The New York herald., 1869-05-30
sup In A BALLOON"

Mons. Cnevalier, the Atlantic BaIIoonist-His
Exhibition ut Laudmann's Park a Fine As.
cent.
Mons. Alexander Chevaier, o Paris Rronaut, who
has come to this country TO undertake balloon
voyage across the Atlantic, made his first preui-
nary ascent yesterday afternoon at Landmarks
Hamilton Park m. Chevaher's arrangements for
his perllous venture have been suggested by the ex
perience acquired in his 1876 9ronauuic voyages,
several OF which have become historic. such rs
that made in "Le Geanr" from Paris in 1854. when
his party OF seven persons including the Princess de
la Tour d'Auvergne and the brothers GODDARD ira
versed the Continent at the rate OF 800 miles in If
teen hours; that in 1867, when he crossed the
English Channel from Dublin and that In 1885, when
he assembled nom Hull England. to the unequal ed
altitude OF 900 feet. His means for maintaining
the buoyancy Of the balloon during his Atlantic
trip consist OF second, or reservoir balloon, sus.
pended under the main balloon for receiving the
gas overnowing from expansion at lofty heights,
and an ingenious device BY which q rope running
over windlass is let down upon the surface OF tile
water relieving the balloon OF its weight, with the
same edect as the throwing out OF ballast without
stun on 80 long voyage Neither Of these peculiar
arrangements were attached to the balloon for
THE ASCENT YESTERDAY,
as this was but preliminary flight for the amuse.
ment Of the public. Some two thousand people o0v-
whom went away after his beautiful ascent with a
strong impression OF the Frenchmans pluck and
'science" The imitation was begun at about noon
high wind was blowing, and, a9 q consequence, as
soon as Lspefance for that is the name Of the bal
loom began 10 "feel her Oats' the huge slken bag
and arped or the assistants every direction She
was finally held down by the united exertions OF
some forty Of the bysanders and secured with load
OF sand bags weighing about three TONS
The first view OF the Transatlantic air vessel was
obtained from aiar. AS she stood up at her anchor.
age within the inclosure she was visible for long
distance down the Third avenue, ana even from the
Central PARK. and seemed almost equal in size to the
large white house which stands near by. Inside the
fence, And within the roped circle which surrounded
the balloon. ali was hustle and comm0tion, long
nns hss m S WIN the gSs
net.work OF the balloon ropes, and force Of men
held on sturdily 10 the wicker basket which strus
yellow wicker scarcely the size OF the ''buck
basket" I'm which Falstar y wont to be carried or
very small and comfortsss quarters for an Atlantic
voyage. Near by lay the life ran, which Is to be
should md 1t necessary TO make voyage by water.
rockets aud water Gun. Neither the reservoir bal.
ant part Ia the Atlantic voyage, were visible yes-
terday. AZ may be supposed, the French element Of
Saes yssterdsy many wno had wtnesseS ceva
liers previous exhibitions IN the gardens OF the L1x
emD9urs Palace ,a IN Paris being present. large
also attended to wish the Professor bon rovoge.
Among those who seemed to take the warmes inter-
Doremus, who was frequently consulted by Cheva.
lier In the 6na preparations. fhe hour for the
ascent was liked Tor z. NJ, but balloon ascents are
always tardy, and this one was no exception 10 the
rule. Considerable time was consumed In securing
the yalye.rope which had been drawn within the |
mouth OF the balloon during the commotion attend. |
ing the innation. IL was dnay secured, however, |
the hve-pronged grapnel was made fast to the car,
the lantern and the corkacket were also tied to the
rigging, half dozen Of the sand bags were thrown
out upon the ground, the balloonist dons his fur |
skull-cap ana calls for drink OF water, which Is
brought TO him, and all is ready. Freed from the |
hands OF the Gordon Of strong men who nave been |
holding her "L'Esperance,r guided by stout rope,
Goats lightly from the ground. Ere she has risen |
dozen yards the baoonist has clambered with remar
kable GOODNESS into the rigging and cast on this last
ropo; and now, for the first time, giving
way to the excitement of the hour, Chevaer waves
his cap aud shouts "Good byln good byr' A long
and enthusiastic cheer as from one throat, greets
him In response, which Is again and again repeated
lhe band plays up In Balloon,n while the crowd
linger TO watch the ascent.
. The balloon rose gradually and at first noatcd TO |
the westward and n0rthward over the Central Park, |
soon another current took It to the eastward and |
brought II, rising higher and higher, almost over tho
spot from which II started, thus causing II to de.
scribe, as II were magnificent spiral until II finally
passed into the clouds IN plain signt OF the throng
mat had but moment before pressed close about IT,
. When last seen M, Chevalier was moving slowly to
The east at the height OF about 1000 feet IL his
Intention to remain IN the air about fOrtycight |
hours
Professor Chevalier descended la safety at five |
minutes past SIX O'Clock last evening. In field,
,oont ,,,.'. io"r miles beyond Flushing, L. During ns
800 feet aud he would have continued hs journey |
arhor had not the strong upper air current been
'spidiy carrying him seaward.
George J. Howard. alias Greer, aud Edward Den |
lis the parties arrested last Saturday for the rob-
berry OF Harndans Express senver In Baltimore. 1