Wilmington daily commercial., 1873-09-15
Prsfss.or WISE. statemen..
PRUDENT MAN, ooNsIDERINa ALL THE CHANCES,
WILLING TO TAKE RISKS, BUT NOT TO 90 OFF, IN


PRUDENT MAN, CONSIDERING ALL THE CHANCES,
WILLING TO TAKE RISKS, But NOT TO 90 OFF, IN
ROTTEN BALLOON.
To The Editor of The N. T. Herald:
As my name has been prominently mentioned
In the public prints for numbers of weeks past
in connection with the balloon built by the Ddty
Graphic Company for the ostensible purpose OF
attempting TO cross the Atlantic, feel that JUS
tice to myself no less than to those who have
honored me with their confidence. requires that
shall explain the reasons for my withdrawal
from the GrGphiCs enterprise. am an enthus-
last but not mere theorist, and my calcuia-
tons of the probabilities of the successful tran
sit of the Atlantic ina balloon are based upon
careful observations Of the upper atmosphere
extending over period of nearly forty years
have never under-estimated the risks which
must be run by any one who would undertake 10
demonstrate the feasibility Of crossing the At
lantic in balloon; on the contrary, have cal,
culated so far as it is practicable to do 30, all
the chances of failure. Under the best auspices
failure is possible for the experiment is an un,
tried Que; but believe now. as have believed
for moi Q than twenty years that theplo aDlilues
are largely III favor of success, provided prop
erly constructed air vessel is furnished. Many
persons considered Columbus fool when he
started out to discover the New World. lie
would have been fool had he started in rot
ten and leaky ship. l may be mistaken In my
| theories, but do not think am, and am not a
fool in endevoring to give them practical test.
| would be fool II l was to attempt voyage in
/ a rotten balloon.
This is the whole matter in nutshell. The
| Graphic Company agreed to furnish me with q
i well constructed gas-tight balloon. They did
| not do 80 and that the proposed expedition is a
| failure s their fault and not mine. The Grdph-
| ic balloon was not constructed of the material
| suggested. l had no control over 1t, my func-
/ tions being only advisory. On the contrary, my
| advice, based ON many years practical expert
| ence as an aeronaut. was disregarded at every
| point, and. although have hoped against hope
| to the last moment the unhappy finale to what
/ promised to be a mcst interesting and import
ant scientific experiment ls exactly what ex-
/ pected it would be weeks ago 1t is a sad thing
| for me. when l thought that the great dream OF
| my life was about to be realized, to behold such
au ingorious conclusion; out l feel that no
| blame can attach to me in the matter, aud that
| an impartial public will only blame me for not
having abandoned the enterprise long ago
| Perhaps am to blame in this respect but il
was at least an amiable weakness. to hold on unit
| the last miuute In the hope that the balloon
might prove capable OF making credltablt
| start, even if il ended its career and mine by
| latting mo down in the middle OF the Atlantic
Ocean.
My faith in my theory of great easterly cur
rent il now strong as 1t ever was, for it wa'
| based upon positive scientific facts. am ready
now, as | have been ready for the last THIRTY
years, to risk my life in attempting to cross the
| Atlantic. All demand is reliable air ship
Had possessed the means | would have httee
one out long ago; but the leanness of my purse
rather than any lack Of inclination, has compel
ed me to defer the enterprise as a private ad
venture. If can be provided with gas-tigh
balloon OF the proper dimensions l will start to
| morrow, or next week, or pext month, or when
ever the air ship is ready do not wish to un
| dertake such an experiment as an exhibition 10
making money; on the contrary l am bitterly op
posed to even an appearance OF charatauism II
connection with what believe will test i'm
portant scientific fact. and il another attempt i
made to start "a balloon upon avoyage across tn
Atlantic 1 most sincerely hope that it will b
done soberly, advised y, and without any attempt
to make the exhibition a money masking aifaiI
since mere pseursry enterprise must intvita
: bly, cause embarrassment, which will imperil tn
| success OF a scientific experiment
JuuN WISE