Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-06-07
la New York Tribune. Nav %.

The long antici pated attempt at aerial nav
igation, which it was promised the people
of New York should witness, has at last ia
ken place. About four O'Clock yesterday
afternoon, DR.. Solomon Andrews, the in
ventor and constructor of the "Flying
Ship" of which full account was given in
the Tribune few weeks since, accompanied
by party of friends, started with his ap-
paratus to make the trial which he has con-
sented shall be considered the crucial test
Of the correctness or fallacy of his theories
of navigation. The ascent was made from
the Enclosed yard at the corner Of Greene
and Houston streets, where the apparatus
has been for several weeks on exhibition.
The party Of adventurers comprised DR..
Andrews and Messrs. George w. Trow, G.
NJ. Plumb, and G.. Waldo Hill. So quietly
had all these arrangements taken place that
very few persons beside the travellers them
selves were aware that the trial was to oc-
cur that day. DR.. Andrews commenced fill
ing the balloon Of his vessel about o'clock
in the morning, and about 3 o'clock p. m.
it was pronounced to be ready. The other
preparations occupied but short time,
and about o'clock, as we have said, the
signal was given to "cut loose" and the
ship and its living freight rose rapidly into
the air. The yard which had contained the
apparatus being scarcely large enough to
receive it, and Enclosed with high fence,
and further surrounded with lofty hous es
and chimneys, it had been feared that some
difficulty would be encountered in getting
it out, but in this respect the voyagers
were happily disappointed, the balloon ri
sing almost directly up until it was above all
SurPnnnutnn obstacles whom IL ha0ou 70
drift rapidly away. Almost at the start, by
some mischance, the rudder-ropes became
entangled in some portion of the rigging,
which prevented her steering. The wind
was at the time blowing a light but steady
breeze from the southwest, and the balloon
drifted with it for some considerable dis
lance. At last, however, the voyagers
seemed to get their machine under control,
for they turned her repeatedly in different
directions, and at last headed her to the
northward and eastward, crossed the East
river, and passed rapidly out Of sight. The
rate of speed of the machine, when last
seen, seemed to be about 20 or % miles an
hour.
Since the above was written, we have
seen Mr.. Troy, one of the. gentlemen who
accompanied DR.. Andrews in his trip, and
nave 3caruGu iFOul u1Ii ltlt p1rtlGuldES VI Cnc
voyage. At first starting, as we appre
hended, the rope by which the rudder is
managed, became entangled, and the vessel
orifted some distance before she could be
controlled. When the ropes became clear,
it was found that she could be readily man
aged and turned many direction, but owing
to inability to give tho machine at much in
clination as we needed, they were unable
to make Roadway against the wind which
had by this time become quite fresh. The
utmost they could do was to hold themselves
from going with the wind, but not to travel
against it. Under these circumstances, it
was not judged advisable to go very far
away, AID after cruising about for a while,
the voyagers finally landed near the village
Of Astoria, /. l. The people of Astoria
rendered them every assistance to secure
and pack the balloon, and they all reached
New York late in the evening, highly pleased
with their trip, Or. Andrews and his com
papions are al satisfied that by making
some trlling alterations in the rigging Of
the apparatus, they will be able TO make
Roadway against any ordinary breeze, and
they are ali sangune az to the final success
Of their plan. AS soon as the requisite
alterations are completed, another trial will
be made, Of which public notice will be
given.