Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-10-08

An @ronaut named Thompson, who ascend.
ing recently from Toronto, descended safely
near Cleveland, the balloon having been
taken by strong upper current across the
lakes. Much anxiety was felt in Toronto as
to Mr.. Thompsons fate before the telegram
arrived announcing his safe landing. Mr..
Thompson gives the following account Of
his adventure: 1.-THE balloon assembled al
4. 40, and from the velocity the balloon was
travelling at, ] soon perceived it was foolish
to try to descend. 1t soon became evident
that landing in Canada was out of the ques-
tion, and that all arrangements must be made
to be driven across the lakes. The first
thing that struck me was to drop the grapnel
to the full extent, 100 feet. This acted as a
guide TO the distance the balloon might be
kept above the surface of the water; it beng
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 couple of hand
| fuls of sand were thrown ont--and 10 this
plan alone owe my owH preservation and
success The ballast taken was about three
hundred and fifty pounds. For three hours
that plan was carried out, and then came on
the most drenching aud merciless rain
have ever felt. could not see fifteen feet
before NE, and the noise of the rain on the
balloon and the water was such as TO entire
ly unnerve me. My banda became numt
and / was drenched 10 the skin. I now
began to perceive ma position more acutely,
though determined not to give up until al
the ballast and moveabes were gone. Tie
rain was making the balloon heavier every
moment, and the ballast was thrown ou
freely ill about ten O'Clock, when the fatigue
overcame me. l lell into stupor for few
moments BY this time the balloon had de
scended 10 within six feet of the water, ant
instantly out went twenty-eight pounds o
ballast. The effect OF this was that the bal
loon rose TO an altitude of mile, entirel.
through the rain clouds, and then the mnoi
shone brilliantly, and in this position it re
mained about a quarter OF an hour. Th
effect OF the moon shining on the cloud be
neath was such as an artist might be Prou
Of The shadow OF tile balloon was dis
!
ana uneven clouds, giving the idea of ba
loon race. Everything now became calm
No longer the hum of the lake or the rair
All W still, but whether the storm sti
, ragged beneath was unknown. AS the ba
loon descended, it was evident change ha
come over the scene. The rain had cease
and the appearance of everything was of til
darkest hue; whether il was an under STR
tum OF dark clouds could not be know
. Suddenly glimmer OF light was seen for
r moment; then, with anxious eyes cast dow
! to perceive any object, at last small square,
d with darker margins, were clearly visibl
y These proved to be fields and hedges, an
they appeared to vanish as quickly as objec
passed when in an express train. A tow
:. was at last seen, and heard the sound
i musical instruments. then called out
y know where was, but the reply was uni
4 teligible. They, however, saw it was
balloon. About two miles further on, t
N grspnel caught in large oak tree, and he
a fast. This afterwards proved to be lit
ii village near Cleveland. then called 9
Justify; the sounds Of persons singing q
playing music were heard. These prov
!; ;s' to be four young men who had been t,
a q ball They were natives of Cleveland, a
as they advanced nearer my voice "
A heard. They at once set 10 work TO p
! q the balloon out Of the woods and convey
TO field where it could be folded up.
- was then three O'Clock in the morning"
t..