Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1878-07-15
NO. l65.
Misfellanenus.
DANGERS OF AERIAL TRAVEL.
A BOSTON FLYING MACHINE UNMANAGEA-
BILE IN MID AIR.
From the Boston Advertiser July 6th.l

From the Boston Advertiser July 9th
The many thousand persons who wit
messed the ascension of the flying-ma-
chine from the Common on Thursday
morning admired the GOODNESS of the oper-
ator. Mark Quinlan. in making the attempt
in the strong wind that prevailed, but few
of them had an idea that his nerves would
be put to such a strain as his adventure
called for.
The word "let go" was given five min
utes before 9 O'clock. when the machine
suddenly shot upward to the height of 900
feet instead oil ascending gradually and
smoothly, as was the intention. In at
tempting to work the cranks by means of
which the fans are put in motion. Quinlan
found to his horror that something was
binding the gearing, and that the machn-
cry would not work. The balloon being
inflated with hydrogan gas, which has
greater expansive power than the ordina-
ry Illuminating gas which is generally
used in ballooning because OF greater sus-
ceptiblily to the influence of the Tareticd
atmosphere at such a great elevation, ex-
panded rapidly and began to crack, while
the bands surrounding the vulcanized rub
Der cylinder or balloon began to snap.
The situation OF the aeronaut was one Of
extreme danger. He knew that he must
get his machinery in motion to descend
into lower atmosphere, or accomplish
the same result by "A more hazardous ex-
pedient, OF cutting hole in the balloon.
Determined not resort to the cutting
ill all other expedients had fail
ed, he wound piece of hempen
cord around his left ankle, and then. re-
moving his foot from the strrup fastened
it securely to one of the brass pipes OF
which the frame of the machine is con-
structed. Having fastened his left wrist
in the same way to the frame of the ma
chine. Mr. Quinlan got out Of his saddle,
aud let himself down under the machine.
Having discovered the cause OF the diff.
Guilty To be Ioosened screw, the project
ny head OF which came in contact with
one of the small gear-wheels, he took out
his jack-knile, and using the point of The
blade as a screw-driver, he turned the
screw back into lis place, and fastened it
securely. lie then reganed his seat, and
found that the fan would work, and that
under the influence of a reverse motion to
the central or horizontal fan he was de-
scending. He made his first landing at
Farnumsville, near Grafton, at 10: go
o'clock, having made the IA miles in !
-
hour and % minutes.
After lunch and rest he made anoth-
er ascent. with the hope that he could
reach Boston in time to make two other
exhibitions, as advertised. The machine
this time worked well, but when he got
well up he found that the lower current of
wind was blowing in the same direction
from which he had come. and in order to
rectify this he started for the higher cur
rent, and found that it was blowing toward
Boston, but yet he was a great way from
the city, and with everything in his favor
it was vet another thing TO make the de-
sired point. Contrary winds proved too
much for his courage and skill, and alter
learning that the wind was increasing and
that the lower current had not changed at
all since he started he deemed it best to
land in the most available place, and did
so without much trouble, this time at Do
yer. He started for Boston by rail. reach
ing here about 6 80. and bringing his ma
chine with him.