The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-10-05
Explosion OF q BalloOn-EearfulD esce nj
IErnna The Iliica 4


We have already noticed the from the fair
grounds at Rome, on Thursday, by Mr.. Coo and Mr..
descent, owing to accident to the balloon which took
them skyward. Yesterday the gentlemen who
male the TIP and from Their own Ups learned TIC par
Messrs. Coe and Cottman:-
They started at precisely four O'Clock; the ascent
rapid after reaching altitude Of about two hundred
feet The balloon took at first northwestery course but
al height Of about mile took due south course for
distance about five miles then at height OF over two
niles the balloon famous easterly current SO
often alluded To by balioonsts.
The body OF the balloon constantly expanding fror,
the effects II the heat and air There clouds below
floating in the air. and the reflection Of the SUMS light upon
the air vessel was very pereebie The glare at times
was a!mos. binding. When the easterly current was
reached the balloon drted toward the east at speed OF
about thirty miles per hour, ana the voyagers were IN
high glee At this point the below grand in the
extreoethe earth had ai,ncst assumed the aspect Of
piece Of mosaic work small objects no. visible, yet
streams, villages and cities dscernabe distinct
objects on the surface.
Al about twenty before Eve Mr. Coe discovered
tia. part Of the apparatus pertaining TO the safety valve
Of bis baloon Geranccd, and io:a.ed that it
could not be restord He al attempted To discharge
the from the upper valve order to descend-con
sccrs that the difficulty alred 10 could not overcome
The valve the top worked well but the pressure the
safety valve (which had been deranged) from the lower
pant oe the balloon was so great that an explosion followed
causing rent N the balloon from the lower valve 10 its
greatest circumference TIC rent was some forty feet in
length.
valert the discharge OF ruske In about
after the descent rapid 20 increase the rent IN
most the entire upper portion OF thar vessel open In
hall minute after the second rent WIS discovered there
was rot foot OF gas IN the balloon For nearly half
mile the vossgers came down at a most terrific speed
feeling The sensation that experiences in high
swing in rapid Motion The silk and ccrdage, the bal
loon osc!od, caused rafting sound like the rigging Of
ship in storm.
Descending half mile the main portion Of the balloon
was lLroan on side c the netting caused the
vessel to sway violently, and the basket and passengers
raised TO height with the valve OF the
sci Itself. This motion was experienced several times,
and krfE .lf.r..
acrcnars changing their position IN the Finally
this swayng motion increased by the voyagers until
they succeeded in forming PAT aohut- OF the remnants or
me oaHoon when the RAPID ate OF speed IN her descent
was measrrsahy tupeGso. During the last half mile be-
fore reaching the earth their OF speed was but rs
more rapid than that OF the ordinary descent Of we'll
ordered balloon.
When reaching pon, within ono hundred feet of the
OF the trees Pond Knobs, in the Rome swamp
each OF the passengers having sand bag ready 10 throw
out discharged this amount OF weight and the balloon
concluded its descent 70 the ground with less speed The
passengers suspended seventy feet in the
the limbs Of OF the taest trees in the swamp
while tho balloon spread itself several other
By good fortune Messrs Coa and Cotman reached
terra frna in safety, after making graceful descent
from the tree. Arriving in the swamp in safety they
paricck Of refreshments remaining the car, and gave
three enthusiastic cheers for the fortunate result Of their
perous trip.
hood arrived and furnished the ycyagcrs with necessary
assistance.
AT the moment Of the explosion Mr. Cottman asked Mr.
Gee wha: be donef The assured him that
the balloon would down all right, excep. at fearful
l rate Of speed.
At tbegrapple and ropes thrown out and ali
the extra weight except the sand bags The aerial
eursonss perfectly cool and conversed together d
ring the descent But for their presence OF mind they
would not probably have escaped alive They both
sured that after the balloon formed into parachute
they had the slightest fear Of harm But r the few
seconds after the explosion when the and the
nants Of the balloon swayng alternately above each
other, their fears could not be suppressed.
Yesterday afternoon the balloon brought to Rome
IN damaged condition An examination Of the air ship
satisfied Mr.. Coo that the appliance called safety valve
which he invented himself and which designed 70 work
by rope from the outside of the balloon had been dam
aged before he started the trip, and consequence
could not be made seryceabe This valve is underneath
ney the air and heat may expand depress the body
Of the balloon Once finally closed beyond the power OF
operating it, the expansion OF the gas under the influence
OF extraordinary heat great for the endu-
OF the fabric of which the balloon constructed
and the explosion followed q matter OF course.