The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1873-07-31
Balloon Voyages.

Balloon Voyages.
The projected balloon vayage of Profess
sors Wise and Donaldson, across the
Atlantic, will make the following account
of this method of travel somewhat inte-
resting. The theory of the balloon seems
to be quite ancient, but it was not until
1870 that Lana, a Frenchman, we believe,
constructed machine to fly in the air,
which may be considered the first real at.
tempt to use atmosphere as a medium of
transit. A genius by the name of Galien,
in 1866, constructed an air-ship, but his
machine came to grief, and no description
of it has been preserved. In 1867, Pro-
lessor Black of Scotland, presented the
proposition that vessel filled with by
drogen gas would float suspended in the
air. No actual experiments seem to have
been made until 1882, when Cavallo put
the proposition to successful tests made
with soap bubbles filled with hydrogen
gas. But the first balloons were filled
with hot air, and were named Montgol-
fiers, from the name of the aeronaut who
first made ascents in them. These bal
looms are very simple in construction, and
are still popular with many aerOnauts.
~ ID d "Cll-AuO"u 1dNt III PAAAOSOPuy eAsse
hot air is specifically much lighter than
cool air. Heated water rises to the sur
face of the vessel in which it is contained,
and the surface will therefore be found
several degrees hotter than the water at or
near the bottom of the vessel. The up
ward rush of steam is another experiment
which shows the tendency of heat to rise
in the air. This principle is used in the
Montgolfier balloon. The air within it is
heated until it is difficult to restrain the
balloon. When it is released it mounts
the air with great rapidity. In some OF
the hot-air balloons the combustible
material is carried along, and, when ignit-
ed, assists in keeping the balloon at the
desired elevation. The most popular bal
loon is that which is inflated with hydro
gen gas. In such balloons long trips
have been made from time to time. The
first voyage in such machine was under
taken by Professor Charles, of Paris, in
the year 1888. He was accompanied by
two brothers named Roberts, who were
mechanics of great ingenuity. 1t is said
that the balloons of our day differ in no
important particular from that construct
ed by Professor Charles and his compan-
ions. The voyage was undertaken No
vember 26, 1888. 1t is said that three
fourths of the population of Paris were
witnesses of the singular spectacle. They
rose to the height of 1900 feet, and sailed
distance of thirty miles in perfect safe
ty. A balloon crossed the English Chan
mel on the 22d of February, 1854. 1t was
small in dimensions, and to it was attach
ed letter, which was afterwards returned
to the owner. 1t was found in France at
considerable distance from the coast. In
1884, Blanchard, noted aeronaut, to-
gether with a DIR. Jeffries, crossed the
Channel to France, where, after many vi
cissitudes, they landed in safety. In the
year 1886 a remarkable journey was un-
dertaken from London to Germany by
Green. The distance traversed was twelve
hundred miles, one of the longest ever
accomplished. The aeronaut set out from
London November Z, with two cOmpan-
ions. In the narrative describing this
journey we are told that Green provided
himself with quantity of provisions for
a long trip, and passports were also pro-
vided to all the states in Europe. The
balloon rose at midday, floating south
westwardly, and at halfpast four they ar
rived at the channel. The graphic his
torian of the trip tells us the waters
of the channel were crossed in an
hour, and the lights of Calais sighted.
1.-The whole surface Of the earth
for many leagues around showed
nothing but scattered lights, and the face
of the earth seemed to rival the vault
of heaven with starry fires. Every mo-
ment in the earlier part Of the night clus,
tiers of lights appeared, indicating large
centers Of population" At midnight the
travellers found themselves above Liege.
IT. 1~ol1oovo locoorloI IN <Lo n,,ohr~ ~
Nassau at seven O'Clock the following
morning. One of the voyagers tells US
that 1.-THE best answer which one could
give to those who would be disposed to
criticise the employment of these peculiar
means we made use Of, or to doubt their
efficiency, would be to state, after having
traversed without either danger or diff
Guilty so large q portion of the European
Continent, we arrived at our designation
still in possession of as much force as, had
we wished it, might have carried US round
the world"
lit would seem from the success which
attended this trip, it is possible to make
extended voyages in the air. 1t is a
theory among practical aeronauts that
there is a constant easterly current by
which a balloon can be transported to
Europe. From the voyage of Green this
idea gains some support. How much this
atmospheric current is affected by other
currents at great distance from the
shores of the ocean, can only be deter
mined by actual experiment. The present
project of Professor Wise seems to be
pushed forward in New York with great
energy. The results to be attained may
not be Immediately important, but a sue
cessfll passage across the Atlantic may
provoke further investigations which may
prove beneficial to mankind. The daring
of Professors Wise and Donaldson in at
tempting such perilous trip is something
greatly out of the range of ordinary pluck.
-Nesotoacn (Pa) Enterprise.
A Horse Burglar.
An alderman in Dubuque has very
knowing horse, quite famous for his ex-
PLOTS. The latest act that has gained him
notoriety took place Monday. In the
evening the horse picked the latch of the
stable door, promenaded the yard till mid
night and then proceeded to his owners
residence, walked down q stairway and
forced his way into the basement kitchen.
Once there, he commenced to make pre-