The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1843-05-14

EapHa anas In TRIP OF THE AERIAL MAcHrNR-
An account has been forwarded 10 us from Scot
land oil an experiment tried few days ooo 80
Glasgow, with mashine constructed On The sanna
principle as that OF Mr. Henson. The experiment
was made by Professor Geolls, foreigner and hmt
fer an accident, 1t appears would have estabIIsbed
the principle commended for-viz the cspabilitv of
navigating the air Not wishing, however. TO ma e
vmisrepresentlOn upon the point, we give the mar
tculars from a narrative drawn up by Professor
Geolls himself The Professor, after stating that
he constructed his machine in exact accordance
with Mr.. Henson's specification, and that he had
paid great attention TO all the circumstances con-
necied with the light OF birds, says he fixed upon
the hill of Dumbuck, near Glasgow, for the trial
He then proceeds thus -
" The aerial machine was properly placed at an
altitude OF $50 llneal feet from the earth, and fixed
at the top (near the flag pos) in the usual way be-
ing heid by daggers, perfectly similar to those used
by shipbuiders, and only requiring one blow of the
maui to tree II and allow it flee:
IL was with no small degree of trepidation not
unmixed with a lively excitement that at an early
hour, before the dawn had scarcely tinted the cas-.
terri horizon, found my preparations ali cempete
and every thing ready for my unusual and interest
ing fight.
A, sh s5m P. M. entered the car, and exactly at
An 3Sm 80 sec | struck the dagger and liberated the
machine and away she shot with the speed OF CHIT
ming Before she reached half the extreme end
OF the ways the mercury In the barometer had rs-
en- one and halt tenlhs, which exactly conceded
with my calculations, and proved that the angle of
the inclined plane was 32A degrees. On reaching
the end OF the ways the velocity acquired, not only
from descent down the plane, but from the operation
OF the vertical tanners Che engine having been set
going simultaneously with the precipitation of the
daggers,) she had began to lift, and clearing the
brow, had, in fact, risen few yards, plainly
indicated by the falling again OF the mercury. THIS
gave me great confidence, and enabled me to make
a few necessary observations more calmly than
otherwise would have done, had matters NOT sue
ceeded so favorably. On looking back, observed
that was considerable distance from the hil and
in fact, the flag post was scarcely dstingushablel
had risen likewise 625 feet (per baromee) in addi-
ton to the height of The brow of the precpice orr
glnally set out with, which, stated, being $50
feet, made my present altitude exactly T2 feet. The
thermometer here stood at 80 degrees, being two
degrees below The freezing point but on accountet
the great interest felt IN what was about, well
from the slight heat emittedby the furnace Of the
engine, did not feel the cold at all.
81 must now speak OF the engine, which did its
duty beyond anything | can conceive or describe.
The strokes of the engine averaged 922, with pres
sure on the safety valve OF seven and half pounds
to the square inch, and vacuum In the condenser
of ten and three quarter pounds; the speed as far as
| could Judge by the imperfect instruments had,
being at the same time about fifty-two and half
leagues yer hour; my altitude (per barometer), ex-
acty twenty-five minutes after launching, being
nearly a mile Matters thus progressed, my altitude
getting greater and greater, and my speed in proper
ton. However, must state a curious discovery
that made at this particular moment, and which,
but for the explanation that Immediately followed,
would have given me considerable une asiness and
alarm The ngine which, at my former observa-
ton, had been, as have stated, 922 strokes per
minute, | now found to be only al. This, asI
have said, was alarming, and would have immed-
ately determined me to descend to the earth again.
but that happily able to account for il by dis.
covering, through the application of Professor Rus
ses indicator, the iDcompeteness of the vacuum in
the condenser, and which likewise ascertained to
| be entirely owing to the great height had then at
| tanned; indeed, found that the vacuum wasredu-
ced TO only SIX and quarter pounds, and the baro-
meter indicated at the same time that had attained
an altitude of nearly three miles from the earth.
From the extreme rarity OF the air at this high ee-
walton, now underwent the usual giddiness offeel.
| ing, similar to that described by those individuals
who have assembled Mont Blanc, and particularly
by DIR. Humel, of st Petersburgh. / had. in fact,
considerable headache and ringing in my ears, 80
much so that determined to descend 10 a height
not greater than mile and half from the earth
"Thls easily effected by depressing the tail of
the machine, which up to this moment had kept
at an angle with the horizon OF nine and three quar-
tiers degrees to that of IS My course had not va.
rled since leaving the hill; it WINS, per compass
south west. and by west half passing over Ayr
shire, and in direct line from Dumbuck to Ailsa
Craig, whittier indeed was tending, with the view
OF landing, the latter being admirably suited for
launching the machine IN similar way that
adopted at Dumbuck, on my return home again.
Daylight had now broken, and the scene was
most gorgeous passed many ships and in partic-
uldr one steamer but whose paltry speed in conipu,
ls0n with mine was nothing. Alas. however. this
was not destined TO last tor just had shst
of the steamer, which was steering WSW, some
thing went wrong with the machinery, and the fa>-
ners stopped This did not at ali alarm Inc, loi, ss
described by MIR. Henson, these tanners are ony
necessary Tor propulsion, and not at all requisite
for maintaining the machine in the air Unfortu-
uatey, however, perfectly forgot, in the hurry
the moment, to remove the weights from the safetv-
valve, and the effectsfrom this disastrous
extreme. The great accumulation OF steam that
took place was too much tor the pipes, auo coIse-
quently bang went three of Them the instant
Inc machine at this exact moment feeling it's equ-
brlum altered, surged considerably land the
ing pipes necessarily followed the example OF the
Others hzz, bizz, whizz, away they went one alter
the other, like popguns. Unfortunately, one OF
these pipes in flying off, struck bamboo stretcher.
and shattered it that the machine, losing bear
ance on one side, topped over and became unman-
ageable; she in fact, whired over and over in a
way that may be imagined, but which is altogether
impossible to describe
81 of course descending with fearful
fapdty, and nothing was left TO template but
death and destruction. | can ONLY compare my sen.
satlons at this moment TO those experienced n a
nightmare, which every one knows are not the most
agreeable in the world SenslbIlity now forsook
me ; and, indeed, this to be wondered at
IN cons' quence OF the whlrng Of the machine. On
coming to my senses again, found myself in bed
with severe headache, nausea, and vomiting the
usual accompaniment OF such flight through the
AR; but, thanks to Providence, | am now in fair
way OF recovery, and willing 10 perform the same
feat again.
1t appears that the commander of the steamer had
sen; boat to the assistance of the intrepid expert
mentalst, and saved him, but the machine was lost.
- London 1uas
Military INSTRUMENTATION Brook, Tampa
Bay, has been added 10 The list OF chaplain pests
Adlutant Generals Department -Brevet Majors.
Cooper, Asst. Adj General, assigned 10 duty a. the
headquarters OF the 81 military department, and to
report TO Maj. Gen. Gaines, st st Louis. Brevet
Capt n Preniiss Assistant Adjutant General, as
signed to duty AT the headquarters OF the first mill
tary department, 10 report To brig. Gen. Arbuckle,
New Orleans.
Engineer Corps Captain John Sanders, in charge
of improvem ents on the Ohio river Address Pits
burg, Pa.
Typographical Engnees.-Captan c. Graham,
. n survey of the communication from Albemare
sound TO the Atlantic ocean. Address Wilmington
N G. Captain g. w Hughes, on duty in the Blu