corposant - 07/18/03 07:56 PM
Dana is describing a light seen atop one of the masts:
"When we got down we found all hands looking aloft, and there, directly over where we had been standing, upon the main top-gallant-mast-head, was a ball of light, which the sailors name a corposant (corpus sancti), and which the mate had called out to us to look at. They were all watching it carefully, for sailors have a notion that if the corposant rises in the rigging, it is a sign of fair weather, but if it comes lower down, there will be a storm. Unfortunately, as an omen, it came down, and showed itself on the top-gallant yard-arm."
This is a discharge of static electricity, ionizing the air. I have heard it called "St.Wlmo's Fire". Never heard
"corposant" before. Hou about you, Faldage?
"When we got down we found all hands looking aloft, and there, directly over where we had been standing, upon the main top-gallant-mast-head, was a ball of light, which the sailors name a corposant (corpus sancti), and which the mate had called out to us to look at. They were all watching it carefully, for sailors have a notion that if the corposant rises in the rigging, it is a sign of fair weather, but if it comes lower down, there will be a storm. Unfortunately, as an omen, it came down, and showed itself on the top-gallant yard-arm."
This is a discharge of static electricity, ionizing the air. I have heard it called "St.Wlmo's Fire". Never heard
"corposant" before. Hou about you, Faldage?