The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-08-07
ABOVE THE CLOUDS.
Interesting Narrative of Balloon voyage
Seventeen Thousand Feet Above
the Earth.
Cable Special to New York Herald.


The balloon. 1.-The Colonel" which as
Cended at Maldon, Essex, arrived at Flush
ing on Wednesday night. The aeronauts
were Sir Claude de Crespigny and Mr. Joseph
Simmons The latter gives the following ac-
count of his voyage:
Before the start from Maldon several pilot
balloons were launched, ia order to ascertain
the direction we were likely to take. The
pilots indicated several currents at low al
titude but as at the moment of starting the
wind gave good deal of trouble, we found II
necessary to leave the ground with great as
bending power Every attempt made TO ntll-
ize the currents would have been at the ex-
pense of gas or ballast. We had desire to
cross the German ocean, therefore every
ounce of ballast and every foot of gas had to
be cautiously used There was not much
time to enjoy the glorious panorama ere we
found it necessary promptly to discuss the
propriety of attempting to reach Holland or
Belgium. Fortunately the atmosphere over
England was clear. The start was made at
IL O'clock. We kept nearly over the middle
of the Blackwater
At 1:20 we are over Bradwel.
At 130 o'clock we are just passing the
shores of Essex. Taking our bearings, we
found we were going straight toward Rotter-
dam, and if the wind continued would prob
ably reach Holland before dark. The bot
tom of the sea was clearly seen in every
direction Every channel and shoal was
easily marked. They formed a curious net
work. We could see two men near Harwich
very distinctly. Six steamers beneath us
appeared almost in collision. The bell on
the buoy east of the Blackwater was con-
tinually ringing. The sound was very clear
to us.
We are at an altitude of 5000 feet. The
aightship east OF Blackwater is about the size
of flea, but very distinct. Although the
bell is constantly ringing we can now and
again hear shouts from the decks OF the
steamers. We throw out sheets of paper and
find we are making still trifle southeast
ward. Our safety and the attainment OF our
object depend upon being able to continue
this course.
At 2:30 P. NJ. we have not yet spent an
ounce OF ballast or touched any valve. Our
altitude st this moment is 10000 feet Our
feet are cold. We appear to be overhauling
mist to the southeast
At 2:55 we are enshrouded in mist. We
can see nothing but ourselves and the bal
loon.
A few minutes later we have a magnif-
cent picture of the balloon on a cloud. We
can see our vs-a-vis doing everything exact
ly as we do even our fingers hauling the
ropes and graphing the cable which have
let out, distinctly reproduced. l call Sir
Claude's attention to this apparent mira ge.
He cannot see it where he is sitting, but on
coming to my side he sees the rope as dis
tinctly as I do Ny blue serge silk looks
now quite green and continues so for many
minutes. The atmosphere is very deep
blue above u.s. The gas in the balloon is
perfectly clear and the great dome has a very
solid and assuring appearance Everything
is in perfect tranquility | can hear the
beating of our hearts very distinctly. Our
ears are occasionally blocked. but we remedy
this by widely opening the mouth.
At 4:30 we think there is a slight sound as
,1. 1.,-., a Inc
440 we emerge on the under side OF the
clouds, and can see something looking like
coast-line to the southeast. We are still on
the same course we started with.
At $50 we have approached near enough
to find our imaginary coast-line long sweep
of shoal but this encourages us to think that
we have passed mid-ocean. Another long
line of shoal now appears as if by magic. We
are in full view of six steamers. As we sup
pose, these are all coming from the east. On
nearer approach we see they are sailing
vessels. They appear to expect that we shall
require their services, for they are lacking
and lodging u.s.
At 510 two steamers are distinctly visible
both going westward.
At ten minutes to Sir Claude cries;
Look there? Is that another shoal?' We
discuss the matter with much interest Sir
Claude cannot believe it anything but the
mainland. I soon begin to think the same,
but it continues for long time very indis-
tnct and as | look very fXedly at it for
some minutes it appears to alter its shape,
and conclude it can be nothing but
strack of cloud. Instead of increasing in
dlstinctness this long sweep now grows a
little more dim. At the same time we have
other indications which make us think we
have changed our course. Sir Claude says
two or three times that he does not despair
now of the streak turning out to be land.
His distant vision was more distinct than
mine.
At ten minutes past we are both perfectly
satisfied. We are in view of the coast to the
east The sun peeps between the clouds, and
under the influence of his rays the balloon
instantly shot upward with fearful rapidity.
Sir Claude said, do you not smell gas escap-
ing?n But did not. Had it not been for
this safeguard of his the consequences might
have been serious. In a few seconds we were
over vast area of what looked like noun
tains of snow, solid enough to walk on. The
grandeur of this scene it would be utter folly
for me to attempt to describe. Not the slight
est movement could be detected in any part
of this vast cloudland Every mountain peak
seemed to stand there fixed forever. The
temptation was too great TO go down
and leave this grandeur until greater
temptation came-the positive sound of tine
surf Immediately beneath. We now opened
valve and rushed downward with great
rapidity. A few seconds sufficient to
bring us down from our highest position
1900 feet-low enough to have spread be-
fore our delighted vision the beach OF
Walcheren Island, on the north side of the
Schedt river, and the mainland of Holland
shutting us in to the south.
We had already passed the mouth of the
Scheldt. / considered we were now safe
enough, and sketched Walcheren while flash
ing just beneath us. People were now hailing
Justify from all points. The balloon brought
down splendidly at Flushing the graphing
iron taking firm grip in a ditch surroundings
wheat field. The ditch acted as a fence round
the balloon to keep off the great crush.
When we had emptied and packed the bal
loon we went through the streets, which
were thronged with people all the way to the
Hotel Wellington where we were entertain ed