Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1862-12-11
From the Scientific American.
WONDERFUL BALLOON ASCENT
FOR SCIENTIFIC PURPOSES.
eREArEsr HEIeHr EVER ATTAINED Bl
MAN.


MAN.
a few weeks since-page 170-we
gave an account of the second balloon
ascent made at Wolverhampton. Eng
land, by Mr.. Glaisher, of the Green
Nich Observatory and Mr.. Coxwell, a
distinguished asroDaut. for the purpose
of making observations for scientific
purposes, as committee Of the Associ-
Z Sasion for the Advancement OF Science.
Since that period they have made anoth-
er aerial voyage, making six altogether,
three from the Crystal Palace and the
same number from Wolverbampton.-
This last voyage was the most inter-
esting of all, and in some respects the
most wonderful ever made, as the dar-
ing neroneauts attained higher elevs-
tion than ever had been reached before
by human beings. This last ascent
took place on the 5th Of September.
Mr.. Coxwell was the manager of the
aerial machine, and the attention Of Mr..
Glaisher was DEVOTED to the reading
and the registering Of his instruments.
These consisted of hygrometers, barom-
eters and thermometers: a 3.foot bs-
rometer which had been specially con-
structed for the voyage. stereoscopie
camera. and set of extremely sensa-
tive dry plates for the purpose Of TAX
ing a photograph of the appearance of
the clouds; and with a view to watch
the effect Of the upper air on winged
life. Mr.. Glaisher likewise provided him
self with half-a-dozen pigeons. the ex
periments upon which proved of a most
interesting character.
The balloon was capable of contain
ing 10000 cubic feet of coal gas, But
only 10000 feet were used. 1t was
obtained at the Wolverhampton Gas
Works, and the Superintendent made it
expressly for the purpose of less specific
gravity than was ever before used
This was O. $40, the ordinary burning
gas being O.470. The balloon was set
at liberty at P. NJ. and it rose slowly
and majestically, taking a course almost
southwest. During the ten minutes or
quarter of an hour that it remained in
sight the balloon was seen by hundreds
of people; but suddenly, at an altitude
of about mile, it became lost in belt
of dark, frey clouds that enshrouded
the earth from the 6ercer rays Of the
sun. These clouds, Mr. Glaisher states
were 1000 feet thick, and seemed to
be saturated with water. As the bal
loon rose. this dampness gradually d.
minished, and greater difference be-
came apparent between the dry and wet
bulb, and, on reaching their highest al
titude, the aeronauts observed no dew
whatever. Immediately on passing
through the clouds, the scene which
presented itself was grand beyond des.
cription. The beginning of their jour-
ney had been performed in an atmos-
phere that was darkened and humid ;
but now they suddenly shot up into an
expanse Of cloudless, ethereal blue Be-
low them was the earth resembling a
planet. 1t was like looking on a count
Ty whose frozen surface extended as far
as the eye could reach; deep crevice
and dark ravine contrasted boldly with
the ighter and more feecy clouds that
lowered aloft and caught the streaming
sunshine. Some were white as snow;
others black. dark, grey, and of shapes
fantastic. One would rear its lofty
head on a baseless stem and throw its
neighbors into shade as black as night;
another, like bald bluff cragg, would
sail with majesty becoming its i'm
mensity, through minor clouds sur
rounding it; and third, more light
and delicate, would change its place
and hue, as often as the vogayers could
observe it. Added to this was a strong
sunlight, which for few moments be-
came so intense that Mr.. Glaisher bad
to shade his instruments. When ia.
vorable opportunity presented itself the
camera was brought into requisition,
but the balloon was ascending with such
Velocity-owing to the expansion Of the
gas. and the lighter character of the at
mosphere-tbat Mr.. Glaisher failed TO
obtain a single picture. At three miles
high, the machine was rising at fear.
full pace; the &C, 200 feet Of gas had ex
panded to 10000. and was oozing oul
OF the safety-valve at the bottom Of the
balloon. Mr.. Coxwell, however, fear.
ing that they might be approaching the
sea, and having nothing but supposition
to judge by, determined to make the
best of his time, and though the veloc.
ity was such as to give rotary motion
to the balloon, he threw out more bal.
last, and higher aud higher rose the
voysgers, attaining an altitude where
the cold became intense, and where Mr.
Coxwell, who, from having undergone
great exertions, found the power o
breathing extremely difficult and op
pressive. By Mr.. Glaisher, however
no such unpleasant sensation was expe
rienced-not ever the intense cold; b.
remained in state of perfect quiet
At one time the balloon was ascending
with such rspidity that it created rusl
in the wind, which the voyagers at frs
believed to arise from current of ali
into which they were just entering
But this was not the case, for the cur
rent prevailed throughout the whole o
the journey. and apparently at uni
form speed.
Wnen the aeronauts were at high
of three miles. thew threw ont the frs