Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1857-07-02
THE BALLOON.
Incidents of the Voyage.

Monsieur Morat. who left this city at
6 / 2 O. CLOCK on Friday evening, accom-
panied by Messrs. James s. Compton and
4 BRAN Van Wrinkle, in the balloon Uncle
SAM landed in safety at 8 o'clock the
same evening at Kelseyyille, near Clinton,
Middlesex County, Conn, about u miles
from New Haven, and 125 miles from
this city.
The young men accompanying Mons.
Morat, both of whom have many friends
in this city, promised to Immediately tele-
graph when they landed, and as no intel
| ligence had been received from them up
to yesterday noon, fears were entertained
for their safety, and telegraphic dispatch
es were sent to New York, giving the
circumstances under which they Left and
stating that they had not returned nor
been heard from. During Saturday and
Sunday. the drug store of Dir. King. cor
ner of Market and Mulberry sts., where
Van Wrinkle was employed, and the Office
Of Mr.. Compton were filled with crowd
all of whom were deeply interested in the
fate of the party.
AT IL IL o'clock yesterday noon, the
apprehensions were quieted by the arri.
val of stage from New York, contain
| ing Messrs Van Wrinkle and Compton, in
sound condition, and highly pleased
with their voyage. of which they gave the
following account.
| At 6 12 o'clock they left terra 6rma
and sailied off between Bellville and
Snake Hill, which they describe as pre-
senting beautiful appearance. Snake
Hill appeared to be like small mole.
and the Hackensack river as a snake
The view as presented at this time and
indeed throughout the whole trip was
most magnificent, as the meadows, rivers,
bays and surrounding cities were spread
out like panorama. They then passed
over Hoboken, New York and High
Bridge, and thence over the East River,
Fashion race course, Long Island, and
thence across the Sound, after passing
which current Of air sent them back,
and another current then again sent them
over it,
In passing over the Sound the last time
Morat told them that he must either get
into another current of air, drop in the
Sound or go to sea. In order to get high,
er, almost everything was thrown over.
even the bag of provisions, the water pail
and dipper, and the speaking trumpet,
and at one time the Professor wanted the
contents Of their pockets thrown over
They finally succeed in shifting their
course, going to the north over the land
and then proceeded to make preparations
to descend. On nearing the ground the
grapnels were thrown out and first
caught in the roof Of house, part of
which it tore off, terrifying the inmates,
who thought the comet had struck
The balloon then drifted on about
mile further and finally was stopped be
tween two trees, at height of 80 feet
from the ground, which the Adventures
reached by means of rope, and after Sc
curing the balloon, they proceeded to seek
some place Of shelter for the night. Ow-
ing to the darkness, and being in a wood.
they were unable to find theiy way, and
after wading through swamp in which
they sank nearly to the armpits in mud,
they lay down under tree and remained
there for the night, amid drenching
shower.
In the morning they went to the house
of Mr. Kelsey, who gave them break
fast, and procuring yoke of oxen, then
went in search of their balloon, which
was found fast in the trees, as left, and to
obtain which they were obliged to cut the
tree down. They were taken to Clinton.
about 4 miles distant, and thence by the
cars of the New Haven Railroad to New
York on Saturday night, few minutes
too late to return to Newark by the II
P. NJ. train.
The view is described by the voyagers
as the most splendid they ever witnessed.
The great cities of New York, Brooklyn,
Jersey City and the surrounding country
with its fields Of green, were plainly yisi-
BILE as on amap, and apparently separated
from each other by small creeks of water.
Trains were seen and heard on the New
Jersey Railroad, and the voices of men
shouting "see the balloon, there it goes"
The horses practising on the Fashion
Course appeared to be very small. and
yet the sounds Of their hoofs could be
heard. In passing over the Sound they
saw two steamboats,, the padding of the
wheels and putting Of the engines Of which
they could hear. 1t is little curious
that while they could hear everything on
earth, nothing could be heard from them,
though they used powerful speaking
trumpet.
Mons. Morat left the balloon in New
Haven, as he will make an ascent in Bos
ton this week. Ifsuitable encouragement
is afforded he will make another ascent