True American. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1835-18??, 1839-03-08
BALLOON ASCENSION.

On the 9th OfFebrlary 1882, | was 10 have made
my eighteenth ascension into the atmosphere but on
account Of rain it was postponed u. March 3D. The
day came the Initiation ofthe balloon commenced,
but the wind being violent, the silk tom in several
places so that it was again necessary to put of the
ascent This 'aStp"stponement, an tod gave great
ole some people. Why that should offend them
know not. They could not have supp sei that was
incapable Of performing what had undertaken to do,
for had arendy made seventeen ascents, two oil winch
III ,,ic from this city: and it evident imposition
was Intended, as had refused 10 sell tickets. March
9th fixed upon for the ascension. Tie day
cloudy but calm and plea ant. Al ) o'clock l.. NJ.
commenced my flight I" the upper rc.i inns oft ra'mos.
phere-iur few moments my attention vas directed
to my friends and the gay multitude that had putroized
me but they and the buildings which surrounded
them formed only small portion of the vast scene
which was gradually unfolding list IT, The porui"us
city of New Orleans nuw wholly exposed to my
view, with its magnificent buildings its long line Of
Ships steam boats, and other watcr craft, all bearing
! testimony of its wealth and commercial importance
Then nv attention was invited by the woods, the lakes
the Mississippi river uni the rich plantations the
coast.
great part of the country around being nnavorable
for descend upon, became necessary for to
pay attention, in usk time, to the direction in which
was travelling and 10 select suitable place to land
upon Ny course at first was nearly duewest ana
reaching the altitude of bout three quarters Of mile
caught current of air, which gently waited me
in northern direction. This vim! would have Carried
over Lake Pnnclartrnin had been DESTROYS 10 con
time my voyage but the night would be dark, and
would lie unable TO select good landing place, lie
t.rmined land of the plantations et"e thu
| city and the lake. Fifteen minutes after starting
gained my greatest altitude, which did not exceed
mile. This heish, considered sufficiently grea
to interest the spectators. was now due-north of thu
Gas Works. and moving in the direction Of one Of tn
race courses. l now let Off small quantity OF gu
and commenced descending. In five minutes more
was sufficiently to sec persons running from al
directions but from their apparent size and SOW mo-
ton Il might hive taken them for insects creeping
the ground. | could distinctly hoar voices, hnoon!
and shouting, come down, come down. On approach
ing the earth, cnugbt the current thai first too
,ne in IL western direction This wind carried me iro
the dire cUn of the race course, tn that OF Bayou
John. On coming within few hundred yards Of tn
ground, perceived that should be carrier anung Ii
trees, if did not increase the velocity of dcsccn
therefore agaln opened the valve OF the ball Don.
descended rapidly to within hundred fee, Of Il,
EARTH then threw three bags Of ballast, which in
mediatey checked my downward course. Some III
grocs ca,ght hold Of the grapncl and drew gsn,l
to the ground. was safely funded on the plant;
ton of MIR. Louis Aard, near Bayou It. John, ali.
travelling by the which took about five mile:
and remaining in The mir thirty. five minutes. The a
loon ricd to grnss plat in fru, of the
sion of the above named gcntlcnun-l now met with
warm reception by 6Ir. Louis AIlardanl his u,n IAN
received every assistance that was required,
] would express my thanks IL TIE ladies' and &c
tlemen who did the honor TO puttonze me, md to Il
| the gentlemen connected with the Gas Works, vi
willingly rendered all the ar: that lay in their powe
| RICHARD CLAYTON.