Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-10-15
PERILOUs NIGHT RIDE IN A BAL.
From the Cleveland PIaindeaIer.


From the Cleveland Plaindealer.
An exchange informs us that an ero-
naut named Thompson who ascended
recently from Toronto, descended safely
near this city, the balloon having been
taken BY q strong upper current across the
lake. Much anxiety was felt in Toronto
a. to Thompsohs fate before the telegram
arrived announcing his safe landing. Mr..
Thompson gives the following account Of
his adventure: "The balloon assembled at
4:40, and, from the velocity the balloon
was travelling at, soon perceived that it
was foolish to try to descend. IL soon be-
came evident to me that landing in Canada
was out Of the question, and all arrange
ments must be made TO be driven across
the lakes. The first thing that struck me
was to drop the grapnel 10 the full extent
-120 feet. This acted as a guide 10 the dis
lance the balloon might be kept above the
surface Of the water, it being now
dark, and by placing one hand on
the rope the effect Of the grapnel
striking the water was distinctly
felt. With an open bag Of ballast on my
knee, every time the grapnel struck the
water a couple Of handfuls Of sand were
thrown out-and to this plan alone i owe
my own preservation and snccess. The
ballast taken was about $50 pounds.
For three hours that plan was carried
out. and then came one of the most drench-
ing and merciless rains ] have ever felt. |
could not see fifteen feet before me, and the
noise of the rain on the balloon was such
az to unnerve me. Ny hands became numb
and / was drenohed 10 the skin. / now
began TO perceive my position more acutely,
though / determined not TO give up until
all the ballast and moveables were gone.
The rain was making the ballon heavier
every moment, and tue ballast was thrown
out more freely till about ten o'clock, when
the fatigue Overcame me. / fell into
stupor for a few moments. BY this time
the balloon had descended to within six
feet Of the water, and instantly out went
twenty-eight pounds of ballast. The effect
of this was that the balloon rose to the al
titude Of mile, entirely through the rain
clouds, and then the moon shone brilliantly,
and in this position IL remained about a
quarter Of an hour. The effect of the moon
shining on the cloud beneath was such as
any artist might be proud of. The shadow
Of the balloon was distinctly to be seen,
travelling over the rough and uneven clouds,
giving the idea of balloon race Every
thing now became calm. No longer the
hum Of the lake or rain. All was still, but
whether the storm still ragged beneath was
unknown. ......+H
As the balloon descended, it was evident
a change had come over the scene. The
rain had ceased and the appearance Of
everything was of the darkest hue whether
it was an under-stratum Of dark clouds
could not be known. Suddenly glimmer
Of light was seen for a moment then,
with anxious eyes cast down to perceive
any object, at last small squares, with dark
margins, were clearly visible. These
proved TO be the fields and hedges, and
they appeared TO vanish as quick as objects
passed when in an express train. A town
was at last seen, and heard the sound of
musical instruments. | then called out to
know where | was, but the reply was unin-
telligible. They, however, saw it was a
balloon.
About two miles further on, the grapnel
caught in large oak tree, and held fast
This aiterward prove to be little village
near Cleveland. | then called out Justly
the sounds of persons singing and playing
music were heard. These proved TO be
four young men who had been TO ball.
They were natives of Cleveland, and as
they advanced nearer my voice was heard.
They at once set to work to pull the bal
loon ont of the woods, and convey il to
field where it could be folded up. Ii was
then 3 O'Clock in the morning.