Marshall County Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1855-1859, 1857-07-16
An ErOnaut Picked up On
EIasSe Erie.

The propeller Mary Stewart arrived here
night before last, bringing with her gen
teman named John Il Steiner, resident
of Philadelphia, and an aeronaut of celebri
~, whose presence on board is accounted
for in the following manner:-The Mary
Stewart was out four hours from B ittalo,
on her way to this place, and twenty-five
miles below Long Point, when Cabtain
Woodruff discovered at about 5 o'clock,
small specpk in the midst of black cloud,
which he watched for some time, suppos-
ing it to be gull on the wing. 1t was
about two and half miles high, when first
seen. He procured telescope. aud bring
ing it to bear upon the object, ascertsined
at once that it was larg balloon, with Il
man ia the car attached underneath. Com
pretending the danger to which the aerou-
aut was subjected, rs nj ght was coming on,
and tho wind was blowing heavy gale,
and increasing fast, he Immediately or
dered the flag hoisted, and the whistle sound
ed. When this had been done, the aeron
aut waved small flag. in return, and com
menced descending. The balloon was at
this time about fifteen miles distant from
the propeller, and driving on towards her at
the terrific speed fsixty Or seventy miles al
hour. The balloon continued descending
with great velocity until it struck the water,
about one mile to windward Of the prop
eller. The aeronaut was buried in the wa
ter, but was soon after released from his
uncomfortable situation, as the balloon,
with the effects Of the recoil. sprang into
the air, and made a bound of about hum
dred feet in height, and quarter of a mile
in length. 1t then struck again and re-
bounded in like manner, and continued ia
king the same terrific leaps, dragging its
passenger through the walery, now COM
pletely submerged, and again flying
through the air in a manner entirely unco1-
trollable It. bore down upon the propeller,
some twenty or twenty-five rods astern
where aboat, containing the two mates. and
crew were awaiting lis arrival. 1t
passed over them. and the men caught the
grapuel that was hung out. and secured
it in the bow of the boat.-Mr. Steiner
jumped out and reached the boat by swim
ming, and an effort was made to return to
the propeller. A tremendous gale was
blowing by this time, and the balloon STAR
ted off to leeward, carrying the yawl boat
and lis crew of at the rate of fifteen or
twenty-five miles IN hour. Captain Woods
ruff shouted 10 the mate TO shift the grapnel
to the stern of tie boat. and pull with his
oars, SO as to h,ld his way against it, until
the propeller could run down and pick them
up. In attempting to do this. the line TO
which the grapnel was attached was jerked
+ from their hands with irresistible force and
the balloon assembled, and was out Of sigh
in less than one minute. The propeller
was then reached without much difficulty.
Mr. Steiner says that he started from
Erie at about half-past three in The after
noon, with the intention of taking a trip to
Canada before light. He had intended to
have started II the morning, but was pre-
vented by the rainy weather. The balloon
rose to the height of three miles, and was
driven by favorable wind across the lake,
and az rived within three miles of the Can
ada shore, when the wind changed and
blew him back, ha'f way across the lake.
] Auohted strong current struck him. which
&c rried him down the lake towards Buffalo
at railroad speed He was on this course
wien he discovered the propeller, at nearly
The same time he was discovered by Cap
tain Woodruff He commenced by letting
off the gas, and descened in time to reaci
the boat as described. His escape is {
narrow one, for II the boai's crew had beer
unable to secure the rope as he pissed them
at his fearful rate of sbeed, he must have
drowned. as no person could withstand be
ing dragged through the water at velocity
Of fifty miles an hoar for any great length
of time,
: Mr.. Steiner is an experienced aeronaut
having made, including this one, forty as
: tensions. He returned to Erie last eve
nirg on the Cleveland boat.