Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1875-07-03
A NIGHT BALLOON VOYAGE.
PerilOus Adventures Of Three Cana
dian Editors

dian Editors.
New York SUM-
Mr.. Charles Pirie. of the Torou to Sun,
who with Mr.. Charles, of the Leader,
and Mr. Devine, of the Advertiser, went
up with Professor Donaldson in the bal
loon p. T. Barnum from Toronto ON
Thursday last, gives an interesting ac-
count of the voyage and their miracn-
lous escape from the waters OF Lake
Ontario. They reached an altitude Of
1000 feet, ard when twilight set in they
were over the center of the lake. The
Professor then announced that they
would be compelled to remain out all
night, and it would be impossible to
make Handing unless tho wind changed.
The wind shortly increased and drove
the balloon along at the rate of forty
miles an hour. More ballast being
thrown OFT the air-ship assembled until it
reached hight of nearly two miles. At
this point they could see nothing but
each other and the stars. The atmos-
phere was cleaF and bitterly cold, and
they huddled together in the basket to
keep themselves warm Then they de-
scended and came within few hundred
feet OF the water. They sighted Oshawa
in the distance before it became dark
and came within few hundred feet OF
land Then a change of wind drove
them far out over the lake. Mr.. Pirie
continues;
A STARTLING PHENOMENON.
AS the evening wore into night
heavy mist rose to the west, or in rear OF
the balloon. 1t seemed to follow close
behind, but did not overtake it, the air
being quite clear in front. At later
period in the night, when two of the re-
porters went almost asleep having been
singing and endeavoring to- pass the
time as pleasantly as possible under the
circumstances, Mr.. Devine, who was on
the lookout suddenly called atteLtion to
a magnificent burst of light which illum.
mated the whole sky. He fancied for a
moment that the balloon was on fire, but
this delusio1 was quickly dissipated, and
the cause of the light was discovered to
be most brilliant meteor, which ap-
peared almost directly overhead, lasting
for an instant and then suddenly dart
ing off in an easterly direction, chan ged
its course, aud gradually faded away.
The spectacle was singularly impress
i've one, and will never be forgotten by
those who saw it.
STILL IN THE DARK.
After passing Port Hore, the move.
ments ofthe balloon became very erratic,
the wind blowing from all points of the
compass. After drifting about for some
time in this purposeess manner the bal
loon descended to within twenty feet of
the waves, which were rolling heavily,
the great drag rope trailing in the lake.
As this weight OF rope was interfering
with the motion of the balloon, the Pro
fessors orders were that it should be
taken into the car This was no easy
task, as it was an inch thick and nearly
three hundred feet long. 1t having been
coiled in the car after very heavy labor,
it was found thatthe weight on the car
was more than the bottom could bear,
and it was again gradually let out to the
extent of fifty feet. The balloon sud
denly dipped into the water and rose
again, and again dipped This was, to
say the least of it, unpleasant, and the
ballast having been all disposed of, the
Professor ordered the anchor and the
drag-line to be thrown overheard, and
thus lightened, the balloon sprang up
ward and the moon rising, illumined
the whole extent oil the lake.
SIGHTING A SCHOONER
The light enabled the party to sight
q schooner in the distance, coming to.
ward them from the east in the direct
line of the balloon. The party imme-
diately hailed the boat which replied to
their cries and asked where they we're.
Naturally, they replied "up in bal
loon" which had such humorous sound
that those on board the schooner uttered
some calculations Of displeasure, and
Immediately tackled away This was
like the last hope disappearing, and a
feeling Of dread apprehension fell upon
the party. All hope was not however,
abandoned, as it was felt that another
vessel might come in sight or the wind