The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-08-11

FRIGHTFUL EXPERIENCE OF a BALLooN1sT.
IPhiladelphia Press, August ia most
thrilling scene was witnessed last evening
about dusk on the Delaware in front of the
city, and one which came near being attend
ed with fatal results. A balloon ascension
had been announced to take place at Point
Airy, the southern extremity of Windmill,
or Smiths island, and as the hour appointed
(half: past 6 o'clock drew near, hundreds OF
spectators gathered Oh the city wharves and
upon the street.corners in the neighborhood
adjacent to the Point Airy and Smiths Island
ferries to witness the novel sight. AT the
hour appointed, from Front street and Della
ware avenue, the upper portion OF the oal-
loon could be seen slowly expanding above
the lumber piles on the island which inter-
cepted the view, and the general anticIpa-
ton of the eXpectant multitude was that,
like previous exhibitions, the ascent would
nat exceed IL certain altitude.
There was no little CONSERVATION, there
fore, when shortly before O'Clock the bal
loon suddenly shot directly upwards to
height of several hundred feet above the
tree-tops without any visible means of hold
ing it in position. A steady breeze was
blowing from the southwest, and as the air.
ship moved off to the northward its progress
was watched with breathless expectancy by
onping crowds on both sides of the river.
Meanwhile, the balIoonist, clad in the be-
spaneled costume of q circus actor, went
through variety of eVolutions upon the
suspended bar, which seemed to float along
in the wake of the balloon. Now, with his
head to the earth now twisting and turn
ing, the daring man continued to disport
himself with the utmost apparent reckless
ness. He reached such great height that
| the gymnastic operations were hardly visible,
| but in short time the gassy foater was OBJ
served to slowly descend over the channel at
Smiths island, the purpose of its controller
having been evidently to effect a landing on
the northern extremity of the island.
Either owing to the failure of the gas to
escape with sufficient rapidity, or because Of
the stiffness of the breeze then blowing,
the attempt was unsuccessful, and the bal
loon and its manager did not come within
thirty feet Of the surface, but went sweeping
along over the river beyond. Some distance
above the island the man struck the river,
but still retained his hold Of the ropes,
which, propelled by the fast-drifting balloon,
was dragged through the water ut a fearful
rate. Finding himself growing weaker from
the constant strain upon his muscles, and
being momeHtarily 10 danger OF becoming
entangled in the ropes Of the balloon and
dragged beneath the surface the man finally
let go his hold, and in his exhausted condi.
ton struck out with tired, oyerstrained
arms for the nearest refuge.
Several small sail.boats shot out from the
shore and from their courses on the river,
| aud beaded for the ow-apparently drowned
man but before they could reach the sink.
ing balloonist the ferry-boat America, which
| Ind left the Market-street slip to cross the
bar, reached him just as he was about giving
up, and took him on board. The credit Of
his rescue is due to the night force OF the
l;America, who LOST no time in running Q
ladder into the water, upon which the man
was helped on the bout In thoroughly ex.
thausted condition. The balloon, when
iightened of its load, went careerlng wildly
laiong upon the waves, now uninterrupted