The Palatka daily news. (Palatka, Fla.) 1884-1888, 1885-08-02
|. REMARKABLE BALLOON VOYAGE.
Its Centenary Celebrated in Franee--An
Exciting Experience.
fSt. James Gazette

ISt. James Gazette
There is at present being commemorated
at Guines a remarkable balloon VOYAGE of Z.
century ago, when two aeronauts, BIanch-
ard q Frenchman, and DR.. Jeffries, an
American, descended in the midst of the
neighboring forest, after having been borne
across tie Straits of Dover. Toward the end
of 1884 it was the desire of French balloonists
to achieve the first passage from England
to France. Blanchard betook himself to
the English coast, where his plans were
warmly entertained. While there he met
Lunardi and DR.. Jeffries. physician and
a native of Boston, United States. They
proceeded to Dover, and awaited favora
bic breeze. A start was at last effected
from the castle amid the firing of artillery
Blanchard did his utmost 70 get away alone
but Jefrries held firmly TO the agreement,
which had been signed and sealed By this
agreement JeffrIes pro 'ided all the funds
requisite for insuTing the ascent cOntem-
plated, secured in consdarati ton of these a
seat in the car, and bouni himself, on his
word of honor as gentleman and ali ofIi-
Ger, to jump out of the the moment his
further presence and weight should jeopar-
dize the success of tn. expedition and i'm
peril Blanchard's life.
Shortly after p. m. the balloon rose AMI
drifted seward amid 5he enthusiasm of the
inhabitants and to the dismay OF Mrs. JEFF
fries and her children The poor woman
had in vain tried to &etain her husband,
who, moreover, had been advised in q letter
from the prince of Wales not to attempt the
crossing. The travellers soon found them
selves drifting toward the Goodwin sands.
They found when in mid-channel that the
balloon, the total weight of which, including
the aeronauts, ballast, and accOutrements,
had been at the start So pounds, was grad
rally settling into lower currents The sand
bags were emptied till at last every thing
available had been cast from tho car oven
the rudder and sails. The advantage gained
was mOmentary one. The question what
should be dispensed with next must have
caused Jeffries to shudder a respite was
granted by TIE election Of the anchor aui
provisions; and. as a final effort of such
garments as were not abzolutsiy necessary.
The last sacrifice caused quick ascent, and
brought the balloon to the n9ighborhooI u
Guines, and over the forest
The loss of the anchor made the men de
sirQus of landing without delay; SO they
managed to grapple some Of the upperl>.oSt
branches, and lowered themselves into the
dense wood. The descent. not an easy one
took place q little over two hours after the
start, when Blanchard and JciIrieS once
more on terra firma, hung on each others
necks They were conveyed to GuineS and
then to Calais in great triumph. Every
Ho.ioi, even the freedom OF nc city, was
conferred ON the FrenchmGn, and the two
travellers were thoncafOrwarI considered
heroes. Tho king of France bads the men
of the hour repair to his court Blanchard
was greatly admired for his feat insOmuch
that in every gathering he was kissed by
all the ladies of the company. Hs was ma
terially rewarded by his ma esty, who made
him yearly grant. The latter portion OF
career wa passed in New York
Germany, Holland, and other states, where
he made many ascents.