The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1881-06-24

Prof. King, the aeronaut, has been pre-
pairing balloon to ascertain the air cur
rents from the Mississippi to the seaboard
preparatory to his trip across the Atlantic
King is one of the most successful balloon
lists now living, as he combines daring and
bravery with cool judgement, and never
permits himself to be unnecessarily ex-
posed to danger when there is no abso-
lutte demand for such risk, IN
The writer Of this article during the sum
mer of 1875 made a balloon ascension
with King from Quincy. in this State. AT
ter becoming somewhat accustomed to the
situation, the professor was Intercepted as
the probability of making use of the balloon
for scientific as well as for carrier purpos-
es. The professor then stated that in his
opinion little or no practical use could ever
be made of the balloon except for scientific
purposes.
I this connection the following interview
gives his ideas in full:
The balloon is condemned by many, and
justly so, because there are those who
claim for it impossibilities. 1t can only be
used and valued for what it is worth to
science. 1t will never be used as a carrier
in the strict sense, because that is imprac-
ticable; but for scientific research it is the
only means we have of studying the higher
regions and learning about the upper cur
rents-about the formation of rain and
snow and the action of storms It Is the
only thing by which we can reach point
in the heavens clear of the earth; and for
these purposes it is invaluable.
The day will never GENE when balloons
will be made to navigate the air against
the currents. That can only be done by
flying machines having momentum, which
balloon is without. You cannot throw
turf OF cotton against the wind, for the
reason that it has no resistance. The bal
looms mission is scientific in several ways.
You know, in case of war; it has been very
useful in escaping from besieged cities,
like Paris, for instance, and for military
operations it is the only way you have of
looking into the enemies Notifications with
impunity. 1t is also valuable for looking
down into deep water. I had an offer
made to me once to float over Lake Erie
and search for steamer that had sunk in
storm. From balloon you can look
down to the bottom of very deep water,
because you are away far enough to over
come the reflection of the sky. From my
balloon here l can see the channels the
boats take to Rockaway very clearly.
i have not the least doubt that the air
will be navigated by flying machine, but
It will have to fly better than bird flies,
the same as ship swims better than fish,
that u.s. the ship viii carry q thousand pas
sengers and a heavy cargo and go through
the water very swiftly, while a fish has all
it can do to take care of itself The flying
machine will have wide STRONG WINGS anC
will be propelled by some great force-i
may be nitro -glycerine, it may be gunpow
der and it may be hydrogen and oxygeI
gas, or it may be something else that viii
give it momentum; but, whatever it is, i
VIII be light and compact, so that a hand
Lul OF 1t, SO to speak, will last a Who'll,
DAY A baseball travels when hit with
pat and, if there should be a fly on its sur
Iaces It would carry its passenger. Yov