The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1870-05-06
Grand BALLOON ASCENSION,
Professor King and Mr.. Walter steele
Sup In a Balloon

In accordance with previous notice, Prof.
fessor Samuel A. King made his one hundred and
forty-fourth balloon ascension, yesterday after
noon, from the Citadel Green.
THE CROWD.
Around the Green on the inside OF the fence po-
llcemen were stationed at intervals, to keep the
crowd out Of the enclosure, and to inform those
who had tickets Of admission or wished to pur-
chase them, to go to the gate on King street.
About five hundred persons took advantage Of
the Information and went inside Of the enclosure,
and, getting as close the balloon as was possible,
intently watched the operation OF innatlng the
erial monster, which was done from one Of the
city gas mains. AS we have stated, there were
about five hundred persons inside Of the enclo-
sure, but outside, hanging on to the fence by their
chins peering through the raiings, tiptoeing In
the middle Of the street, gazing from windows,
balconies steeples, tops Of houses, and from every
position that commanded view OF the ground,
there were about ten thousand.
INITIATION.
The balloon "Aurora" was the one used on this
occasion, and when Inflated, which did not occur
until few minutes Of six O'clock was thirty feet
In diameter, fifty feet In height and contained
sixteen thousand cubic feet OF gas. In the early
part OF the afternoon there was quite fresh
breeze blowing towards the northeast, and In that
direction were heavy clouds. To ascertain the
exact direction Of the wlnd and perhaps also to
appease the spectators, who were growing lmpa
tlenI, Professor King inflated small balloon, and
two curious limitations OF animals, tof exactly
what description was not decided, but some
ole mi Il
90 ct Intervals These loated of very prettily,
and were watched until they were lost to sight In
the clouds mentioned.
"HERE WE GO, GIRLS"
At6 o'clock the balloon was dragging at the
weights which held 1t to the ground. The basket
or car. about two and half feet deep, four feet
long, by three feet wide, was then attached. AT
either side OF the car was United States nag.
About twenty persons held the ropes, and the
weights were removed. Professor King, and Mr..
Walter Steele, who had volunteered to accom-
pany him, stepped into the car Professor King
then unloosed the rope which held the balloon,
and In moment the Aurora was nearly as high
up In the air as the steeple OF the Citadel Square
Baptist Church, and then sailed rapidly or In
more easterly direction than that taken by the
smaller specimens above referred to, but ascend :
ing all the while. AS she ascended, she was
greeted by cheers and shouts of "There she goes;"
"IIallo, she's going out to sea-" But these cries
soon ceased, all being too busily engaged In gaz-
ing When the balloon was some distance or
from the Green Mr.. Steele threw out large num-
bers OF haudbills, which nuttered slowly to the
ground Thousands of eyes watched the balloon
until 1t disappeared (which it did in about ten
minutes after startIng,) and then for a half OF an
hour or more gazed In the direction where she
was last seen.
Up to late hour last night nothing had been
heard from the "ballonists."