The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1881-07-06
A DAY WITH A WAR BALLOON

q
Interest ~ balloons and ballooning. that
perhaps II may be worth while to note
down the following short account of some
early experiences and first impressions
with balloons before they fade away from
the memory.
Jug 2S.-This is the third day that we
have been hard at work making gas for
balloons IN the Arsenal at WoOlwich with
al experimental apparatus. The process
Of manufacturing hydrogen by blowing
steam through heated iron turnings pre-
sents no great novelty in principle, for the
French used II for initiating their military
balloons as long ago as the battle Of
Fleu-us IN 1874; and, to Judge by the
meagre accounts which have reached us.
they appear to have been very successful
II the manufacture. In these DAYS Of
competitive examinations and Staff Col
lege certificates the soldier has to use his
pen as much # not more than his sword,
AID the military student Of the future viii
be overwhelmed with records only too
volumlnous and elaborate of every detail
Of cur military equipment. But In those
days, under the stern regime OF a revolu-
uOnGTy convention. the sword had de-
cldedly the best Of il, so no detailed
records Of the French and their work are
available. We must be content to learn
our experience from the beginning, and
find out how to manufacture our hydrogen
for ourselves. We are at present very
new 10 the work, and we have to contend
with many difficulties. Yet we do manage
t. make hydrogen. The worst of il is that
when we have got 1t. II is very difficult to
keep 1t, Tor It Is the most subtle and diff
hcUlt TO retain of any gas which we could
possibly use. SO we cannot avoid a serious
loss by leakage, though our light balloon
fabric does retain 1t much better than
might fairly be expected.
But to-day being fine and favorable for
balloOning, It Is time to forsake the gas
furnace, and get a little practical ex-
penence as an aeronaut. The Talisman,
as the balloon Is named which we propose
10 employ. being already half full of by
dnogen, is filed up completely with gas.
and ! first try a captive ascent.
A strong rope, perhaps 1000 feet long,
is wound upon large drum. whence it
can be paid out OF hauled In as required.
lly means Of a winch and brake. The end
Of the rope Is carefully made fast to the
Talisman's hoop. This is strong circle
Of ash. to which all the terminal cords of
the balloon netting above are fastened.
and below which again the car is sus-
pended 10y proper car-ines or connecting
ropes. / get into the car a sufficient
number Of bags of sand as ballast are in
froduced. to leave only moderate lift or
ascensional power IN the balloon The
rope pays itself out readily from the drum
as the Sapper in charge eases off the
brake The Talisnan scars aloft, and
whenever the pace is too rapid it is easily
checked by light application of the
brake.
This is almost my first introduction to
CAPTIVE work. and the sensation is most
decidedly not too pleasant or reassuring.
The great balloon above tugs and strug
giles, as if perfectly conscious of a bumil-
iating state Of captivity, and longing to
be free. This is especially the case when
ever q gust Of wind puts considerable
extra strain on the guy rope. The latter,
as ] have said, Is fastened to the hoop
above ones head But it rides against
the light vickerwork of the car, which
creaks and groans IN rerponse in doleful
and somewhat distressing manner Were
Il not for a powerful spring of india
rubber. which checks the oscillations of
the guy rope, and tends to steady the bal
loon. the effect on ones nerves might be
much worse than it is.
But. fortunately, there Is not too much
time for noticing these matters, for there
is a constant necessity for letting go bal
last. to meet the continually increasing
weight Of suspended guy rope below, or
the balloon would soon cease to rise. At
last the ballast is all expended. and the
guy rope Is paid out no further. The
Vi3d has caused the balloon to- drift off to
l. III
TIC point Of departure below, and she now
settles into a condition Of approximate
equilibrium. The hight above the ground
i shown by the barometer to be about
1000 feet. The long guy rope hangs in a
graceful curve below. The portion next
the balloon. for hundreds Of feet. is nearly
vertical. and that near the ground almost
horizontal. But Of this see little One
on two tiraid glances are quite sufficient,
for ones head. naturally a very Indifferent
one where it is a question of looking down
from ciddy nights, is not yet acclimatized
to the situation by practice in ballooning
So I cannot look at the ground under, or
nearly under. the balloon without a shud-
der and a decidedly creepy sensation.
Above al. one must avoid looking down
the guy rope. for this, in its long catenary,
extending far below. reach after reach,
and ending almost IN vanishing point,
r;ves measure to the eve of the giddy
bight-far worse. as I afterwards find.
Than looking down from thrice the hight
IN free tlip where there Is no guy rope.
For military purposes, for reconnoiuing
that Is. there can be no question of the
value Of such suspended point of obser-
va6on as this. Every detail in the In
rr-nsrsble buildings below-the worimen
Eroinr to and fro in their work, the ships
passing and repassing on the Thames, the
Beckson gas-Works on the further shore
and lower down the river, the Artillery
lerep-se pround on Woolwich Common,
lie Herbert Hospital and other buildings
further a-Tay-everythin Is seen, and In
the cIesrest possible manner. For there
3 VEN sensible advantage in the clear
- ~ view from a balloon as contrasted
vrstb that obtained at the ground level,
even where the latter Is perfectly free and
Tnollsfructed by obstacles. 1t Is well
lnnun 10 astronomers, and to all who have
- make careful observations OF distant
,,l,ssrts. that the vision in horizontal or
-,as-jr horizontal direction Is greatly IN
sarfe-,-s with by the unseen exhalatlons
fram the ground. and the varying density
- lie lowest strata Of air at and near the
r-oun6. Whereas at a high angle, as
6ere from the balloon, the rays OF hght