffe Road, Mexbro’, was partially demolished by the force of the water consequent on the heavy rain. A tree near the foundry was also struck by lightning, and it is currently reported that a thunderbolt fell near to the South Yorkshire Hotel, Mexbro’. The crops, which were looking so promising, are greatly damaged in the country, and many acres of oats and rye were levelled to the ground.
At Swinton, near the M. S. & L. Railway Station, a field of wheat belonging to Mr. Rhodes, farmer, of Swinton, which a few days ago promised fair to be an excellent crop, has been entirely levelled to the ground, presenting an appearance similar to having been rolled. At Denaby the farmers have suffered considerably, the loss not being calculable. Several trees were also struck by lightning. Houses were struck at Grenoside, Penistone, Belper, and Worksop. Cattle have also been killed at Wickersworth and Retford.
A signal box at Wickersworth was set on fire. At Doncaster a little girl was struck by lightning, and remained unconscious for over an hour. At Stairfoot the lightning struck the roof of a house occupied by a signalman, named Archer Goodridge, residing near the Railway Station. No serious damage was done, excepting breaking the slates.
At Rothwell, near Leeds, during a terrible storm in the afternoon, James Hainsworth, engine-driver at a colliery, was killed by the lightning, and two companions were rendered insensible. Two men were killed by lightning at Royston, near Oldham, on Wednesday evening. They were engaged in constructing a reservoir when a heavy thunderstorm broke over them. Five men took shelter in a hut, which was struck by lightning, killing two and rendering the three insensible.
In North Notts the electric fluid struck a stack of 30 sheep, causing extensive loss to the owner; while in other districts houses were damaged, cattle killed, and buildings set on fire. Growing crops were greatly damaged. Much rain fell on Thursday, but not to such an extent as the previous day.