Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-05-17
THE BALLOON DISASTER.

The only surviving person OF the three who
made the recent remarkable and disastrous bal
loon ascension in France, NJ. Tissandier, has adj
dressed the following letter to the President of
the French Aeronautical Society.
CIRoN Indre). April Is, 1875.
Dear Sir An official telegram has already told
you of the deplorable disaster which has struck
us Sivel and Croce-Spnell arc no more. They
were seized with asphyxia in the high aerial ai
tudes which We reached. will tell yon what
can of this drama, for during two consecutive
hours was in q state of complete coma. The as
cent from the gas works of La Villette was sue
cessfuly accomplished. At o'clock we were al
ready at a height exceeding 5000 metres, the pres
sure being 400 milli-metres. We made the air
pass through potassium tubes, felt our pulses,
and calculated the temperature inside the balloon.
1t was so. Sivel arranged the car. Croce used
his spectroscope. We felt quite happy. Sivel
threw out ballast and very soon we rose, while in
hang the oxygen, which produced an excellent
effect. At 20 the barometer marked 800 milli-
metres we were at height Of 1000 metres. The
temperature was 10. Sivel and Croce were pal
| lid. felt weak. inhaled some oxygen, which
terminated me little. We still ascend. Sivel
turned to me and said, 1--WE have great deal of
ballast; shall l throw some out :" l answered.
"Do as you like" He turned to Croce and asked
him the same question. Croce nodded Affirmative
| ~ in q very energetic way. There were at least
five bags Of ballast in the car. Each bag Of bal.
four others hung by small ropes outside. Sivel
took his knife and cut three ropes. Three bags
were emptied, and we rose rapidly. All of a sud-
den became so feeble that could not even turn
my head to look at my companions, who were, /
believe seated. wished to take hold of the OK
ygen tube, but found it impossible to raise my
arm. My brain was still quite clear. My eyes
were fixed on the barometer, and saw the nee
die point first to a pressure of $50, and then to
$50 and over. l wished to call out, "We are at a
bn; nh IF orr hut nv fnnp WA /
were, paralyzed. Suddenly shut my eyes, and
fell senseess in a complete trance. 1t was then
about half-past l. At eight minutes past l
awoke for a moment. The balloon was rapidly
to stay the rapidity, and to write on my register
the following lines, which l copy: 1--WE are de-
scending; | throw out ballast barometrical
height, 3l5. We descend; Sive and Croce still
fainting in the bottom of the car. We descend
very quickly Scarcely had written these lines
when kind of trembling took possession of me,
aud again fell faintng. | felt violent wind,
which Indicated very rapid descent. Some min.
utes after felt my arm shaken, and recognized
Croce, who was terminated, throwing out ballast.
He said to me, 1--WE are descending" but could
scarcely open my eyes, and did not see whether
Swell was awake. | remember that Croce I'M
hooked the ospirdteur which he threw overheard,
as well ballast coverings. OF all this had
very confused recollection, for fell again into
state of coma even more completely than before,
and it seemed as though was wrapped in eternal
sleep. What happened l suppose the balloon
lightened, impervious to damp, had again as
cended to high attitudes. At about quarter past
opened my eyes again. l felt giddY and de-
jected, but my brain was clearer. The balloon
was descending with frightful rapdiy the car
swsying about violently and oscillatIng to and fro
dragged myself up and took Sivel and Croce by
the arms "Sivel! Croce !" ! cried, rouse your
in the car their heads hidden in their
cloaks | collected my strength, and tried to
raise them mp. Sivels face was black, his eyes
dull, his mouth open and full of blood Croce
Spinelili's eyes were shut and his mouth covered
with blood. l cannot tell you what then passed;
it is impossible. felt fearful wind blowing up
wards We were then at a heiget of 5000 metres.
There two bags Of ballast in the car, which
threw overheard. Soon earth drew nearer.
wanted to find my knife to cut the rope of the an
Choir; it was impossible TO find it. 1 was like a
mailman and kept calling out, "Sivel, Swell" BY
good fortune found the knife at last and cut the
anchor adrift at the right moment. The shock on
touching the earth was veiy violent. The balloon
seemed to steady itself and l thought would re-
main so but the wind was strong and drove it on.
The anchor would not catch and the glided
quite fiat over the fields. The bodies of my I'M
happy friends were shaken from side to side, and
thought every minute they would fall out OF the
car. Nevertheless. managed to get hold of the
rope of the escape valve, and the balloon soon
emptied itself and then crashed against
tree. 1t was o'clock when | put foot on
earth. was seized with violent iebrile convul-
sion. and soon | became livd and detected. |
thought was about to join my friends in the 9TH
err world. However, little by little, got better.
was close beside my unfortunate companions,
who were already cold and stiff. l caused their
bodies to be carried into q neighboring barn.
was choaked with sobs and am still. am at CT
ron near Lie Blanc, where have been most hos
pitably received. have been feverish all night
have not been able to eat anything yet and am
very weak. l embrace you. CASTOR IIssANDiER,