Lightning Strikes Plume From Underwater Explosion, Chesapeake Bay, Maryland

Description

INDEX DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE OFFICE OF PUBLIC INFORMATION THE PENTAGON, WASHINGTON 25, D.C. - LIBERTY 5-6700 (A) RADIO - TV BRANCH, TELEVISION SECTION Release No. 174-57 PICTORIAL BRANCH, NEWSREEL SECTION ROOM 2E-791 EXT. 72902 75061 Footage: 80 0 ROOM 2D-780A EXT. 75111 For release 24 Oct. 1957 DUPE NEGATIVE TO: Fox-Movietone FINE GRAIN TO: Fox-UP LIGHTNING STRIKES PLUME FROM UNDERWATER EXPLOSION (Official Navy footage released by Dept. of Defense) Scientists of the Naval Ordnance Laboratory, Silver Spring, Md. conducting routine underwater explosion experiments recently in remote areas of Chesapeake Bay and recording test results with high-speed cameras, were startled to see and photograph this rare meteorological phenomenom. The 300=foot-high water plume of a conventional depth charge induces a stray low-level cloud in a partially overcast sky to discharge its electrical energy in three consecutive lightning bolts, all following the same downward ionized path and all striking the water plume, and its reflection on the water (foreground), shows that the bolts actually struck the plume. NOL scientists point out that Benjamin Franklin coaxed lightning out of a cloud 200 years ago with a kite and a string, but to their knowledge this has never been done with a water plume Since Navy regulations prohibit explosives handling before or during electrical disturbances, the NOL people emphasize that atmospheric conditions were clear when the depth charge was placed in the water, and although the sky became slightly overcast during the 2-hour delay before the shot was fired, there was no indication of storm or electrical activity in the air. Sequences show: (a) Depth charge fired in a remote area of Chesapeake Bay. (b) Lightning strikes 300 foot high water plume NOTE TO EDITORS: PLEASE CREDIT DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE IN TITLE OR COMMENTARY The fine grain master positive, released to the company designated above, is for duplication and distribu- tion to interested TV and Newsree1 pool members. It is then to be returned within 7 days to the Film Library, Army Pictorial Center, 35-11 35th Avenue, Long Island City 1, New York. The master positive must not be cut in any manner. A dupe negative is also for release CO the company designated above for distribution to pool members so `siring for duplication purposes. Within 24 hours it will be delivered to DeLuxe Laboratories, 850 Tenth Avenue, New York, N. Y., telephone Circle 7-3220 where it will be available to non-pool members and other authorized organizations which make satisfactory financial arrangements with DeLuxe Laboratories. The DUPE NEGATIVES must not be cut in any manner. B-30102

Collection

Records of the Office of the Chief Signal Officer

Series

Filmed News Releases