The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1873-06-18
AcTo,. the Atlantic in sixty Hours

O visit TO Prof. JOHN W lsE' Tue AeEOnAuI,
and VIC quote the result from Sundays
| ~ y Herald:
Question by interylewer.-l have call
cd, PmtBsor, To- obtSiA your reasons Tor
believing thatShe trip 10 Europe by ibaI-
Ion Il spracticGbIe, gaul I am sure that
they must be founded upon experience!
Answer1by Prof Wise. -The problem
is an easy one. 1t Is a mere matter Of
building o float which will remain sus-
pended in the atmosphere for sixty or
seventy hours, and with which We can
rise or fall into the northwest or south
west wind. .p .a ~ a.
T. Q-You are thoroughly convinced OF
the existence Of an eastsrly current in the
upper atmosphere?
/ Al have known il for more than 30
years, from personal observation and eX'
perienCe. The nature Of the currents in
the atmosphere were well known even 10
the Rnclents. The, currents Of tho trade
winds are graphically described In the
Bible (Ecclesiastes l., GE-"Tho wind
goeth toWard;the Bodth and turneth about
Unto the north" In the "lliad" Of Homer
The description given Of the motion oil
bodies when hurled from great heights Is
the same as ! have observed when things
are thrown from q balloon when at a
great height-they spin upon their YER
Teal axis.
Q-Is there any doubt but that If the
money were supplied the expedition could
start this season? :,
A.-Not the slightest. Six weeks would
he amply sufficient 10 build the balloon
and equip the entire apparatus.
I Own you be kind enough 10 give
me some general idea Of the plan upon
which the aerial vessel will be built?
A-The ballon itself will be globular
in shape. A balloon Of 100 feet In Diane.
ter is Of ample size to CROSS the ocean, and
one Of 156 feet would be sufficiently large
Tor the purpose Of acknowledging the
globe. lam certain that If / can cross the
ocean I can 60 around the globe. This
would require prob ably eight or ninedGya.
Q.-What capacity would You have,
Professor, for passengers or malls?
AHA balloon 100 feet in diameter
we could take 10000 pounds Of disposable
L
should take q great deal 81 this in the
shape Of provisions, cooked and canned
meats and fruits. A large quantity OF
Quickllme would be taken, and we should
use 1t for warming coffee and boiling eggs.
Q.-By whatmeans other than from the
sun, would you determine your locationS
Ave should take observations upon
the sun with the sextAnt. Weshould also
employ chronometers and the barometer.
We should mako reckonings three times
q day. The first important observation
would be TO get the baromatic lines Of the
upper tradeWlnds. These are probably
at regular level over the ocean, since
temperature Is more even below and no
undulations In tho surface exists TO cause
fluctuations In the air currents. BY these
several means we should establish some
system as regards the attainment Of
points on the other side Of the ocean.
Since we must necessarily have the adj
vantages OF tho two upper trade currents
from tho northwest and the southwest,
giving US all the territory which lies
within the range of the compass Tor places
Of which to land. From former expert
euce on the lakes I Judge that can tell
the direction which the balloon ia travel.
Ing by the foam OF the water. ! can
always sec tho water, except at such times
as clouds intervene. can find out the
direction OF the currents below me with
out coming down to seek them, by sus-
pending light line of two miles In length
from the balloon, having on It, at regular
distances, indices which will register the
direction of the wind, Should the bal
loon encounter the "brave west winds )"
on the ocean, with the aid OF drag line
we would go right along without the loss
Of gas or ballast.
Q-Am l to understand that you will
have line Of water from the car?
A.-Precisely so. The balance or drag
rope, about one thousand feet In length,
relieves the balloon OF weight exactly to
the extent OF the ropes EMERSON In the
water. 1t does not materially retard It's
progress, and gives US the exact direction
In which the balloonis travelling. Should
we desire to come down nearer 10 the
water we have only to wind up this rope.
should also state that il no other means
offered for ascertRining our direction we
shall have along with US percussion fire
pots, which, when thrown on the sea, will
ignite, showing their smoke in daylight
and their light by night. They will be,
literally, our "pillAr Of cloud by day and
pillar Of fire by night"
O.-Please describe the car In which
the passengers will travelr
Ave shall have large Wickerwork
car, with strong canvas sides and roof 10
protect US from the weather. In these
will be glass windows. This car will be
Of two stories in heigth We shall live
on the upper floor, and in tho lower we
shall store our provisions. Underneath
the car will be an open gallery for taking
observations Of the sun. 1t will be put
as far below as practicable, 90 as TO avoid
as much as possible tho shadow from the
balloon. Below this gallery the lite'boat
will be suspended. This will be OF metal
and decked over. l have thought Of TAX
ing the little full rugged vessel "Red,
White and Blue" as she only. weighs 500
pounds. rhave already seen her owner.
Q-What are the possibilities Of the
future should your trip prove successful
A-Every thing imaginable In the way
OF transportation may become possible
then. We may be, able 10 discount the
stories Of Aladdin and the genii. II 1t is
possible to transport ten people across the
ocean 1t Is feasible 10 take up regt-
ment oil soldiers. Sailing in the air will
have to be learned just as was the nSVl-
cation Of the sea. It took q great many
years before men would venture to sea in
ships. Even In Horace's time 1t was &C.
counted a wonderful act oil daring 10 cross
tho Mediterranean. Ilshould also say
that the succesS-of this undertaking will
enable US to foEetell 70 nlclety by cable
the state Of the weather on tho British
Isles, as the cyclones which bring the
weather waves Willpsss Us previously z
40 ~. w. SS EE25.5 = = "
Attention Assessors and Ta1-PayeEs.
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