Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1830-07-27
nv house.
Juiy 90,

As some interest seems to have been excited
bv the notice of the New York Gazette, that the
ship Britannia had spoken the packet Man
chester. of Cork. :. under kites, we have made
a short extract from the journal OF passenger IN
the Manchester, which aludes to them. 4
pleasant time and much amusement had been
anticipated from the preparation which Mr.. Smith
had made for the voyage. and we are not aware
that any thing more was designed although
as will appear, some reference is made to
the effect produced BY the kites upon the motion
of the shin. Bal GaS.
"May 29th wind North West and Strong
our progress 81 knots. We had this day some
interesting experiments in aerosaion. Our MIR.
Smith. on leaving England last wear provided
himself with 5000 yards muslin, case of twine
or cord, and all other materials that might be
necessary for the amusement. He used but lit
tie Of them on the outward passage. and had now
provided six or eight large bundles of our COM
mon reeds. On the passage we have frequently
sent up single kites; they have flown till some
| irreguarilv occurred, then would fall, and BE-
| lost-it being impossible of course to recover
| them. his day. the weather remarkably fine,
and all the passengers for the first time well e.
nou.h TO be on deck. Mr.. S. proposed sending up
several ktes-,he first then was started, and
three hanks Ct cord of l20 wards each we're let
out-then second Kite {of blue materially SIX
feet square. was attached by It's back to the cord
of the first one, and thicker cord to its front;
1t was sent up TO this, another 7 feet square
white was attached IN similar way, and let
out bv line tof drum cord thickness doubled
10 this fourth kite tri-colored) was attached in
the same manner, and sent up BY still thicker
cord-the uppermost one was now flying TO an
Il, E,L
was then prepared. on which Mr. n. painted
the name of the ship, lat. long. day of month, &C.
Al this time we were called to dinner and BY
mismanagement afterwards in letting off the fifth.
the cord broke and it fell into the sea-ws we're
all called IN then to the curious spectacle of the
four, hying BEAUTIFULLY, supported BY this fifth
one floating and all bearing off with strong North
Wcster. Just al this time brig hove in sight
in their very course-it must have excited their
surprise not ittle-in an hours time or less.
they were out Of sight. 1t is not Improbable
the brig picked them up, if 50, you may hear of
US before YOU get this. Nothing daunted, i'm
mediately after dinner, We sat TO work again,
our captain having entered with his whole soul into
The matter. for he seems TO believe in the prac-
'icability Of rendering the experiment useful. and
We were now engaged as ships company never
were beiore-ail hands. captain. mates and crew.
passengers. male and female. all in one way or
another. in lie sailing. You must understand.
each kite is regularly hemmed and run with twine
the corners finished with Irvine loops, and six
different sets of eyeet holes. 70 make them fas;
to the reeds; these were making bv the females
whilst one AFTER another the kites were sent up
o1y the captain. mate and passengers-the crew
and others OF the passengers, were doubling. treb-
ling and quadrupline The cords required for the
diferent kites as their numbers required addi-
tional strength.
You can scarcely imagine more curious
scene; one of such novelty, I'll vouch for. was
never before witnessed-it required goodeal of
tact 10 get them up, and the ships course was
generally arranged TO effect it-bv dusk we had
raised siX--the largest : feet square. and the |
last one went up bv rope of about three quar-
ters Of All inch in diameter-he three or four last
ones we're let out by wrapping the cord round |
stancheOn, for 1t II was impossible for the stout
est hand Ito pay 1t out" and now the sixth up, !
perhaps the strongest two could not hold them. |
The Captain computed that thew drew us about |
The rate OF mile IN ten hours. | should think |
mich more. for all are aware when vessel is
lnder weigh, how much her speed is accelerated |
~ very little additional help-our Captain,
however, must be. considered best authority
bright moonlight, kites are left flying all night,
'etired early.
Porto Rico-The Brig Gen. jackson, STAINS
bury arrived al Baltimore on Saturday IN the
short passage of ten DAYS from St. Johns. Porto
Rico. We learn from captain 5. that at the
ime Of his sailing, the 18th instant. the markets
or American produce were very dull. The
rops OF sugar and coffee were abundant, and The
Weather for some time previous had been remark
hly fine.
Sunday. 30th. Our kites
we're lost about day break: the topmost one fall
~ brought down the others
Slst. We all watched the sun last
venng. expecting to see it set clear, had not .
ct fairly So yet-we watched till near sinking,
hen thick haze obscured it. the sun set
ii. evening without gong doscn,'' observed a