Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1859-07-12
The Great Balloon voyage.

MI. Hlse anu party, WHO aSccnQeQ from OC.
Louis on Friday, the LIST inst, in the balloon At.
lantic, came down near Troy, N Y, the next af.
ternoon. The Troy Wing learns from Mr. Ga.
ger, one of the passengers by the balloon, the
following particulars
Saturday, half-past one o'clock, P. NJ, st.
LOUIS time, were abreast of Rochester. over Lake
Ontario, when the altitude was changed on in
crease OF the wind, which was blowing perfect
hurricane, unaccompanied by rain. The supply
OF gas was small. consequently the balloon did
not reach the altitude above the storm. The
vessel was Immediately headed to shore. When
the storm was highest the vessel was only a.
bout thirty feet above the level of the Lake.
"We reached land in few seconds in the
town of Henderson, Jefferson county, with all
hands on board. Welanded in an edge of woods
with the basket swinging to and fro, making
rapid evolutioDs among the higher branches of
the trees, the passengers clingng to the rigging.
The strength and general excellence of the ar.
rangement of the balloon basket, probably saved
the party. The balloon was left in high tree,
swinging above the boat and much damaged.
"The whole distance travelled is ], 150 miles;
we started at $40 P. NJ. on Friday from St.
Louis, and landed at Henderson, Jefferson coun-
ty, at 2.20 Saturday, P. NJ"
In passing lake Ontario the party were in
great peril, the ballon descending nearly to the
water. 1t went up again, however, and then
rushed into thick forest, dashing the occupants
of the car to and fro against trunks and limbs,
and finally caught in tall sycamore. The voy-
ayers were thus suspended thirty feet IN the air,
but all of them reached the ground in safety, ex-
cept Mr.. La Mountains, who was slightly in
jured by striking aginst limb.
The Utica Herald says "a number of farm
ers had observed the balloon rushing along over
the forest, and of course at its landing crowd
had collected. Refreshments were supplied to
the voyagers, and every courtesy and attention
promptly paid them. They were afterwards ia
ken to Adams, where they arrived about o.
clock.
''The excitement in Adams upon learning of
the arrival of the distinguished voyagers was
intense. AT first the people were incredulous-
they smelt meteor-remembered moon stories
did not wish to see elephants or any such sort
of animal-but when Mr.. Wise produced verita
BILE ST. Louis papers, dated the day before, and
other evidences of the voyage, the people be-
lieved, and the @ronauts were the lions OF the
town. An impromptu meeting was called
at Saunders Hall. At least 800 people were
present. Col. Hungerford presided, by whom
the voyagers were introduced to the audience
Professors Wise and eager respectively related
their experiences during the trip.
"From them we learn that the night after
leaving st. Louis was passed without special in
cident. The voyagers all slept comfortably
Daylight Saturday morning found them over
Fort Wayne, Indiana; passing east they reached !
Toledo and struck off across Lake Erie, Alto
ledo the voyagers were within hearing distance
of persons on terra drma, who very generously
and enthusiastically shouted, that's big Lake."
"that's Lake Erie" "don't go there, you'll get
lost" &c, The people appeared very much ex-
cited and alarmed for the safety of the voyagers
ignorant of who they were, or of
the purpose of their mission.
Sat various points the farmers along their
course would catch glimpse of the balloon, and |
frequently the voyagers could hear the rural
swain call to his spouse to get up and see the
wonderful sight in the heavens. They describe
the effect of the sunrise, when they approached
Lake Erie as grand in the extreme. They could
not find words to express the sublimity OF the
grand panorama surrounding them.
sin passing over Lake Erie their route was al.
most direct to Buffalo from Toledo. Upon the
Lake, steamers and sail vessels were seen and
hailed AID responses were made. Crossing the !
lake their average speed was about seventy-fve
miles per hour. The balloon passed over Brock
port after leaving the Lake, and it was also OBJ
served at Medina, which was the last seen of 1t
until spoken by the propeller on Lake
Ontario in the storm.
"Just after leaving Medina, an incident occur
red well nigh fatal to Prof WISE He assembled
to the neck of the balloon to adjust some portion
Of the cordage, and inhaled so much of the by
drogen as to Supply him. He was hailed from
below, but giving no answer, his companion, Ga
ger, went up and found him quite insensible.-
With great effort he was aroused and safely low
cred into the car This was the only unpleasant
incident to the voyagers.
1.-THE highest point attained during the voy-
age was little over two miles. The balloon
ives charged with $4,000 feet of gas at the start
ing. The balloon was the one constructed at
Lansingburgh, and the voyage was an expert
ment preparatory to trip across the Atlantic
The @ronauts are well satisfied with their trip,
and are confident that aerial navigation for great
distances is entirely practical. The trip cost Mr..
eager alone some two thousand dollars"