The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-03-21
I" UP M BALLOON."
Peri1ous Adventures of al Eronnut-A
Few Flights with Him.

PeriIous Adventures of al Eronaut-A
Few Flights with Him.
The expressions ':going up the spout, " 'up the
creek, sand up for ninety days" are familiar to
all of our readers, but very few Of them have
seen any one literally "go up,n therefore sketch
OF man who has "gone up" one hundred and
forry.three times, and proposes to 'go upn again
this time for the benefit OF our citizens-must
prove interesting. We will follew ION paper Pro-
fessor King, in some Of his many adventures
Among the little stars,
Sailing round the moon"
THE FIRST ASCENSION.
Mr.. Samuel A. King, who will make an ascen-
sion from the Citadel Green this week, Is native
of Philadelphia, and was born ia 1928. He is an
aronaut OF extensive practical experience hav-
ing been engaged in the science Of 6allooning for
the past twenty years, during which time he has
made no less than one hundred and forty-three
ascensions. Having witnessed some of the e1-
ploIts of Wise and other eronauts In his native
city, he resolved upon attempting something OF
the kind himself, and accordingly constructed
balloon, In which he ascended at Philadelphia On
the 25th OF September, 1851. He did not have
full supply of gas, bat not wishing to disappoint
the people, he made the ascent with the balloon
little more than half filed. AS soon as the rope
was cut, the balloon dashed against the enclos-
ure then came in contact with the wire bridge,
and next struck the telegraph wire, the car all
the while swaying to and fro in the wind. Finally
the balloon descended into the SchuylEill River,
and after bouncing up and down in the water,
and half drowning the eronaut, at length rose to
the western bank where the voyager concluded
to and did anchor.
UPS AND DOWNS.
In 1855 Mr.. King ascended from Wikesbarre,
Pennsylvania, and sailed over mountain and for
est for about an hour Iii search Of landing place.
Suddenly the basket brushed against high hem
lock, in the limbs Of which the grapnel was
caught. The balloon was driven with great force
against the scrsggy limbs OF another tree, and In
less time than 1t takes to tell 1t, was tern to
pieces. The sudden escape OF gas caused the
wreck to fall to the ground, carrying the aronaut
with it. he fell forty feet, and for few moments
laid insensible but fortunately received no seri-
GUS injuries. On another occasion, In August,
1857, Mr. King ascended from New Haven, Conn.,,
with two other gentlemen. They were carried
out over Long Island Sound, and, after sailing
dozen miles or more, concluded that they had
better effect landing on one Of the small islands
thereabout or else be carried out to sea. AS was
not certain that the balloon would strike directly
on the island-a very small o1e-Mr. King deter
mined to make the balloon alight In the water
first, and drag the car on it to the island. This
was accordingly done. The balloon struck where
the water was deep, and the party were, for
moment, submerged, but were snatched out as
the balloon recovered itself, and then dragged,
Lnee.deep in the water, to the island, which was
not much larger than the balloon. number Of
yachts which had followed the balloon, came to
the assistance OF the party who were then carried
to the mainland.
JUMP FOR YOUR LIVES.
On trip with four other persons from Boston
Common, in 1851, the balloon was carried down
the harbor by strong west wind. AS there was
only small strip OF sand beach between the
party and the sea, Professor King determined to
land upon the beach. Knowing that the anchor
would drag through the sand, ne allowed the car
to strike the water before reaching the bank; the
anchor was fung overheard and gas permitted to
escape in such quantities that the balloon In few
moments would have come to q stana-still. AS
the shore was reached, one OF the party jumped
out This lightened the car to such an extent that
1t drifted rapidly across the beach to the water
on the other side. The only chance to escape
drowning was for all to leave the balloon at once,
and as the water was reached, all, at the
command Of Professor King to jump for their
lives, jumped and escaped with slight
welting. The balloon was so crippled before
1t was abandoned that it fell into the water q
few miles from the shore, and was recovered.
In 1862 another ascension was made from Boston
Common, and as the balloon 1oated out seaward,
Professor King accepted an invitation from the
captain Of tug "to come down and be picked
up." The balloon lit in the water; the tug came
up, threw line to the Ironaut, and commenced
towing the balloC The tow-rope broke and
away went the balloon. The tug caught up with
1t again. and another towing scene soon com.
menced; but in short time the condition OF
affairs was reversed. A strong wind came up;
the balloon ascended, and commenced towing
the tug against its will to dangerous reef OF
rocks. Not daring to reverse the engine against
the balloon, the captain begged the arial voyag.
ers to come aboard OF his tug, which they agreed
to do, coming hand over hand down the tow.rope,
which was thirty feet long. One Of the men lost
his hold and fell overheard, but was rescued. As
the last man stepped aboard Of the tug, the rope
parted, and away went the balloon. 1t was
found the next day, split from top to bottom by q
rail fence, near the entrance to Boston harbor.
CRISoLINE IN TIE AIR.
In Melrose, Mass, Professor King permitted Ia
dies to ascend short distance Ropes were at
tached TO the balloon and held by men on the
ground When up with five ladies' the ropes
slipped through the mems hands, and as they
attempted to check the balloon, they were taken
on their feet. One by one they let 60, and the
balloon was adrlft. Two OF the ladies were terri
bly, frightened, two clapped their hands in
eestacy, and one did not know whether to laugh
OF cry. After sail OF four miles the balloonists
were safely landed In young forest.
All Of our readers will remember the account
OF Professors Kings recent trip from Augusta 20
Gourdin:s Station on the Northeastern Railroad,
how he was cheered, shot ut, and at last landed
in big tree, the branches Of which tore his bal
loon, and gave him severe fall. Many adven-
lures Of similar character have happened to Mr.
King. Not single accident has yet occurred in
any OF the numerous ascensions OF Mr.. King, by
which any one has been injured, though many Of
the ascensions were made under very adverse
circumstances.
STRANGE DISAPPEARANCE OF Two CoLoRED
BoYs-ONE FOUND DEAD.-On Wednesday last two