Richmond daily Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1842-1861, 1843-06-26
A PERILoUs ADVENTURE IN a BALLOON.
Wise. the Eronaut.


Correspondence Phhdelphia Inquirer &
CARLISLE, June 10, IsI3.
Mr.. Editor: According to announcement, Saturday
last, my orty-irst nria excursion, from the
Borough Of Carlisle Is minutes past O'clock slight
breeze from the West waited shor, distance when the
ascent became perpendicular The frst thing that
drew my attention. the immense ocean vi heads that
itself the square; there appeared be infinitely
peopeon the immediate ground, than have witnessed
for some ume at Balloon AScenson and the whole affair
appeared animated from the fine appearance of the
military together with their repeated firing after the depar
Of the Comet" When had reached point about
miles of the town, the balloon commenced rapid
and perpendicular ascent which brought TO the
base of huge black cloud and has always created
deep interest TO spectators TO balloon passing through
clouds, did hesitate this occasion give
audience exhibition Of this kind, although might
have avoided and kept beneath the clouds where the
rent would have taken to Harrisburg, which place
already distinctly my view. This part ofmy adventure,
had reason after regret; although the present
tme IL gives qualification contemplate ren.
y than anything that has lately transpired my
The details that shall here give this terrible
may be relied kept ysef sufficiently composed
10 appreciate it, grandeur and observe It's physical operations.
% miles if dialeer. IL appeared of Circular form
and considerably depressed in its lower sunace-or
might presented toward the earth
with ats outer edges very ragged IL also OF dark
smoky color. noticed distance from where en-
tered the cloud, the appearance OF heavy shower Of
The INST sensations experienced when entering the cloud
were extremely unpleasant. difficulty OF respira al
suocaton followed by sickness of the
THIS, however, somewhat abled for short tme-the cold
M the mean time becoming intense, and every thing of
hbrous ickly covered with boar frost The coud
at this point which appeared be the midst of IT, had
not the black appearance presented underneath
OF hight milky color and yet dense, that could only
family the balloon above distance Of sixteen
From The intensity OF tie cold this cloud concluded
That the gas would cOndeDse ITSELF and the balloon would
consequently soon descend beneath again. where the at
muspbere much warmer In tins however found
myself mistaken; for, few minutes after entering the
eo1d' was whiring upwards with fearful rapdity, the
balloon gyrang and the describing large circle in the
cloud; noise resembling the rushing Of 1000 mill dams
with dismal moaning noise Of wind, surrounded this
terrible flight Whether this rushing occasoned by
the hail and snow which the time was mercessy petng
around the balloon, am unable to tell was in hopes
should soon be tossed Of the top OF the cloud and there
ENJOY the cOngena sunshine pleasant above the clouds
But IN this disappointed for after being hurled up as
ihnk many hundred feet the balloon appeared be sud
denly released and would fall again with fearful rnpidty
the lower part hurled and ro aud then again driven mn
into the cavity Of the upper part all the time dcharging gas
copousy from the neck and breakages by the ice
This hurting and down repeated eight or &c times
Every Thing that Of a fbrous nature such a. the
anchof' car, aud balloon. became coated with smooth
AL the ue mat renamed IN this cloud, which twenty
minutes tie storm ragged with unabated fury and IL was on
by the immense loss Of gas that became released from
ls ieTTos felt an intense drOwsness all the while which
hnk was only overcome by the sickness Of the stomach fol-
lowed by powerful t Of vomiting. After this felt some
what easier both In mind and body Or use 10 saw
That was considerably alarmed aud gaspcd firmer hold
OF the sides Of the car determined abide the result with
as much comPosuTe and observation the nature Of the
case would admit appeared evident that the common
discharge Of ballast would neither let me down or
up, through this huge tenant Of the After being tossed
up aud dosn as before stated finally released from
ITS cavens Of hail. snow and ccle and found myself be-
tween and the earth, receiving the benefits Of heavy and
cola shower OF ram coming down the spontaneous pa
Tacbnte principle with portion Of gas remaining an the
balloon sufficient 10 raise about fifty pounds weight from
the earth made final descent Mr.. Goodyears farm
hye miles from Carlisle must remark, that tire density
Of this cloud did appear alike all through IL as oplJ
81 umss distinctly see the balloon aud pieces Of paper Of
which large quantity was whihed OF the car in the
beginning Of the scene. also noticed that violent con-
Vouhonay action was going on, like fomenltiOn and the
direction Of the passage Of the hail and was proms
cnous such Is the history Of this short but awful and
naRnihceni trap, and can assuTe my Tendos that when
again meet clouds Of this character have frequently
shall part company Of the earliest opportunity by ascend
ing sufficiently pass over them, keep sufficiently low
10 pass benoaih them.
Very respectfully, your obodont friend,
JOHN WISE.
Carlisle, June 49, Is43