Austria. List of Damages by Fire through Lightning.
Key:
AWE - Austria, Western Europe
AEE - Austria, Eastern Europe
Sa. - Salzburg
St. - Styria
K. - Kärnten
Il. - Illyria
Co. - Coastland
Ty. - Tyrol
Bo. - Bohemia
Mä. - Mähren
Si. - Silesia
Ga. - Galicia
Bu. - Buckovina
D. - Dalmatia
| Year | Total Fires | Of which those through lightning are:— | ||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| AWE | AEE | Sa. | St. | K. | Il. | Co. | Ty. | Bo. | Mä. | Si. | Ga. | Bu. | D. | Total | ||
| 1870 | 4,171 | 20 | 16 | 1 | 14 | 3 | 4 | 2 | 2 | 58 | 15 | — | 26 | — | — | 161 |
| 1871 | 4,293 | 9 | 26 | 1 | 9 | 5 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 53 | 8 | 1 | 34 | 4 | — | 156 |
| 1872 | 5,265 | 11 | 26 | 4 | 32 | 5 | 12 | 3 | 2 | 45 | 14 | 7 | 56 | 5 | 1 | 223 |
| 1873 | 5,500 | 11 | 16 | 3 | 30 | 4 | 12 | 1 | 11 | 88 | 18 | 7 | 42 | 3 | 3 | 249 |
| 1874 | 5,244 | 15 | 24 | — | 32 | 5 | 9 | — | 8 | 79 | 15 | 5 | 53 | 5 | — | 250 |
| 1875 | 4,529 | 17 | 34 | — | 19 | 4 | 10 | 2 | 7 | 68 | 19 | 8 | 62 | — | — | 250 |
| 1876 | 5,001 | 18 | 13 | 1 | 22 | 5 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 59 | 15 | — | 48 | — | — | 188 |
| 1877 | 6,125 | 21 | 23 | 3 | 23 | 8 | 8 | — | 7 | 63 | 19 | 6 | 43 | 1 | — | 225 |
| Total | 40,128 | 122 | 178 | 13 | 181 | 39 | 62 | 12 | 39 | 513 | 123 | 34 | 364 | 18 | 4 | 1702 |
Deaths by Lightning in Wurtemberg.
| Year | Total |
| 1841–42 | 26 |
| 1851–60 | 117 |
Deaths by Lightning in Switzerland.
| Males | Females | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| 1877 | 21 | 9 | 30 |
| Total | 23 | 10 | 33 |
The data given here is necessarily incomplete, although much trouble has been taken in obtaining it. Many countries keep no separate records of deaths and accidents from lightning, and those kept by others are often meagre and untrustworthy. Still the statistics given are sufficient to prove that lightning constitutes no unimportant factor among the dangers that threaten the safety of human life. The apathy with which the danger is regarded by most people is simply astounding: very few make any effort to protect themselves or their houses against it, although during certain months of the year it is almost impossible to take up a newspaper that does not contain an account of some fatality or casualty from the effects of a thunderstorm. The long roll of accidents appended to this chapter shows only too clearly the enormous amount of damage that has arisen—and is continually arising—from this source. Public buildings fare little better than private houses. Even some of the first cathedrals of England have no lightning conductors whatever, while others, supplied with them, are insufficiently protected, as is apparent to any competent observer. A glaring instance of the absence of protection against lightning is to be found at Windsor Castle. It is a fact that several portions of this splendid palace, among them St. George’s chapel, and the adjoining Belfry Tower, are entirely unprovided with lightning conductors. On other parts of the castle a few conductors are placed, but clearly not enough. It is needless to say that, speaking only of St. George’s chapel and the Belfry Tower, these beautiful buildings, constantly touched by the storm-clouds that sweep up the valley of the Thames, are liable at any moment to destruction or great damage.