Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-08-14

ALMOST ANOTHER La MOUNTAIN AFFAIR.
"A thrilling scene was witnessed Wednes-
day evening about dusk on the Delaware,
IN front OF Philadelphia, and one which
came near being attended with fatal re-
suits. balloon ascension had been an
nounced to take place at Point Airy, the
southern extremity of Smiths Island, and
as the hour appointed (6.15 o'clock) drew
near, hundreds of spectators gathered on
!he city wharves and upon street corners
IN the neighborhood to witness the novel
sight. Presently the upper portion of the
balloon could be seen Slowly expanding
above the lumber piles on the island which
Intercepted the view, and the general an
tieIpation of the expectant multitude was
that. like previous exhibitions, the ascent
would not exceed certain altitude by
reason OF the precaution above alluded to.
There was no little CONSERVATION, there
fore, when, shortly before seven o'clock,
the balloon suddenly shot directly upwards
to height of several hundred feet above
the tree tops without any visible means of
holding 1t IN position. A steady breeze
was blowing from the southwest, and as
the alr-ship moved off to the northward its
progress was watched with breathless ex-
pectancy by gaping crowds en- both sides
OF the river. Meanwhile, the balloonist,
clad in the bespangled costume of a circus
actor, went through variety of eyolutions
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 turning, the daring man con-
tinued TO disport himself with the utmost
apparent recklessness. He reached such
great height that the gymnastic opera
tions were hardly visible, but in a short
time the gassy foater was observed to
slowly descend over the channel at Smiths
Island, the purpose of its controller hay-
ing been evidently to effect landing on
The northern extremity of the island.
Either owing to the failure of the es-
cape with sufficient rapidity. or because
OF the stiffness OF the breeze then blowing,
the attempt was unsuccessful. and the
balloon 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 at fearful rate. Finding himself
growing weaker from the constant strain
upon his muscles, and being momentarily
in danger Of becoming entangled in the
ropes of the balloon and dragged beneath
the surface, the man finally let 90 his
hold. and in his exhausted condition
struck out with tired, overstrained arms
tor the nearest refuge. Several small
sail-boats shot out from the shore and
from their courses on the river, and head
ed Tor the now apparently drowning man;
but. before they could reach the sinking
balloonist, the ferry-boat America, which
had left the Market street slip to cross the
oar, 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 America. who lost no time in
running ladder into the water, upon
which the man was helped on the boat in
thoroughly exhausted condition.
The balloon, when lightened of its load,
went careering wildly along upon the
waves, now white capped by the stiff
evening breeze, in the direction of Coop
er's Point, where it finally brought up, in
a totally dilapidated condition, upon the
outer piers of the wharf at that point.
way of the unwieldly monster to dispute
its right of passage, but on the contrary,
the skiifs and batteaux above the island
We're glad to give the unusual visitor all
the scaroom to which its novelty entitled
it.
The rescue and its startling incidents
were witnessed by thousands of people
upon Smiths Island and along the
wharves and may serve either as another
commentary upon the dangers of balloon
ing or reeklessness of individual balloon
lists. The rescued air-gymnast, after being
carried to Camden, started, in company
with some friends to regain possession Of
his runaway property.