The Express.
London, England, 1857-07-09 00:00:00

PERILOUS BALLOON DESCENT IN LAZE ERIE

(From thiTii•iroitlousq*.)

We received a call this morning from Mr. John
Steiner, of Philadelphia, • somewhat noted aeronaut, who
has just made his fortieth ascent, which has proved quite a
perilous adventure. After several days' delay, he finally
succeeded in making the anent from Erik about %o'clock on
Thursday eftantoon. The weather was stormy, with squalls
of wind, which rendered the voyage not entirely pleasant.
The wind being in the right direction. however, it wee de-
termined, it being his purpose to sail acmes the lake and
alight in Canada. He rose to the height of about three
miles, and started off at a slow but steady rate. The outlook
was beautiful. The lake could be seen from one end to the
other nearly, save as clouds intercepted it from view. At
one time Mr. Steiner eoun!ed 38 sail vowel!, all in sight,
end far below him. The hands on board several of the
vessels saw Dim, and rightly apprehending that he was an
aeronaut, cheered him heartily, and ho states that their
shouts could be heard by him quite distinctly. The wind
kept blowing steadily Wen the right quarter, and the voyage
a very soreeeeful termination. He neared the
rigout:there a little below Long Point, and was gradually
coming in to chore. When about 10 miles from land, how-
eviv, a counter current struck him, which was bearing
directly down the lake. This wee quite a strong one, much
more so than the one which had propelled bite safely thus
far, and he woe accordingly driven toward. 13uffalo. Ho
was about two and half miles above the surface of
the water. Night was drawing on, end it became
apparent that he could not, with this current, get
away from the water before dark, and after night-
fall it would not be safe to some down. Seeing a
propeller making her way up the hike, he therefore resolved
to descend, and, if poarthle, strike the water so as to be res-
cued by die steenter. The propeller peeved to be the Mary
Stewart. Her velem thitenerrad the balloon about the same
time that they were descried by its occupant. The American
ensign was run up, and her whistle sounded. Mr. Steiner
responded by was** small American flag from hie esr. He
threw out a arge anchor, attached to about 30 feet of strong
rope, for tbo purpose of making fast to the vessel if he should
erns above hoc before reaching the water. He then
began to desert:o,6nd came down rapidly. He first struck
the water about twenty-five miles below Long Point,
and three miles above the propeller, which was
hound up. In seven minutes he passed her about
twenty rods astern. During this time Mr. Steiner
says he thinks his balloon bounded from the water at
least 20 times. It would strike and then rebound, like a ball,
going into the air from 20 to 50 feet, and still rushing down
the lake at railroad speed. His anchor not catching to any-
thing caused this not very agreeable episode. A boat was
immediately launched from the propeller, which went in pur-
suit of hint. They got hold of n long rope which be had
thrown out, and which wee attached to the balloon, and begun
to haul in. But ea woe aa the line wee mado taut the bal-
loon took the boat in tow with a will. The sailors pulled the
oar locks off the boat, but could not stop their novel ti tug."
Mr. Steiner then abandoned the balloon, leaping into the
water and swimming towards the boat, which speedily
reached him. He was taken on board, InspitaLly enter-
tained, and brought to this city, where he arrived last even-
ing., nuns the worse for his adventurous voyage. Thiele the
third balloon Mr. Steiner has lost. It cost 600 dole.

FATAL OCCURRENCE ON TILE EAST KENT RAIL-
WAT.—On Monday afternoon a fatal widest occurred on
the weeks of the East Kent Railway at Chatham, whereby
two rasa, named Thomas Bolton and Charles Newman, wore
killed, sad a third man, named Wallis, so severely injured
that smell hopes are entertained or his recovery. The de-
ceased awn, who were only =gutted by the contractor. that
=war employed in a deep rutting at Gillinetam, in
them:lea of the slope forthe wpm. of ailing op
the banes. waggons. The work being of a very dangerous
ammeter, the men were repeatedly cautioned to be careful,
sad at a short Interval before tho accident they wore visited
by 111 r. Wren, the foremen, sod desired to discontinue their
work at that spot, as the earth gave indication that it was
about to give way. The teen, however, paid no heed to the
warning, but continued undermining the ode of the slope,
when a large mass of chalk and earth, weighing several
tons, suddenly gave way, burying in its fall the three men,
Bolton, Newman, and Wallis. Every effort was immediately
made to rescue them, bat it wan fully an hour berme the
lest man was wavered, whin it was found that Bolton and
Newman had received frightful iejurieu and were quite dead.
The third man was recovered alive. The following day an
inquest was held on the bodies by Mr. 11. Wickham, deputy
coroner, when the jury returned a verdict of ' Accidental
death." _ _

.....ACCIDENT BY MACHINERY AT WIIIITECHAFEL
Yestorday22, .hurtle before eight o'clock, an socident
awaked to • sweet Jame@ Connor, aged IS gem, at
the .tem ef Mt. A. Smith, patent eseseekg mg nen-
feetnree, Iltwelwartirelnet,
The tend tees engaged with ether perstailiell=
seed lor NOW eiseweat drib he the arwaltelowe of
maks end ether elm bin Agit en' wee beers in
Mews the wevehies Wye% width son Wag waded b 7
stem wow. Hit swam leveed raved ma to his
eashewee, tad the weehlee wee limed, whoa the poor
fellow en extricated viable Tight ens enteleut sad ken to
tom Hs was irmailsagy coneepei in •ea le the Los-
wbwe ft wee demea socessiel smipailai th•
lhntiffeiirl'ehealike joint. The speaks leek pima while
he w wrier the lines el ellerdets. NM whoa the Yeb
was emined he wee Mad to le he•ea7 eahmiled del%
eta entitle& engine= bed le be wleg to mime hit to
emeelemwe. Some tenlite weeetaluelaked es I. bit ea-