The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1869-02-18
A DARING ERONAUT.
and his Proposed Air VOy.
age over the Atlantic.
From the Nav York Tribune

CAAoiAA INC new IOrk Ir1DQno
The fascinating problem of the navaga-
ton OF the atmosphere is about to be
brought again before the attention of the
public by an attempt to cross the Allan
tic from New York in balloon, which
enterprise Is to be undertaken by Mons
A. Chevalier. an aronaut of extended
European reputation NJ. Chevalier ar
rived In this country about a fortnight
ago, and has already succeeded in gaining
the confidence and support of our first
scientific men. He is by birth Swiss,
about thirty years of age, of modest yet
sell possessed demeanor, short in stature,
with black hair, eyes, and moustache, and
Paea'ing ana open expression of counte-
nance. For a dozen years past, Chevaher
mas been an enthusiast in arostatics. He
spent. his inherited fortune on fying
machines, and has ever since experienced,
on account OF his penchant, succession
oi ups ana downs IN life extraordinary
even for an 8ronaut. NJ Chavaliers
tatest invention Is steam flying machine,
which may be briefly described as being
constructed after the model of the bird
iong, Wlng-llke sails project from either
SIDE OF the ircn body of the ship, and
!an-!lke arrangement" at the stern stands
ID the place OF the tail of the bird, and
serves It's purpose in raising or depressing
tne macnlne IN It's course through the
air. Looking at the first picture repre-
sentlng 1T soaring in mid-air over plains
ano mountains, as 1t appears in French
periodical, the onl y really astonishing
thing. about the air monster is that it
would not soar when Chevalier tried il
but broke down and left it's sanonine in,
ventor dead broke" too. This and
similar accidents have not in the least
succeeded in disheartening him in his
ife-search for the solution of the great
problem; they only throw a stronger
light on the obstacles in the wav. After
such mishaps, Chevalier bounds aloft
elastically in his balloon for the delight of
millions on some fete day in Paris. or
Marsellles, or Lyons, or London. or Duh
hn,, and thus repairs the losses of his
exchequer for fresh oyerhauling of his
flying steamship.
In this way he has made hundreds of
assertions, in every country in Europe,
ana In Australia. Once he sailed in his
pal0on from Paris beyond the boundries
OF russia. On another occasion he cross
go the st, Georges Channel from Dub
lin INTO England. In one of his trips he
made the extraordinary flight of 700 miles
IN tour hours. In another ascent made
tor the Marquis of Butte, just before com
ing to this country, he was driven forty
I'VE miles II an hour. One can readily |
Deheve, In looking at the Chevalier |
clear, pleasant eyes, and firm, quiet mouth,
Inat ne Is stranger to physical fear.
But about his transatlantic trip from
New lork-he undertakes it partly for
the great effect 1t will have, if successful
under bis business on the other side
OF the water, and not less to determine
the existence OF continuous s'belt'' of
westerly currents which the philosophers
say must exist at the height of 5000 to
~ feet above the surface of the earth.
VI. Chevaller has brought with him, in
complete readiness, his balloon in which
he proposes to make his long and perilous
journey. 1t is of a peculiar shape, and
OF these dimensions: % feet in height,
$50 feet in diameter capacity for gas,
125, 900 cubic feet. The car, being made
of bamboo, and in the shape of house,
resembles long bamboo hut, and viii
probably accommodate as many passen-
gers as will desire to go upon the voyage.
M. Chevalier is DESTROYS of making the |
start at as early date as possible, and,
at all events, before the return of warm
weather. His reason for this is that the |
balloon would suffer dangerous loss of |
gas by expansion in the heat of warm
suns. AS stated above, Chevalier has
shown some of the scientific men in this |
city that he is not mere Snowman; has |
interested them in his undertaking, and |
will proceed to perfect the preparations
for his interesting and Unprecedented |
voyage under propitious circumstances.