Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1873-08-22
PERILOUS B.gLLOO.y'E.vG.

most thrilling scene was witnessed last
evening about dusk on the Delaware in front
of the city, and one which came near being
attended with fatal results. A balloon as
cension had been announced to take place
at Point Airy, the southern extremity of
Windmill Tor Smith's) Island, and as the
hour appointed (6i o'clock) drew near hum
dreds of spectators gathered on the city
wharves an / upon the street corners in the
neighborhood adjacent to the Point Airy
and Smiths Island ferries to witness the
novel sight. 1t was currently rumored
among the motley throngs that the balloon
ist on this occasion was the same who had
during the present summer given similar
exhibitions at Gloucester and Smiths ISL
and, on which occasions before ascending
into the limitless expanse above, he had in
varably adopted the very sensible precau-
ton of fastening his aerial ship by means
of stout ropo 10 some mmovable object
on terra firma. In this way, the VOYAGES
of the balloon were confined within pre-
scribed circle, and the mid-air gymnastics
Of the intrepid aeronaut, these being the
more attractive features of the ascensions,
were accomplished with comparative safe
ty. At the hour appointed, from Front
street and Delaware avenue, the upper por-
ton Of the balloon could be seen slowly
expanding above the lumber piles on the
island which intercepted the view, and the
general anticipation of the expectant null
titude was that, like previous exhibitions
the ascent would not exceed q certain alti-
tude by reason of the precautions above al
luded 10. There was no little CONSERVATION,
therefore, when, shortly before o'clock
the balloon suddenly shot directly upwards
to height of several hundred feet above
the tree tops without any visible means o.
holding it in position.
A steady breeze was blowing from the
southwest, and as the airs ship moved of
toward the northward its progress was
watched with breathless expectancy by
gaping crowds on both sides of the river
Meanwhile the baloonist, clad in the be-
spanged costume of circus actor, wen
through variety of evoutions upon the
suspended bar which seemed to float alons
| in the wake of the balloon. Now with hi.
| head to the earth, now twisting and turn
ing, the daring man continued to dispor
himself with the utmost apparent reckless
ness. He reached such hight that the
| gymnastic operations were hardly visible
but in short time the gassy floater wa
| observed TO slowly descend over the chan.
mel at Smiths Island, the purpose of It's
controller having been evidently to effect
| landing on the northern extremity of tn,
island. Either owing to the failure of thu
gas to escape with sufficient Iapidity or be
cause of the stiffness of the breeze thel
blowing, the attempt was unsuccessful, ant
| the balloon and the manager did not com,
| within thirty feet of the surface, but wen
sweeping along over the river beyond
Some distance above the island the maj
struck the river; but still retained his holC
of the ropes, which, propelled by the fast
drifting balloon, was dragged through tn
water at a fearful rate. Finding himsel
| growing weaker from the constant strair
upon the muscles, and being momentaril,
in danger of becoming entangled in tn
ropes of the balloon and dragged beneatl
the surface, the man finally let go his hold
and in his exhausted condition struck on
with tired, over-strained arms for the near
est refuge. Several small sail-boats sho
out from the shore and from their course
on the river and headed for the now appar
emily drowned man but before they coul,
reach the sinking balloonist the ferry-boa
America, which had left the Market stree
slip to cross the bar, reached him Just as h
was about giving up, and took him oil
board
The balloon, when lightened of lis load
went careering wildly along upon th
waves, now white capped by the stiff eve
ming breeze, in the direction of Cooper
Point, where it finally brought up in to
tally dilapidated condition, upon the cute
piers of the wharf at that point. Luckil
there were no frail craft in the way of th
unwieldy monster 10 dispute its right c
passage, but, on the contrary, the skiH
and batteaux above the island were glad [
give the unusual visitor all the sea-room [
which its novelty entitled it.
The rescue and its startling incident
were witnessed by thousands of people uI
on Smiths Island aud along the W harves
and may serve either as another common
tary upon the dangers of ball coming or up
OH the recklessness of indivld ual balloon
lists. The rescued air-gymnast, after ben
carried TO Camden, started in company wit
some friends TO regain possession of hi
runaway property. Philadelphia Pres
Aug.7.
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