Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1858-10-23
THE GREAT BALLOON RACE.
The Rival Arroaauts on their Travris-A.-
cension Of Three balloons.
From the Gin ;innati Gazette, 18th. ]

From the Gin ;innati Gazette, 18th
Yesterday afternoon the great balloon race,
which has been the talk of the town for the past
two weeks, took place from the City Lot and
was witnessed by probably l00, 900 people. The
rival Aeronauts were to start at O'Clock, and
long before that hour the grounds were com
fortably filled with people, while outside, sur
rounding the entire enclosure, there WAS one
dense mass OF human beings. Wagons ear
riages, carts, and vehicles of every description,
were drawn up along the curb stones Of the
streets bounding the square. The streets were
completely blockaded for considerable dis
lance In every direction. The fences were
taken possession of, and the trees were waving
with old and young America in them
At 10 o'clock a. IN, the initiation of the large
balloons commenced within the enclosure and
when about half full Of gas, the small balloon,
the Niagara, was brought upon the ground and
filled At o'clock, j. U. belman stepped into
the car, and, waving the stars and stripes, was
cast loose from the earth, and rose rapidly
above the heads of the immense mass amidst
the shouts of thousands. The voyager moved
off IN a nOrtheasterly direction, at an altitude
of about one mile.
THE BALLOONS IN THE GREAT RAcE-rHEIR
DIMENSIONS AND APPEARANCE
The balloon of Prof. Steiner, which he styles
the Pride Of the West, is constructed of the
finest Irish linen, 800 yards being required
like an egg, and possesses an ascending power,
when fully inflated, sufficient to carry 900
pounds, including its own weight. The amount
Of gas consumed in initiating it was 30 00U cubic
feet. The car in which the Aeronaut rode was
q large round willow basket, about four feet in
height, tastily covered with red velvet and gilt
lace. Inside the car, the Professor tai about
900 pounds Of ballast, a basket of provisions,
can Of water, and bottle of wine, the latter
contributed by friend.
The balloon Of Monsieur GODDARD, THE Ls-
viathan," was much larger than its rival. 1t
WAS constructed of brown linen, and when in
hated made a beautiful appearance, being
much more symmetrical and egg-lIke than the
pride Of the West 1t had also greatly the
advantage in the amount of gas, it requiring
80, 900 cubic feet to initiate it-giving Monsieur
GODDARD ], $50 feet of gas the advantage over
his competitor in the race. In the basket with
the AerOnaut was Mr. VIM. Hoel, who made an
ascension with Mr.. q. some two or three years
since; and came near losing his life in the de-
scent, getting two or three ribs broken and
otherwise injured. He certainly exhibited an
uncommon degree Of nerve to attempt a second
erial voyage after his former experience.
THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE RAcE-TBE ARo-
NAUrS OFF TO TIE CLOUDS.
Notwithstanding the well-directed efforts of
Mayor Thomas, Chief Of Police Rufin, and the
| force under their command, the crowd almost
OVerrun tue calloonlStS, before they left the
ground. They broke down. the ropes, and suri
rounded the cars and the balloons, hardly af-
| fording passage e-way for communication be-
tween the two for the Committee to arrange
for their departure.
At ten minutes past four Prof Steiner an
nOunced to the Committee that he was ready,
| and jumping upon the hoops of his balloon,
called to bis rival TO Come on" Some delay
| occurred in getting NJ. Godsrd's apparatus in
readiness, but at II minutes past the word
was given by Mayor Thomas for start, and
| both balloons were cast loose. Prof Steiner
started off little in advance of his competitor,
the Aeronaut standing erect in his car and
waving the American flag to his hopsands of
| friends below, who simultaneously joined in n
shout that might have been heard over half
the city. The thousands upon Thousands out
side were no less enthusiastic in their admirs-
tion OF the beautiful ascent and Joined in the
general huzza for the stars and stripes.
The balloon attained an altitude Of perhaps
mile, and struck of directly in the wake OF
the Niagara" the Professor waving his fag
and throwing out papers and handbills as he
ascended.
Monsieur GODDARD followed in a second q,
two after, rising beautifully above the immense
throng, and starting of In the rame direction
At tie height of one or two hundred feet Mon
sieur u. climbed from the bask ct pom the hoop,
| of the balloon, and waved a farewell with hi.
cap to his friends below. The chase then be
came exciting. In racing paslauce Steiner