Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-01-24
From The London Courier, Dee. %.
PERlLOUS BALLOON DESCENT
Of Mr.. AMI Mrs. Graham.

sending rapidly towards eight from
shc breakwater, and FIVE miles from Yeam Point which
the nearest land The fearful uneasiness excited
among the spectators seeing the ta voyagers cosgn
ed TO the peous FIST intense; but the awful
prior the arrival of their safety
was in some degree relieved by cheering nope that til,
cork jackets and life perseves with which they fur
nshed, would keep thcm aoat, until vessel, which
peared short distance making them, some
COAT should arrive aud rescue them from the impending
danger: this happily. The prompt arriva
ofthe Royal Marine under the command of Sergeant
White, providentally preserved them from grave
zoo much praise cannot lie given Colonel Ninicuulc
fo the alacty with which issued his orders for
the Marine boat in order afford the assistance
10 the judicious and pcrsevcrine oXens of Sergeant
nhte and his brave Mr. and Mrs. Graham in
dcosd for ,hcir lives, and do better give
account CT their pcrserv aton in Scr;cant Whites own
words:
"About twelve o'clock Monday last. the 18th Of No.
rcu,6er; having heard that the balloon ascend
Two p. Nj. from the r>s.ket-pacc at Stonehouse, and
observing, from INC way in which the wind blew. that should
the ascent take place, the balloon take direction
scaward and also ing thar boats u
direction in which it probable the balloon would cs-
ccnd, WAS induced TO wait MIR. Graham, and ask him
II he had resolved To ascend the advertised in the
N2au-0S, at the same time emarkIps him, that coA
observe boat the look out; considerable
ger would attcn ms asvrHJnr appeared almost GER
tain that the balloon would BE- driven to but that
would apply Colonel Viuiconhe the Commanding off,
ofthe Royal Marines permission Royal AIuriuc
boat, under my nd, be in waiting of the New
stone, in whcG direction thought it probable the balloon
would descend
Graham patcy expressed himself highly
Die oil the kindness OF my offer and replied, that "hc was
determined to ascend the time appointed. let the wind
aud the weather be what might, for lie would deceive
tho fuhc;" aud earnestly requested CnIGne
Fnicombe's leave, which did, and Immediately proceeded
with my boats 10 the southwest, % the Mcwstoue
About three O'Clock observed the balloon appgu 1us n
the direction OF south; then Immediately made all sail
steering right before the wind (the balloon that
altered its direction to tle souheas) aud ordered each
the crew 10 his oar, and give way. fired several
mskes in the air. in order attract the notice of Mr. Gfa
balloon that
observed Nh Gsaham waving flag, signal for
follow him; the balloon at ts drifting rapidly
few moments afterwards observed strike the wafer,
about miles ahead of ue. In the of about
~ minutes my boa; bctwxt the and tie balloon.
and found Nh. and Mrs Graham casred in each others
arms the car, which had upset, and which, the
haioon rolled in most tremendous dragged them
al intervals entirely under Mrs Graham being in
mast exhausted state, nv orders my lie
iarboard side OF the bow lay hold her. get her
clear Of the and her havrd as quickly pos
sibe and which, with the difficulty. they succeeded
IN doing the balloon taking such sudden and fequen:
yaws, aud being quite unmsn.geabe.
M the moment Of taking Mrs. Graham into the boat the
balloon shnered away into poft, preventing the possibility
Of thc retaining their hold the cords, &C., cied
20 tie and ba0Oni the cry became gene AL that the
balloon with the had broken from them, lat Mr..
Graham would be lost this, although dcadty exhausted
Mrs. Graham heard; and She exclaimed IL, frntr
manner, For Gods snGe, sayso save ny husband b.
steadyng mizen-sheet, shot ahead, and once
gained the and with the greatest difficulty succeeded
IN taking Mr. Graham on board his thigh being damned
between the hoop and ear. At this time the balloon
dragging the boat with great velocity aud the ropes
netting belonging to being led in the boat and
apprehensive that the boat would be upset;
MI Graham being of opinen if ha could succeed in
finding that particular which opened the safety
would he dangerous TO held hy the any longer
Cie bow Of the boat being at intervals pressed under
ter) recommended that should away all. This
de tn be- done and in the balloon ascendcd
swiftly taking th it the car end kept the
o south The boats eheerfuly stripped themselves
OF their Jackets &C. for purpose covering Mr. and
Mrs Ggaham as they lay in the after par, of the boat
then directed tine strike the and give way with
their oais towards Iean point that being the nearest
place which it possible could observe ed
three vessels bearing down upon Which proved be his
Inaesiy's cutter Happy her tender and MIR. hdbey
yacht. was huiled by the HAPPY Lieut. Aacdonald who
asked If had saved Mr.. and Mrs. Graham, and if
wanted any assistance IansweFed that had Succeeded
Swing and that did assistance for tina
purpose wished TO 60 on board to speak to him.
fI Immediately hove his vessel round and dropped
al side arriving board stated to Lieut.. NJ Thai
Ia Mrs G in the siern-shecs Of my boat, a dis
ircssiug state my intentions were to Ina We gone in
Yeain, but that app,chrnded Mrs Gfahnm could moi
survive it would take least hours pull
that place. Io then ordered Nj. and Mrs. Graham
De taken Oh board The vessel and placed it, bed wrapped
IN blankets Sc. ADD ordered my boat be taken
he Immediately made all sail towards Plymouth, where
arrived about SIX or half past six O'Clock despatched
my boat on shore to the Royal Marine Barracks 10 get
St o Ms. Whites apptrcl for Mrs. Grahan which was
in short time brought board Having landed them
them ~ Stone housr quay, procured chaise and
panied Them TO the Crown Hotel Davenport. cannot
help rcnaking the 6rnucss aud oritmde displayed IN
MIS- bTaan IN the very alarming and DANCE
IN which she PlHceda situation in which very few
males could have conducted themselves with stcancss
and GOODNESS she did. Mr. Graham also cincntlv cn
tied 10 praise of the manly and courageous manner with
which he supported his suffering partner the firm
consistency with which ne conducted himself trouehont the
whole OF his arduous trial W. WHITE,
"Coour Sergeant Royal Marines
Immediately on the balloon being discngag1d orn The
boat swiftly asccndod is perpendicular direction. aud
as not since tcr0 heard "f As the wind blew towards The
French coast, She balloon has most likely filler
calculated thai the gas would wholly escapo fur ours
Mrs. c. has been seriously udsposcd from effect e
cold and severe bruises she had received bat happy
10 say is fast recovering.
MIS- 4 nhan ias itvourcd US with thr wing account
of the asccn'D rising from the narkct, observed an
the cH'ucuces in the vicinity covered with dcusC
spectators, no on percei,ng tine balloon in tho air. raised
tremendous shout the finest object attracted CIR at
tcHtloH "dS The dock yard together With river lamar
vas truly grand and imposing but finding that
win descend into the had time to take min.
ut7 survey Of tc dcighf sceueiy below We were vc-
~ soon User The SoDnd which uc Mr.. Graham was en-
plo5cd in keeping the valve open allow tine disca &c
10 effect speedy descent: but the balloon containing
nearly Sufficient Tor three pc.eor this desired