Burlington free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1827-1865, 1844-05-24

PERlLOUS AERONAUrICS.

Mr.. Wise made an ascension in the car of his
balloon "Vesperus," from Hollidaysburg, p, mn.
on Saturday evening last, BY which, IN conse.
quence of a violent storm which arose, he came
near loosng his life. He succeeded, however,
in his descent in lodging himself in the top a
high tree, with the loss Of his balloon, which
was carried off with great rapidi,y by the storm.
On the same evening, the balloon. allghted on
the premises Of Rev. John II. Van Valkenburg,
in Lexington, 90 miles from Catskll in New
York, 200 miles from the place of its ascent
1t contained when found a basket, containing
cake, small bottle. and papers printed the same
day at Iiollidaysburgh.
Wr Wise gives the following account of his
descent.
The balloon tonk nor,hcrly direction, and
was ascending rapidly until | reached an alt.
tude of about 1000 feet where it encountered
violent gale from the west, swinging it TO and
fro, and cracking the net work at every surge.
My heart at once began to sicken at the idea of
falling away from the balloon at that height, with
nothing to protect me but The car and net work
and the sensations and scenes we're rendered
still more gloomy by the lowering appearance
OF the heavens in every direction as around and
beneath the clouds appeared to be discharginr
torrents of rain and wind. | could also see the
valley west of the Allegheny mountains, where
the sun was shedding down It's beams Of igEt
and life.
| At this crisis an expedient flashed across my
mind. The valve rope would at least bear "A
hundred pounds, and Ike top Of the balloon being
equally strong, threw the greatest part of the
weight OF my body upon it. This necessarily
opened the valve To It's full extent, and must
soon bring the machine to the ground. But the
velocity OF the wind (being at the rate of abou,
fifty miles per hour) carried me sixteen miles
before reached terra firm threw out my
anchor, which grapped in fence and capszcd
1t, and alter bounding over the field it caught
again in fence and broke the rail. This con-
cusslon was so violent, and | finding myself
driving into rugged piece Of timber land |
made an attempt to jump overheard into a
! ploughed field; but the balloon rose with VIC.
lent surge, and WAS caught in a hitch of the
ropes by one leg; fortunately grasped the drag
rope in an inverted position. thinking would
hang on 10 that il my leg should be released.
Having lost considerable ballast in The con.
cusson, The balloon in few moments dashed
me INTO the top Of a high tree in piece of wood
land; my leg still fast to The rigging OF the car
Here took IA hitch To limb of tree, and even
succeeded in tying firm knot. ! now made a
desperate effort to release my foot from the car
which Was tossing about in the tree top and the
squall against the balloon would draw the tree
over making the fearful that the top would be
broken off BY a violent kick ! succeeded in
leasing my foot, with the loss of my boot, from
the car.
A single rope still held it fast to the tree, and
after got a too'.hold on the tree secured the
valve cord in my hand the squalls however
became stronger until 1t broke the rppe by which
| had dashed II to the tree top with a terrible
crash, and jerked the valve rope through my
lett hand, burning the skin to crisp The bal.
loon IN few moments dashed out of sight, the
car keeping it IN tolerabe trim.
discovered in viewing the machinery that !
had taken unnecessary alarm in the breaking OF
the network, as it plainly proved Itself sutii.
clently strong to have born its load to any desir.
ed distance. Ny regret was enhanced by the
favorable opportunity that was before me o.
reaching Philadelphia by early candle light
Alter solil"qnizng in the tree top upon the days
adventure for while, began to chamber down
ITS trunk, leaving the end .! the drag rope dan
Cling in its TOP, ready for port ofentry to touch
at in my contemplated trip from Pittsburgh
across the mountains to the eastern cities, as
soon as can rig up a new machine.