Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1859-06-02
Balloon Descension at souarl.

O0IAOOA4 0OSSO4ASAOAA ~ 6Abkc44s
Quite an excitement was created among the
inhabitants of Squan Village and along the
beach, by a balloon passing over that section
on Saturday last, towards evening. Mr.. Wm.
V. Reed, residing at Wreck Pond inlet, in
forms us that he observed it while blowing,
and thinks it would have landed on his farm,
but for the prevalence of a strong breeze. 1t
was carried over the inlet and descended in
the Ocean, about a mile from the beach,
When Mr.. r. first saw the balloon, it looked
about as large as a corn-basket-and just as
it descended, appeared as large as a hsy-stack.
Our regular Squan correspondent has writ
ten US upon the subject, and gives the follow
ing additional particulars
"a balloon descended in the Atlantic Ocean,
a short distance north of Squan Village, on
Saturday evening last. A large number of
people assembled on the shore to witness the
sight. A steamer, which we supposed might
be a Philadelphia packet, started after the
balloon, which was drifting at a rapid rate,
and upon nearing it sent out her yawl, but did
not succeed in capturing it. The pilot boat
No. 4, headed for the balloon, and was watch
ed from the shore until dark, when the crowd
dispersed"
We have since learned that the pilot boat
succeeded in capturing it som Ave or six miles
out at sea, after an hours chase. 1t was ia
ken on board, found to be very large, made OF
oiled silk, and in tie basket and netting was
entangled broken limbs and twigs of trees.
On the valve was painted" Built and owned
by Joshua Pussey, Philadelphia, 1857
The New York Herald of Tuesday morning
gives some additional particulars, the substance
of wl.ieh is that, on Saturday afternoon about
half past fonr o'clock, Joshua PHsSty, made
his forty seventh balloon ascension, from
West Chester. a village on the Delaware river,
below Philadelphia, in the presence of a large
assemblage. The wind was quite high at the
time, and the balloon, with its daring adven-
tuer, was carried in a due vast direction at a
rapid rate. When at the mouth of the Schuyl-
kill, the water below appeared something like
a small stream such was the height of the
balloon. After having crossed the Delaware,
and when several miles beyond, the @ronaut
commenced to- descend, and dropped his an
Choir for that purpose. In this, however, he
was unsuccessful, the anchor dragging some
hundred yards through q lot of timber
wood. when the rope was fortunately seized
by two men, who held it as fast as they pos
sibly could Pussy, in order to save his life,
sprung from the car, sustaining sandry DANA
ges to his wearing apparel, besides. receiving a
number of bruises about his person. The dis
lance travelled was about thirty five miles.
The balloon on being delivered of its occu-
pant, took a rise, and parsued its way east
ward at a rapid rate. Two hours after this
it was discovered by the crew of the
pilot boat Washington off Squan Beach, drift
ting out to sea under the influence of the
wind, which was still blowing strong from the
westward.
The Wasbington's yawG was Immediately
dispatched in pursuit to render any assistance
10 the inmates of the car or to recover the
balloon. The boat was named by two lads,
who reached it after an hours hard pulling,
md were in the act of expelling the gas when
Philadelphia steamer Boston came up on
'hO oduC etlduu duu very nearly SWdEfpeu the
'awl, which was entangled in the netting, and
the loss of SOM papers which were in
car, they being washed out before they
.ould be secured, by the surf of the steamer.
Considerable difficulty was experienced on ac.
of the rapid rate at which the balloon
arried the beat along, and it was not till
ong past dark, and after a large i~nciSion had
made in the side, that the gas and wa;-
r was excluded, when it was finally got on
the boat Washington and brought to
his port,
The balloon is Of immense size, measuring
05 feet in height and above 100 in c~ircumfer-
nee. 1t is composed of oiled silk, and has
brownish appearance. The car is of com
ION wicker work, around which, by way of
rnament, is a quantity of red glazed lining,
here is also q small bag made of the mater
81 commonly known as " bed ticking pre-
AIMED to be for provisions.
When discovered the lower valve was open.
n the netting and car were several broken
and branches of trees. A large thick
oop of hickory wood ,s:to which the netting
fas attached, and which supported the ear,
'as broken short of, and must have been the
esult of tremendous force.