The national era. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1847-1860, 1859-07-14
THE GREAT BALLOON EXPEDITION.
Professor Wise's Account of the Voyage.

The following thrilling account of the voyage
was furnished by Mr.. Wise, who devoted him
self to its preparation as soon as he had re-
freshed himself. Although greatly fatigued by
the exertions and perils he had undergone, he
very cheerfuly complied with oar request to
prepare the statement. He informed us that Mr.
La Mountain was left with the balloon, and that
Mr.. Hyde had returned to ST. Louis Mr.. W.
left for New York last evening in the steamer
knickerbocker, and intended to proceed direct
to Lancaster, Pa, where he resides
Nayratice Of a Trans Continental dir Toydge
from 81. Louis to Nec York, July /, 1859.
Although it was intended to have started on
this voyage on the 23d Of June, we were delay
ed IN our preparations until the LIST of July
By six o'clock F. NJ, the air ship Atlantic"
was duly inflated, and while we were putting her
in trim with ballast and provisions, Mr. Brooks,
T Il v1;iief the st. Louis Museum, who had kind
in his bafiosoaH to 3 gor fra k . cr me
casion, and, upon signal agreed ascended from
the ground. At 7.20 2. NJ. the " Atlantic "
was ready to sail. Messrs La Mountain and
eager, thinking some difficulty might arise at
the start, if they should attach the fore-wheels
to the shafts and wheel gearing, determined TO
omit that until we should be fairly under way
next morning.
Having had much experience in hard winds
and the perils of landing balloon under them,
We had constructed at St. Louis a good wicker
work car, (which, with a good and strong con
centric hoop, are life preservers in these perils,)
which was suspended between the boat and bal
loon, and about eight feet above the the former,
and within six feet of the hoop, so that the neck
of the balloon hung in the basket car whenever
the balloon was fully distended. The boat con
tanned 600 pounds of ballast, one bucket OF
water, one bucket of lemonade, with an album
dance Of bread and wine, poultry and sand
wiches, besides delicacies too numerous to
enumerate, furnished by kind friends.
Mr. La Mountain took command of the boat
and ballast, and took his place on one end
Mr.. eager took the other end, and took charge
of the charts and compass Mr.. Hyde local
editor Of the st. Louis RepubiicdH, took his
seat in the middle, with notebook and pencil,
as historian. Although Mr.. HYDE was not IN
the original programme, we unanimously
agreed to let him accompany US, provided 1t
would not interfere with our ultimate design
and it was arranged that, under any circum-
stances, when the ballast should fail the boat
with its occupants should be disposed of and
myself or Mr.. La Mountain should proceed
with the voyage alone.
lie basket contained 0DU POUNDS OF DdilaSt,
a barometer wet and dry bulb thermometer,
besides a quantity of wine and provisions and
took my place in the basket, and took charge
Of the valve rope, and as director of the gener-
al plan of the voyage, by the unanimous
consent of the party engaged in this long-de-
vsed enterprise. / must say here, that Mr.. La
Mountain took in charge a part of the pro-
gramme that none but a cool head and a most
accomplished aronant could be trusted with
and especially the night sailing. At 7.20 p
NJ we set sail from the Washington Square of
St. Louis, and our course at starting was north
of east. When we got up and over the Missis-
sippi, and well under way, We saw Mr. Brooks
land in "A clear place, about sunset
AT $50 p. NJ, the shades of the even -, =,
sunk from view the noble city of N that shoul
light until after 9. Mr.. La M0,iHiANEl"
suffered from sickness on Thur.bIcan Association
too unyell to work hard unde, as'o"
at the imitation, LETT much harLIaENCE
that work. | submitted the VIII, rr ouoIu
charge for the night, with the undo U
have me walked whenever he wanted zen =. se "a
worked and he took it with alacrity. and IN 9th
Before | went to sleep, we had mountG sion y
height at which the balloon became complete ate
distended, and where we found the current due
east. Here it became chilly, and Mr.. La
Mountain, as well as all Of us, suffered from
this change of air and with all the clothing
we could put on us, it was still uncomfortable,
though the thermometer stood at ~, and the
barometer at %, aud this was the lowest of
both the instruments During the whole voyage,
except the crossing ofLake Ontario.
Mr. La Mountain proposed to take the lower
current as long as it would take us but a few
points north Of east and told him to do as he
deemed best, and report his reckoning in the
morning. After bidding the party in the boat
good night and God speed, coiled myself up in
blankets, and laid down as best could, and in
a few minutes was sound asleep, and knew Of
nothing but repose until ll.30 P. NJ
At this time, Mr. La Mountain again mount
ed for the upper current being DESTROYS of ma
king little more casting, he hailed me to open
the valve, as the balloon had become so tense,
and the gas was rushing from the neck with a
noise; but hearing no answer from me, he sus-
pected that was being smothered in the gas,
and he admonished Mr.. eager to mount to my
car by rope provided for that purpose, and
Mr. eager found me breathing spasmodically;
but a good shaking and the removal of the
neck of the balloon from my face, with plenty
of pure, cold air around me, soon brought me