Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-06-06
Sailing in the Air.

Mr.. Solomon Andrews Yesterday made
short excursion with his flying machine, or
: Aereon, leaving the corner of Greene and
Houston streets, with three companions, at
four O'Clock, moving rapidly towards the
North, and landing safely near Astoria.
The greatest height reached was abou. two
the construction Of the machine; the car
being too short aud tie rudder too light.
1t was therefore found impossible to run
against the wind, but the inventor claims
tina. the difficulties can be remedled, and is
still confident of success
Mr. Andrews machine is different 10
several impor'ant particulars from the or
dinsry balloon. 1t is composed of two long
lemon shaped gas revovers, floating hor-
zontaliy and surrounded by a strong net
ting, which supports the below.
The car used in this experimental voyage
was eight feet long and two feet wide
The inventor claims that the alteration OF
weight from the rear to the front the of car,
or the reverse. will give the balloon the
inclination required to move it against the
wind. He tailed in the effort yesterday
was too short.
During the past two centuries numerous
hying machines have been invented, each
differing in some important respect from it's
predecessor. In 1878 locksmith named
Beanier. of Sable, France, devised a Curl
Gus arrangement of wing like paddles,
worked by the hands and feet, with which
ne was enabled to fly short distances
and to cross rivers; bat several persons
| 7ho initiated him lost Their lives. In 1909,
another Frenchman, B4rtholomew Laurent,
contrlved a 'bIrd-machine,' for which the
King OF Portugal granted him honors and
emoluments +; 1t was shaped like bird. and
vas TO have been propelled by the breeze or
by huge pair OF bellows, but 1t was never
brought to trial. The brothers Moogofer
French paper makers, began their expert.
ments wltn hot air balloons in 1882. Then
the parachute was invented. but Mr. Cock
lin. Of London, lost his life in an experiment
tai decent with one of these.
Mr. Blanc ard, an Eagishman, made
the first ballon voyage across the British
Cnannel from Elgland to France, 10 Janu
AIRY, 1884. The French A ;ademy then
undertook series OF experiments md In
1870 Mr.. Trestu Brissy constructed a bal
loon with paddle v heels attached to tn
car out abandoned it, and afterwards be-
came notorious as the first man who haC
gone up on horseback in bailon. A We
anna watch maker, JAcob Degen. actually J
accomplished feat of flying III 1908. His
machine consisted of wings, which be wa,
enabled to fold and unfold by the action o
his han!s and feet, MS seat being an uncom
| L. -.
mill was too much for mere flesh and blood
and the enterprlsiug Jacobs leg getting
cTamped. ne returned te earth aud watch
making
Tee most remarkable machioe built du
ring the present cenl uarg, was that OF Pc
;io, o. Paris. He united four large bal
ooDs, eac1 ninety feet In circumfrencs, By
frame four hundred and fifty feet Ion!
: aud one hundred and nincty-fVe feet broad
tour paracbutes being fixed ID the centre, t,
, give steadiness to the machine. Sails wer
rugged, and rudder Was provided, but tht
machine was never put into practical ope
ration
; In this country Mr.. Wise, Mr.. Lowe
and MIR. Lsmountain, and now D1r. An
drews, have successfully tried their hand
1t ballooning, with fair measure of sue
cess; but with the exception of Mr.. An
drews they have been contented with tn
old style OF a vertical receiver, with pendan
car. During the war Mr.. Lowe was em
; ployed 10 the Army of the Potomac Il
observe the enemy's lines. and performe,
good service. Mr. Andrews, however
claims TO have solved several imp1rtan
problems, and although there were no im
: portent result from his experi,u ,uent OF es
: terday, ne proposes to entertain saugula
hopes.--N Y. Eceniag Post.