Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1834-11-13
From the Philadelphia ". $. Gazette.
MIR, MILLS ASCENSION FROM Ian.
CASTER.
To the Editor of the U. S. Gazette:


To the Editor of the U. S. Gazette:
Phiiadeiphia, Sunday afternoon:
Sir-In conformity with the desire OF some
friends in Lancaster, | made, on SATURDAY
the Ist Of November, an ascension from lhat
place. =.
Half an hour before the specified time,
had my balloon completely inflated; and as the
spectators were already on the ground, set
off six minutes before three, =. NJ. although l
had announced my intention OF gong ut
II three. :.
At that time the thermometer Indicated q
temperature of 5io, and the barometer stood
at 90 s. The wind nearly due east, was
light and irregular. My course was ut hrst
westward, so that passed Immediately over
Lancaster, when change OF current TOOK me
several miles in northwestward dIrectlon.-
As did not rise high, could distinctly hear
the sound Of horses hoofs, as their riders pur-
sued me. My elevation was at that tllhc
81 5, and the temperature 41".
| A new and higher current of air from the
north and west, soon drove me back towards
Lancaster; which as passed it, it appeared
to be hafa mile or less to the westward oil
nv course. | could sec the assemblage IN
the nclosure in which had left them, but
was out Of hearing OF their salutatlons. MY
elevation at tins time was about 40 D; or We
nv nearly mile above the EARTH At this
time, | could see vast eXpanse ot beautiful
country, and among other objects, recognised
the Susquchanna, aud its bridge, at Coum-
bia.
Soon after leaving Lancaster for the second
time, entered and passed through the clouds,
which though thick enough to conceal the
earth from view, did not seem to be more
nn 4. ,,,Iy. r,rin
from this stratum, ] suddenly found myself in
n bright sunshine, with vast field OF white
Opaque vapors below me, convulscd into sim
guar forms, and presenting variety Of ele-
vations and cave:nous depresslons.
! continued above the clouds for nearly al
hour, and during that time saw the earth on
" three times, and then only but for mo-
ment, as the rolling clouds beneath happened
to break their well preserved continuity.
/, As fell below the clouds, ] was surprised
to see n beautiful river, full of boats and ves-
sells, and to find myself almost immediately
over n small town, on its margin, while saw
another of greater size, at a little distance m
land After some reflection, ] felt sure that
it was not either the Susquehanna or the
! Chesapeake, but it never entered my head to
suppose that could have travelled so far rs
to have reached the banks of the Delaware,
at New Castle, and that the beautiful city Of
Wilmington lay in sight, to the north Of my
position.
Attempting to descend here, to avoid eros
sing the river, encountered the eastern ;ur
rent, with which had started at l.ancas'er,
and was carried by it across the state ofD l.
aware. | at 5 PM precisely, touched the
earth, near Coocl's Mills, 3 miles from Elh-
ton.
AS passed over a house near this place
some white people hailed me, "who are you;'
replied by asking "where am |" to which
they answered ego back where you came
from" | soon after let 90 my anchor near to
the turnpike, and fortunately it laid hold ofa
fence, when called to two black men to come
to my assistance, which at first they declined
without giving me any answer in words. Az
ter repeated solicitations, they were induced
to approach, and drawing down the BALLOON
brought Inc to the ground.
Soon afterwards, was Joined by party on
horseback, from Elkton, who taking hold of
the anchor rope, as sat in the car, carried
me, sailing through the air, along the turn
pike to Elkton, a distance Of 4 miles, where
at half past arrived in safety, discharged
the gas, folded the balloon, and at seven had
finished the folding and securing the balloon,
car. &c.
As we passed along the turnpike, the inter-
vention Of trees sometimes made the road too
narrow for the passage Of the balloon, which
was then, by lcngthening the cable, elevated
above them, and brought over their tops.
! This morning went to Frenchtown, and
by rail road and steamboat reached Philadel-
phia at PM.
/ 1t is not easy to tell the exact distance ira
,versed during the two hours and six minutes
passed in the air, but it is probable that it was
not less than one hundred miles.
, In descending, adopted simple plan Of
estimating the force and direction of the cur
rent beneath me. A feather of sufficient size
to be visible at distance, loaded in such
manner as to fall slowly, floats along with the
balloon and its current, until it enters anoth-
er atmospheric movement, when it is seen to
take the new direction. The nronaut may
thus be guided to choice of current before
he enter it. In ascending, the same kind of
knowledge may be had by letting off very
small balloons prepared for the purpose, and
carried up in the car.
\ cannot conclude, without expressing my
thanks to the friends at Lancaster, who gave
me countenance and assistance, and To the
good people of Elkton, who did every thing
in their power to promote my comfort and
convenience.
The annexed table will show the various
attitudes, and their corresponding tcmpera-
lures. ] should have noticed the time of en-
tering the clouds, and their exact elevation
but was so completely absorbed by the
beauty and variety of the phenomena, that !
entirely forgot to make at that time the ne
cessary observations.
am, very respectfully, yours, &c.
JAMES MILLS.