Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1883-08-02
"A NOVEL BALLOON.
Interesting Ascent of Two
French Aeronauts From
' La 9sSsette.
Cable to the Nav York Herald.

the northeast quarter Of Paris. L
was made under the auspices Of tbs
Societe Frsncaise de Navigation
Aerienne. The balloon is one Of the
largest ever used. It is the prOperty
Of Comte de Dion and NJ. Rembielin-
sky. With these two enterprisiue
gentlemen in the car we're M. Fran.
Ghetto and NJ. Du Sauvel, meteorolo,
gists, all four being scientific amatedrs
devoted to the science Of aerostration.
The capacity of the balloon is 1000
cubic metres and its weight 800 kilo
grammes, the car weighing 40 kilo-
grammes. The balloon and its equip
ment presented several novel features
of great interest aud value to the
study Of aerial navigation. The prin-
cipal of these is the invention OF the
Comte de Dion himself.
THE BALLOON
The balloon, winch has just Quilted
the earth at La Villette. is a double
balloon, SO to speak. Over the ordi-
nary oiled silk, of which the balloon
proper is made, is a covering of white
calico which extends over its upper
half. From this outer covering long
funnel of oiled silk extends downward
aud connects with ventilating
machine attached to the outside ii
the car, which, by turning crank,
seuds blast of cold air out of the
funnel and underneath the outer layer.
The object of this is to place layer
of cold air between the two coverings,
which shall preserve the gas in the
balloon from being unduly influenced
by the rays of the sun. 1t was found
shortly before the balloon was ready to
rise that the funnel was too short by
two or three yards, and the Count was
fortunate to enlist the services of two
or three ladies, whose needles and
nimble fingers soon spliced on an ad-
ditional length Of funnel.
THE CAR AND ANCHOR.
Another novelty was the method Of
attaching the car to the balloon, the
cords being arranged. IN a scientific
system of trianRulation, enabling the
weight of the car to be equally dis
tributed around its circumference and
keeping it in a perfectly horizontal
position in spite of any shifting of
weight within it. In nautical par.
lance, the car would always be trim
med. The anchor itself was another
novelty, consisting of a number of for
midable looking fukes so arranged
that they could not fail to hold or at
least catch in any obstacle which they
might meet. 1t was attached to a
powerful hawser which itself weighed
l20 kilogrammes. The anchor looks
as if, with the vast balloon exertiug
its power above it, it could uproot a
forest or unroof house with ease,
and as matter OF fact the engineer
and meteorological, NJ. Du Sauvel, in
formed me that the anchor and cable
could resist a wind blowing with an
suergy OF twenty FIVE meters second,
THE EQUIPMENTS.
The car is of extremely neat basket
work, ligE.-gc. strong. 1t is comfort.
ably lined with padded gray American
cloth. with cane seats. Over the
lockers at each end it is oblong, and
there was ample room in it for the
four @ronauts, their scientific instru
ments, laid out on wicker table, and
for the hampers Of provisions with
which the travellers were to make good
cheer between earth and heaven. Two
prize carrier pigeons completed the
living freight OF the car. They will
be released to bear to earth news OF
the voyage.
THE INSTRUMENTS.
The scientific instrument are of the
finest quality and comprise hygro
meter for the measurement Of the
moisture or dryness of the atmosphere,
a psychrometer for measuring the ten
sion of aqueobs vapor, an aneroid
barometer aud an extremely sensitive
metallic thermometer. The scientific
equipment Of the balloon was
completed by some beautiful
little electric lights, with
their complement Of charged bat,
terles, among them being tiny cleo.
trio bulls eye lantern, the rays Of
which could be directed up on the
balloon and search out any weak spot
which might require attention. |
must not forget the silver plated
speaking trumpet through which in
due time stentorian voice will an
nOunce to terrified peasants or a
startled sea captain the presence of
heaven descended visitors.
INITIATING THE BALLOON.
The hour Of ascension was fixed for
half past six O'clock, but it was fully
three hours after that the great, wrig
Cling, serpent like tube of oiIskin.
which had its tail 10 the gssometer
and its mouth il the aperture of the
balloon, breathed its last gaseous sigh
and collapsed. The operation Of in
hatiOn was watched with the greatest
interest by few friends of the aero
nauts and small crowd of spectators
mainly composed of the gas works
and their familieg. Outside the
gates and perched on the walls were
some scores Of Yillettians, gazing at
the busy scene within.
ADJUSTING THE CAR.
Gradually, as the darkness hogan IN
set in, the vast PROSTATE form Of the
balloon began to rise from the ground
and assume a familiar shape as the
painting tube filed it with gas Soon
word yag given 70 Noye the car to It's
place beneath the balloon. twenty
sturdy fellows carried it of. A quick
witted little boy, who had been intent.
ly watching the operation, exclaimed:
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