The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1856-11-15
THE DAILY DISPATCH.


BALLOON ASCENSION BY DAT AND MOONLIGHT
n. GODDARD made an ascension from philadel.hi..
Wednesday evening, with several eenslemsu. In
his AERIAL car. The Ledger gives an account Of the
voyage: -.
The balloon passed over the Delaware. at Vine
street, and took direction towards Petty's Island
but before reaching that point 1t was waited over
Coopers Point and then down the river un,,
nearly opposite Smiths Island Another .rrran.
OF air here took the voyagers, and the balloon wss
waited across Jersey towards Noorestowu. before
reaching which Mr. GODDARD gave his pasaenrers
80 experiment. to show bow be would secure his
balloon In case of q storm He was approachinr
heavy oak forest, and when nearly over IL de-
scenoed very rapidly until the basket was eutan
sied among the upper limbs
Atthe time Of the descent there appeared to be
out little wind, but as soon a. the basket came in
fresh, and the car was dragged for nearly hun.
dred yards. breaking and bending the limb be-
meath It, while the passengers were crouched down
In the basket. to keep their heads out Of harms
way Mr. GODDARD not having said anything of
his Intention to show this experiment his compan
ions were of the opinion that the balloon had burst
90, or the gas had condensed 90 rapidly that It
could not carry the load but the discharge of few
pounds Of ballast caused the balloon to soar aoft
rapidly TO tbs height of about 5000 feet.
When near the town of Fellowship some nine
miles from Philadelphia, NJ. GODDARD lost bis car
pet bag. it having fallen to the ground. As soon
as he discovered this, he Immediately opened the
valve, and the balloon descended with much ease
in the field Of Mr.. Amos Roberts, where it remain
ed until man was sent back for the lost property
While here number Of people collected and invi
fations were quite numerous for the party to stop
and take supper but the shades of evening com.
ing on, the voyagers were desrous of advancing
and enjoying ride by moonlight After ascend.
i1g gracefully second time, the balloon was waft.
cd slowly towards Moores.own, at which place
glorious sunset view was had As the moon be.
gan to cast Its silvery rays over the earth mixed
with the last beams of the sun, the effect was
exceedingly fius
The balloon then took mere easter,y course, and
passed over the town of Lumherton, each street
OF which and the stream near the town being dis
iinctly shown in the moonligbtthe balloon casting
Its huge shadow in the water and upon the ground,
long distance In advance. The passing Of the sha
dow over the earth showed to the passengers tho
spesd with which they were travelling. At Lum-
berton and many other points the route the bal
earth to allow thslpassengers with those
beneath them, ind inquire distances &c Several
good farmers extended inyitstions to supper stating
that it wss then ready. After enjoying the moon
light ride until nesrly eight and the ballast being
nearly consumed, ths cold condensing ths gas
pidly. making 1t ssary, M. GODDARD selected
fald about three niles from Mount Holly for his
scent, which was effected in gentle msnner
the property on which it lighted belonging to Nr
VIM. Johnson, TO whom the psrtg were indebted for
the means Of getting to Mount Holly. The distance
travelled in straight course was aome eighteen
miles, but in consequence of the various currents
consumed little over four hours.