Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-10-23
AYsrERY OF 4 NAME uAv.



VI Frederick Covers last balloon ascension
near Admiral s. r. Franklin, q. s. n, com.
manding the United States force in the
European station says: 81 had previously
several conversations with him on his method
OF using balloons in warfare, and on the 18th
OF July was invited to hear it explained in
detail and to witness the ascension bv which
ne hoped to demonstrate its prscticabilitv. I
reached the ground At 100 p. NJ. and there
met vice Admiral du Petit Thouars, prefes
maritime 1t Cherboure, and the Russian al.
mlrai commanding in chief in the Mediter-
ranean, whose flagship, the General Admiral.
was then in port. The large balloon, the
Vile d'Hyeres. was already inflated and was
heid down by 20 or more French sailors; the
small or pilot balloon was lying on the
GROUND ready for imitation. When the CON-
pany was assembled Mr.. Cover caused the
pilot balloon to be filled With gas, and *.
piained TO Us his method in clear and suceincr
terms. He said that after a careful study of
the upper currents of the atmosphere, be had
decided that the day was favorable tor an at
tempt to cross the channel, but that. should
he fail to reach the England, he thought
ne would strike the French coast sbou,
Dieppe. he then released the milo,
balloon, which went of we'll in the northe a.t-
triy direction till il reached a certain height,
when II seemed to change its course some.
what more to the eastward. As soon as the
pilot balloon WIS fairly on its way, Mr. Cow
er embarked 10 his car, and seeing carefully
that everything was secure and in good shape
he gave the word t. release the Vile
dHyeres, and followed the small balloon.
The Vile d'Hyeres did not 20 of a. we'll as
the other at the start; As it swept rapidly
away before the fresh breeze it barely cleared
the roofs Of the houses near at hand, and
Mr.. Cover began At once 70 throw out bal,
last. 1t then rose and followed generally the
movements of the pilot balloon
The basket was a small affair Of wicker
work, barely large enough to accommodate
one person. and apparently containing moth
ing but the ballast and an anchor. which lat.
ter article was dashed to the outside. Mr..
Cover carried a ANAL travelling bag. which
he fa.tened to the sings Of the basket above
his head. He seemed to be under the infiu.
ence Of excitement but was clearhe AIDED, and
although moving and working quickly, he did
so without the slightest uncertainty or con
fusion. The wind in the hsrb0r of Cherboura
ut the time of the ascent, was west by south
II remained Ut about the same time and
direction throughout the day and the fol
lowing night. and towards the next morning
the weather became thick and misty, with
drizzling rain"
When Mr.. Cover started it was late in. thu
day to make such an ascension, but he would
not lose such an opportunity afforded him BY
such an audience. About 2 o'clock French
pilot who was plotting the English vesse
GogOburn into Havre, spoke the balloon
which WAS then dozen miles west Of Bar
heur. The pilot says he was near enough tt
see the expression of Mr.. Covers face, AND
remembers his blonde head He called to hin
aud asked if he wished for anything. where
he came from, and where he was going. Tc
the last question the pilot declares Mr. Cover
responded in English, TOO long! too long
too long" repeated, what did he intend tC
say-"Too loeg-le plus Tongue prssible
was the pilots definition. but think it more
likely that wha: the pilot understood too long
must have been "to Londres." In a moment
the balloon was out of speaking distance anG
sailed on eastward, Mr.. Cover waving hi.
hand to the ship and shouting, ''bon voyage
And the Litter " hirh the papers said Mr.
Cover threw I" you tr"m the balloon"
asked. There VA. letter and that parl
OF the story Is pure fabrication
In few moments, 10 use the pilots ex
preston the captain OF the Hogoourn called
the pilot 10 look az me oai'oon ihat had faliel
into the sea Almost i,nmed,ateiv II ros'
again w,thout the car, IL nad ,a'ien aoou
four miles away from the "oVoourn' whici
wasa sailing vessel. Two m'ies near I'M
balloon was steamship on SOUTHEAST course
1t did not stop or change Its direction, con
sequentiyit could not have PICKED up Mr.
COVER. Inc nationality OF the steamer coui'
not bemade out. The pilotand captain Macgo'
declare on oath that It was impossible for TIT
GoRoonrn to heip Mr.. Gower' .as at tina
time there Was dead caim' when Seems
very strange as Admirai rrankiin makes tn
statement probably from the iog OF that oav
"Ihe vino IN the haroor al Cheroourg TN
time OF the ascent was west ana west oy south
and blowing from 10 10 ~ miles an nour. :!
remained at about the same Strength ana al
r'ction through the DAY. Inc nsrrahve
concluded oy the french sdm'rals dispatcl
to Admiral FRANKLIN: researches aionl
the coast OF my arronalssemem. nav