Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-07-16
AFsarfnl Balloon voyage.

Among tne lectures VI tue rO"i III VI
July at Providence, Rhode Island, was a
balloon ascension, e. which is thus de-
scribed.by the Providence Jourlats
4 Towards !. o. clock the throng began to
concentrate in Exchange Place, where
preparations were going forward for the
ascension of Messrs. Allen Brothers
balloon. which is of 10000 cubic feet
capacity, is seveniy-live feet IN hight,
and thirty.eight feet in diameter, and
contains 79O square yards of surface
canvas Itwasspeedily filled from the
street mains, aud with its symmetrical
outline and many flags, was beautiful
objeet.to contemplate. The excitement
attending the. ascension, So far as the
spectators were concerned, was CON-
spressed into a, very brief moment, but
that moment was d thrilling one. A
slight fog had blown mp from the river,
the sky was partially, overcast, and the
wind bad increased seemingly to almost
gale, which, from the size and buoy
ancy of the balloon, exerted tremen-
dous power upon il. twas held in po-
sition for few minutes by the weight of
u hundred men While the fasttenings were
lied. the wreaths arranged, the standards
crossed, and all made ready to start.
Five persons took seats in the car.
They were James Allen, o. W. Prince,
Thomas Landy, Samuel f. Allen, and
Iames Allen. .Jrs The lasttwo were lads.
Landy formed the decision to go only
Two or three. minutes before the start,
Once after launching away, the balloon,
being oyer-ballasted, came back to the
pavement in the centre of throng OF
vehicles,
aOn the second attempt it attained a
higher altitude, and amid the Wild cheers
and stirring music shot away before the
gale up the valley, apparently on the
line of the Boston Railroad, with terrific
velocity. A rocket could hardly have
been more swift. An held their breath as
the car past the west towerof the depot
building, against which it seemed that it
must strike. ProyidentialIy it missed
by few feet 1t sped onwards, and
without seeming to attain a very lofty
elevation, was lost to sight in an incon-
ceiyably brief lime. The perfls ,ot the
ascent were enhanced by the presence OF
SO great crowd as to impede the opera
lions OF the workmen, and the fact of-its
being made from. an inclosed area with
high buildings on either hand The sky
was overcast at the time, which would
have detracted from the pleasure of the
excursion under any circumstances.
The voyage terminated quite disas-
trously, asall who Witnessed ITS begin
ming must have apprehended. MIR. Nor
rill. of Morrill, & Co, printing ink man
ufactnrers, in South Dedham, Mass, near
whose works the final catastrophe oc-
Cured, has given us the following par
ticuIars: The teamsters near the factory
(which is about four miles west OF Old
Dedham, and opposite Canton), first saw
the balloon which arrived there about a
quarter past six) drop down back Of the
woods half mile of 1t rose again,
however, and came over near the works,
when the Pronauts we're heard calling
out for some one TO catch hold of their
anchor rope. They were drifting over a
level plain where there was nothing to
secure il to. LII
Mr.. Turner and Mr.. Morrill,, of the
company, and one of their teansters,
seized the rope, but it might as well have
been tied TO a locomotive with all steam
on, so far as their ability to hold it back
was concerned All three were badly
strained or bruised in their exertions,
and Mr.. Turner is unable TO leave his
bed today in consequence. They held
fast to the rope, and were dragged to the
edge of a pond Of about six acres. IL a
tree had been near they could have
checked the flight of the monster TO
which they had harnessed, but to save
themselves were obliged to let go when
they reached the water. The basket
ploughed through the pond, immersed to
the depth of three feet, and going at the
rate of perhaps fifteen miles an hour
After leaving the pond the basket
strnek ast6ne wall. by which the men re
ceived their injuries. Mr. James Allen
was most hurt, but not seriously. One
of Mr.. Princes feet was hurt, and the
other ankle badly wrenched and bruised.
Landy was cut on the head, but not Sc
riously, and when found was considerably
dis6gured with blood Neither Of the
lads were injured.
The balloon was hurried on some forty
rods further, going through two fences,
and finally lodging in a large elm tree,
where it was torn from top TO bottom.