Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-08-17
Mis1rIlauroms.
From the Batavia Advocate.
The Balloon Ascension.


We are indebted to Mr.. Thurston for the fol-
lowing account of his Balloon Ascension. 1t
will be read with interest:
Batavia, July 27, 1850.
Commenced the initiation at half past IL
O'Clock, cut loose from my moorings at O'Clock
5 minutes The Balloon being new and well
lflled aseended very rapidly, and in the space
of minutes vsas entirely hidden from the
multitude in the dense clouds, which were
about half mile high, and appeared to be
livery much agitated by the wind After pas
sing entirely through the clouds the sun shone
/ in all its splendor upon me. AT 4,o'elock %
minutes reached current of sir which ap-
peared to blow from the south east and wsft-
ed me with great velocity. AT o'clock 3
minutes reached current of wind which
caused my balloon to vibrate and make a
quick rotary motion, which is called by sailors
'sea Sickness" but in about two minutes
passed through this flaw of wind-the mercu-
ry standing at this time at 80. At4 O'Clock
Is minutes my Balloon became fully distend-
ed. the hydrogen escaping at the lower ori6ce,
which was intentionally left open. l immedi-
ately opened the valve and let portion of the
gas escape to ease her, which did in meas
ure, but did not seem 20 check her upward
flight for, like the proud eagle, she scared
aloft as if determined to leave all fog and mist
below, which she had now nearly accom-
plished.
At 4 O'Clock 20 minutes, found 1 had
reached the eastern current of air and was
passing eastward with great rapidity, although
unconcious of any motion. I considered my
self at this time about 10000 feet from the
earth, and still ascending with great velocity.
A scene here presented itself far beyond
my ability to describe, and L will not attempt
it only in outline About 5000 feet below
lrne the clouds appeared like vast ocean Of
idown in continual motion, as far as the eye
could extend, and of the purest white; and
above me not cloud to be seen-nothing but
the blue canopy of heaven, which contrasted
beautifully with the silvery clouds beneath
The sun was now about two hours above the
horizon. / cast my eyes to the east, and saw
the shadow of my balloon on the clouds be-
meath, surrounded by broad halo displaying
all the tints of the rainbow While contem-
plating the scene, Morpheus invited me TO his
arms and for few moments l was wrapped
in slumber, from which l was awakened by
the hydrogen escaping from the lower orifce
| of the balloon, and coming in contact with my
olfactory nerves. Looking at my watch and
finding that I had slept minutes mediate
| ly opened the valve The escape of the gas
resembled that of the escape pipe of an en-
lgine.
judged myself at this time $4,000 fee
/ from the earth Ny body appeared to be very
much distended, breathing unnatural although
not difficult, and my eyes SO much distendec
as not to endure the rays of the sun without
giving me pain. Ny hearing also was very
acute, as could hear the lowing of cattle, ano
the rumbling noise produced by carriages.
At o'clock 40 minutes I began to calcu
lating my probable position, and from the
course had come l concluded must be neal
my own home, and determined to descenc
and obtain the result eff my calculations.
opened the valve and came down in :
dark dense cloud, so dark as to render me I'm
able to see the top of my balloon. When ii
this position, l again got into contrary vino
which caused my car to vibrste violently and
4 again brought on sea-sickness and vomiting
At o'clock 53 minutes l had descended
/ through this dense cloud and found that
was in sight OF Canadice and Hemlock Lake
and making directly for the former. l imme
diately inflated my life preserAer to be in re2di
ness in case was to have a watery alightins
place; but happily the wind changed and
alghted on the farm of Horace Hopping, in th'
town of Canadice Ontario county, and three
miles from my own house, at precisely I
O'Clock, being SIS minutes from the time o
starting travelling distance of As miles, anc
only 5 minutes in sight ofthe earth during the
voyage
AS l descended through the clouds was
observed by my friends, among whom were
W. D. Lemon, ]. E. Remington, D. H. Hanch
ett H. Gregg, and others, and although at I
distance of three miles from my own home,
had scarcely time enough to secure my bal
loon before these gentlemen were in attend
ance with carriages to convey me home.
This kindness which has been so otter
shown me on previous occasions 1 now take
great pleasure in acknowledging.
This is my twelfth aerial voyage.
IRA J. THURSTON.