The daily press. (Cincinnati [Ohio) 1859-1859, 1859-05-24
THE PR Il s S.
.......,.........~.......pIAY "a.
Balloon Ascension at Erie--Perilous
situation of the Brial VOyagers-They
al1gh ht In Lake Erie. li t.F

By a special dispatch from Erie we learn
that day before yesterday Prof Lynn, the
mronaut, who resides in Erie, and Is one Of
tho editors of the Dispatch, made an ascension
from that city, accompanied by d. A.. Baldwin,
Esq, who is extensively engaged in the drug
business in Erie. The afternoon was fine, and
the ascension was witnessed by delighted
multitude, comprising most of the citizens of
the town, besides numbers of people from the
country, who were attracted there by the an
nouncement of the ascension.
The wind seemed favorable for a safe and
agreeable voyage on the broad highway which
leads TO the stars, but when they had reached
the altitude of about one mile they struck
current of air which bore them directly over
Lake Erie, to the great alarm of their numer-
GUS friends, who were anxiously watching
their progress through spy glasses and tele-
scopes, from housetOps and other elevated po-
sitions. After y time the balloon was seen to
descend rapidly, and in few moments, to
the horror of those who were breathlessly OBJ
serving 1t from the city, it plunged swiftly
into the waters of tho lake, full five miles
from tho shOrcl The excitement became in
tense as intelligence of tho occurrence ran
like wildiire through the town, and the i'm
mediate friends of the parties were filed
with the direct alarm for their safety. Even
if they had not been instantly drowned, their
position was one of the EXTREMIST peril--fve
miles from shore, and only supported by a frail
willow basket which constituted their car.
Numbers rushed,at once to the docks and q tug
being in readiness proceeded to their rescue.
Our correspondent represents the excitement
which prevailed during this time to be of the
most intense description. Fortunately for the
pronauts the N. Y. & e. Propeller Jefferson,
which plies between Cleveland and Dunkirk,
came along at the time, and observing the de-
scent of tho balloon, rescued them from their
perlous position. Thoy were standing in tho
basket up to their middle in the water, hang
ing on to tho netting over their heads. The
tug arriving soon after brought them safely to
Erie, where they werc received with every
demonstration of joy. The sudden descent,
which came so near resulting fatally, was
caused by defect in the arrangement of the
valve. The Professor, whose ardOr for aerial
voyages was not all dampened by his cold bath
in Lake Erie, announces his intention of trying
il again soon. ... ..... ..t- .t.. m. .I
Clerk Kyle, of the propeller Jefferson, Capt.
from the log book of that vessel, under date Of
Wednesday, 18th inst: ,0r. o.. ..H' hn
GAS we wero passing Erie yesterday, P.
NJ, saw n large balloon about three miles high,
over Erie, travelling in North -easterly di-
rcction towards the lake. We're looking at il
through the glass when We saw it rapidly de-
scend and strike the water. Saw two persons
in the car, one of whom was waving white
signal for relief. Capt Bond ordered the
course of the propeller 10 be changed toward
them. Lowered small boat and went to them
Found one of them to be the editor of the Eric
| Dispatch. Made the small boat fast to the bal
loon and held them a short time, when a tug
came out of Erie and took them aboard"