The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1870-10-22 00:00:00

THE VOYAGE OF THE BALLOON
"WASHINGTON.'

The Gazette, .of Caniiiray, gives an account of the arrival
at that place of the balloon " Washington," and al the
journey rf the at ronaute from Part..

The "Washington " left l'aris at seven o'clock on
the morning of the 12th. It was under the care of
the aeronaut Bertant, and also carried M. Ltfaivre,
an envoy, with despatches to Vienna, and M. Van
ltiosebiche, a Belgian, whose specialty it is to rear and
manage carrier pigeon& When the balioon aecended
at Paris it stopped at 500 metres. At this elevation
there was danger from the Prussian rifles, and soon,
indeed, bullets were whistling past the ears of the
travellers. Some even lodged in the balloon, which,
cale.ing it to sink lower, by no means diminished the
danger. It was necessary to have recourse to extreme
measures. All the sacks of ballast were thrown out,
and the car rose rapidly from 1,200 to 1,500 metres. It
then set at defiance the bullet., which fell short of it.
But it was not yet out of reach of the balls sent after
it. The wind rose, and all danger seemed at an end.
It was not so, however, for half an hour afterwards the
balloon sank again. It hung over a town evidently
occupied by the enemy for three-quarters of an hour,
and was exposed to a continuous fire of musketry,
Soon, however, a high wind from the south rose, and
the balloon, whirling about in a wild manner, was
carried far out of the reach of the enemy. It sank at
last to within reach of the ground. This was near the
railway station at Cambray. It rose and sank again.
The aeronaut thought the moment favourable to throw
out his grappling iron with its 400 metres of cable. The
wind was high, and there was not a moment to Ppare.
While a high gale was blowing he unwound rapidly he
rope. The grappling-iron was about to catch !the
ground, and had it done no the journey would have
ended. But, no! The aeronaut was caught in the
folds of the rope, which had got tangled, and he was
dragged out of the car. He fell, and his death seemed
certain, but by an incredible piece of good fortune he
was entangled in the cable. He fell nearly 20 metres,
yet, strange to say, he had only a few slight bruises.
Not one limb was broken.

1 he balloon, left ti the direction of the two other
travellers—the diplomatic envoy and the pigeon-
trainer—continued its course. The grappling irons
caught the ground, and threw to one side both car and
balloon. They continued on their course, striking
against trees, which they broke in a shock against
the ground. Another of the travellers, M. Lefaivre,
was pitched out of the car. It remained occupied by
the pigeon trainer only, who exhibited, however,
ffie greatest coolness. • Making use of the ropes
which connected the car with the balloon, he
climbed up to the latter and opened it with a
knife. He pulled away large shreds from it, and
at last it shrank and fell. Country people to
the number of Ito then came up, and it was stopped.
The Belgian had not, however, got to the end of his
troubles. The peasants mistook him for a Pruslan,
and threatened him with summary punishment. "Do
with me whatever you like," he said, "but help in the
first instance, to save the deepatches which I bring
from Peril,. Cut, destroy the balloon, but bold on by
the car, which contains important papers." These
words were spoken in a tone which put an end
to all alarm. At the same time, 11.30 a.m., M.
Bricourt made his appearance. He aided the
traveller, and helped him to secure his valuable
cargo. Soon after M. Lefaivre came up, he
having followed at no very great distance. It
was not known as yet how Bertant had fared, but in
a short time a peasant came running up, who brought
the news that lie had been saved, and that at that very
time his injuries were being attended to at a farmhouse
at some distance. Three-quarters of an hour after-
wards all the three travellers were dining with B.
Bricourt, and they were able to reach l'atubray three
hours later and convey to the post-office the five
enormous bags of despatches which they brought from
Paris, weighing about 14)0 kilogrammes.
The place at which this balloon came to the ground
woe Avesues, eight kilometres from Cambray.