Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-10-05
AN AERONAUr's SUCCESS.
"a. L'HOste aG Last crosses the
English Channel from
France.

The coveted distinction Of being
the first to cross the channel from the
French side in a balloon has been
gained by the we'll known young aero
naut, NJ. L'HOste. This result has
only been obtained by perseverance,
after several unsuccessful efforts. The
first time he went up from Boulogne
in company with NJ. Eloy, and the
balloon fell at Desyres, a little town
about twelve miles inland. On the
second occasion he went up alone at
midnight, and, after descending near
DLnkirk In the morning, started
affesh and was picked up in the North
Sea By fishing boat. Nothing daun-
ted by perils from which he had mar
roTly escaped, he made two subsequent
ascents, and each tims came down at
Dixmude, a little town in Belgium.
In recognition of his energy a sub
'cription was started at BOulogne 70
provide him with a new balloon, to be
called the Vile de Boulogne-sur Mer,
and it was with this that he effected
his ascent from Tuileries Gardens at
Boulogne at o'clock one Sunday
afternoon in the presence Of great
crowd Of spectators. The wind at
starting was exceedingly light, aud in
order not to overweight the balloon
the aeronaut had TO leave behind an
amateur who had arranged to accom-.
psny him. The wind carried the bal
loo IN northeasterly direction, bul
halt an hour alterward it was caught
by southeast currents and after float
ing awhile above the piers it took its
course over the straits at a height OF
1000 yards.
OVER THE SEA.
Wishing to be informed as TO the
land current, NJ. L'Hoste dropped
down to about one hundred and fifty
yards to question some fishermen
whose smacks were beneath him, and
also the tug Faidherbe, which had
followed him out of the harbor. Havs
ing obtained the necessary informa>
ton he threw out ballast, and, ascend
ing to 1900 yards, continued his
course, with a southwest wind, which
took him toward Cape Grisnez. At
half,past six the balloon dropped into
the lower current and kept on favor.
able course, with breeze that varied
from east TO southwest. At half. past
seven both sides Of the channel were
hidden by thick fog, but at eight
o'clock the moon rose and the aero
uaut could make out steamers on their
way north. He could also distinguish
lighss at Cape Grisnez and at Dover,
At nine o clock, believing himself to
he near the English coast, in order to
test the correctness Of his supposition
he hailed land loudly and heard the
echo Of his own voice, which proved
him right. The wind continued to
carry him landward, and his attention
was attracted to the lights off Folke-
stone. He was then at a height Of 300
metres At about ten o'clock NJ
L'Hoste saw tieEnglish coast beneath
him. he LETT behind him a little
town which he supposed to be Sand
gate, where he was hailed by several
persons. Later on he arranged for his
descent and fell into a large field, SO
that he had to discharge the gas alone.
II was then about eleven o'clock, and,
taking rapid glance around him and
finding that the spot was entirely deS
serted, he decided that he would sleep
beside his balloon and make the best
arrangements he could for passing the
night. Early on Monday morning he
went to the nearest farmhouse, at
village about twelve miles from Folke
stone. The farmer very obligingly Of.
Tered him the use Of vehicle to con,
vey the balloon to town, and travelling
with it he returned to Folkestone and
then proceeded by tidal boat to Bou
logne, where warm reception was
accorded him. 600.