New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-10-31
MI. LOVE on BALLOONING.
A CARD.
Nrw-YoRS, Saturday, Oct. -. 1859.

N'"-i'tN, SdtuiudF, YET. INJ'.
In yielding TO the request of friends who have de-
sired me to make some explicit statement Of ny pur-
pc~c in undertaking transatlantic voyage deem
the occasion appropriate for expression in general
erms. of my views the ar; of bsllconin9 That the
sirship City Of New York viii accomplish the desired
| end, have reason to doubt nor can zee what
obstacles can be- thrown in the way Of the successful
progress of the undertaking, which the ample means
! placed at my command will not permit me to over
come. II II my intention to the Atlantic with
view 10 practical experiment and careful observation
and whether the attempt shall prove d success
failure il will at least have served the plrpose of
throwing new light upon the theory OF aerOnautcs.
The impression seems TO have become prevalent
that essential improvements in the art OF balloon
ing have been effected since the era OF the expert
nents instituted by the brothers MontgOier; that
the efforts OF modern aeronauts have resulted in de-
eded advance upon the discoveries OF the last cenury
and thai no practical effect follow the
full attempts to navigate aerial vessels.
This gcp,iCism fails to do Justice to the parties who
have given their time and attention the science Of
aeronsucs for while il is admitted that the progress
of the an has been slow and that the intricaces Of
delicate problem have not yet been fully mastered, Ii
would b. idle TO DENY that our knowledge OF the
rents Of the air has been greatly enlarged by practical
experiment, and by the investigation of distinguished
scientific men, or that an actual Improvement has
taken place in the construction and management of
balloons. That more rapid progress has been made
perhaps due 10 the fact that seyen-eighhs of the
hole number Of persons engaged in the pursuit Of the
art are not practical investigators, but merely exhibit
ors, whore highest ambition is satisfied By pecunary
reward, and whose essays in ballooning confined
70 limited ascensons. During the past fifty years at
least three thousand balloon ascensions have taken
place IN different parts of the United States and in
eudlns aeronaus and passengers, eight thousand
persons have made aerial voyages Of greater or less
\ Duration. OF this whole number il is not an unfair
esimate TO say that hardly one-eghth have psraken
At all OF scientific character and yet, in the face of
his flcte la Lpau sbotxu sb., a.
dangers Of aeronaute voyages are not equivalent 10
those Of other modes Of travel for, while the oxDer
ments in ballooning have most commonly been con-
Quoted by inexperienced persons but single lie has
been lost and that catastrophe occsOned by sheer
carelessne-s refer TO the of Mr. Thur.tOn.
DO not claim the credit Of originating theories o.
tho existence OF ar-currentS. Twenty years sinces
4 W.. Charles Green, veteran aerOnaut declared af
Ao result Of various experiments which he had under
aken, that continual current setting from west TO
east always existed in the atmosphere; similar obser
vsons were subsequently made by French aeronauts;
| and, In this country, Prof. Wise discovered the
existence of the in the course of his early bal
OOning experiments. My own experience, whenever
have attained any considerable altitude, has verified
IBIS theory. Later investigations, however, have
proved that this easterly current does not always
exist 81 the same altitude. Ii may generally be found
by ascending 10 the hight Of two and u half miles, but
Ii not unfrcquently encountered at AN altitude of only
lone mile is by seeking this great air-currcn that
The transatlantic voyage must be accomplished.
! No aeronaut will claim that balloons can be made
useful for local travel so long obliged 10 de-
lpeEd upon the process OF dsplacing air for lifting the
Inrden; for the obviOus that mechanical pro-
I,elling power attached to body 10 large balloon,
would give any Roadway, even in moderate breeze.
but for long voyages and tor crossing the Atlantic,
nothing, think can be better than the common bal
lloon provided with attachments, like those have al
READY invented something better for the pur
lpose. l do not pretend that have brought aerial
navigation 10 perfecton nor do believe that any one
person will perfect it, No single individual developed
the scientific application of steam power brought
che magnetic telegraph to it, present state of complete
ncss, and the remark applies 10 the art of bal
looming, IL ia time, however, that some one should
rake bold push permitting the world TO give its
dict II will, and endeayor to effect practical
demonstration which shall revive the spirit of inquiry
and investigation. If nothing is done but 10 talk and
theorize to make occasional excursion the aero
nautic art will ever remain where IT Is.
Some people may think that am insane, rash, or
ecker amer fame but this not the case. have for
two years COoly considered the subject and have pro-
yided for every contingency. / intended TO make my
first trip across the entirely private undertake
ING: but tndirg that the amount OF expense to be M
Cured would overtaS my personal means nave been
compelled TO announce public exhibition while pre-
pairing for the voyage am confident of success for
I various reasons:
FIRST have IL large balloon, which has capacity
of 75 o. cubic feet therefore, should the envelope he
no more perfect than those which usually construct
! ed it viii retain III power for longer period.
Second: | have devised mechanical appliances Tor
raisng and lowering the balloon while in the air. With
out expenditure Of the lifting power
l THUd: have invented an apparatus for indicating
the different currents below that advantage can he
taken OF these currents should find myself gong TOO
far north or south. Should any accident occur, or
.hould the balloon machinery fail to accomplish its
work tire metallic life-boat which will be suspended
below the car is rugged with sails, and VIII prove sur
fciently strong to endure any sea.
Ii is true would have preferred another season Oh
the wear for undertaking this first great experiment oil
transaantic aerial navigation but should this irst at
tempt AT an exploring expedition as | term 1t, not
proye entirely successful shall not be discouraged,
nor deferred from netituting experiments with view
I 10 ascertaninC the cause of failure and the remedy
therefor shall be supplied with all the philosophical
apparatus necessary to take meteorological observa,
tons III aerial navigation ia ever perfected IL VIII
be- accomplished by perseverance, even IN the midst OF
oppos,tion and detraction j am willing 10 take the
ri.k and if can do anything 10 add, IN however
small measure TO the store of our scientific knOwl-
edge l shall feel amply repaid.
have no doubt but cherish iervent hope, that the
time il not far distant when can travel ia the ar
without the aid of balloons for buoyant force
have already devised plan for an aerial carriage,
which can be navgated high rate OF speed as soon
a. propellinQ power can be discovered the weight oil
which shall be but one third of that we now employ
II ony requires some shrewd and intelligent inventor
40 do this and aerial navigation will become practi-
lea science l. ~ u i'o"f'
| If the weather proves favorable, the work OF IN
kating the balloon viii begin to-day. Al AL events,
he public will be admitted 10 inspec, the machine