The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1849-03-23
EXTRAORDINARY BALLOON EXCURSION. -Yest<

EXTRAORDINARY BALLOON EXCURSION -Yester-
day afternoon great crowd Of people assembled
near the corner OF Poydras aud ST. Charles streets,
to witness the feats OF M. Victor Verdal who
had announced that he would ascend with his bal.
loon at o'clock, not, as 10 customary, IN a car.
but attached to the balloon by rope, his tsst to
heaven, head to earth," and ascending would
perform some most wonderful 9rial ieats. We
did not see his exhibit IN previous to and lmme-
diately alter starting, but We HIM when at ais
greatest height, and witnessed his extraordinary
declenslon. The afternoon was excesd ln9ly favor
able for the daring aeronaut; bat an accideot oc-
cured as he started which placed him IN great
danger, as the event showed. 1t seems that when
ell was ready for the ascent, and the word was
gwen TO let go, rent OF some four feet was made
IN the balloon by getilpg ioul of post The gas,
OF course, commenced escaping, the balloon ct the
same time rising majestically, and verdalle going
through hlG novel performances, to the great de-
light OF the assembled multitude The balloon
did not rise to very. great height, but went of
steadily IN anorthern direction, the gas all the time
making Its escape. As it paesed Canal street,
we had q fine view, and continued watching the
taktrophe occurred. The first thing we noticed
preparatory TO the sudden decline and fall OF YER
dale and his balloon was the cantlng over of the
latter Before this, however, II seems that Ver-
dale was aware OF his danger, and had prepared
to meet 1t. The next thing we saw Immediately
alter the cantipg) was a great explosion OF the re-
naming gas, The sudden loss by the balloon Of its
swelling outline, and it's instantaneous tall ON
hear nothing else than that M Victor Verdaiie was
"amspg the thlngs that were;" that IN descending
from bis high position he was dashed 10 pieces
Such appeared 10 be the opinion OF every one
such was the prevailing report last evening But
the OBJ ion and the report were both incorrect. W
Victor Verdslle still lives, and, we understand,
showed himself in some OF our public places last
evening. 10 convince the skeptical Ii seems tnat
on be ing precpitated to the EARTH he landed 10
Garden In Moreau street, Third Municipality, aud,
wwonderful 10 relate, escaped without sustaining
the slightest injury The only way to account tor
this miraculous escape is by the superstition that
the WI nd was pretty strong, the balloon was In
measure kept up SO TO break the fall Loud
cheers from the assembled crowd greeted the dar-
Inp man wben It was ascertalned ithstand-
ipe the fearful rapldlty OF his fall he was sound
wind limL, and eyeslght M. VerdaIe yesterday
gave he most wonderful proof of his Proficiency
in ground and lofty ,umblmg we ever Witnessed
INp ORLEANS Crescent, March IL.
The EQUINOX The wind commenced blowing
a gale Il ON the southw last evening abou, sun
set and continued blowing in squalls with great
violence. during the night and this forenoon. AT
I'm early hour this forenoon, II commenced ram
ing, slDce which time much rain has fallen. We
tear that great damage hos been done TO the ship-
ping on the coast by the gale. Asyet, however,
we have heard OF but disaster IN this vicinity.
schooner with two topsails, aud OF apparently 80
tons burhen, IL ashore on the SPIT. Has a very
rack heel -Boston journal, March Il.