Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1885-09-03
For the Ellsworth American.
Frederic A. Cover.

few additional particulars concerning the
last aerial voyage OF this gentleman. win be
interesting to the readers of the AMERICAN.
coming from an authoritative source.
The same afternoon he made the ascent from
Cherbourg, he descended over sailing vessel
in the channel, sufficiently near to hold con-
versation with the pilot. asking him to take a
letter TO his friends, which he dropped from
the balloon. Unfortunately the wind carried
ii of, beyond reach Of the vessel and ii was
lost That night, there were many large and
small crafts In the channel. strengthening his
possible chances OF being picked up by an out
ward bound vessel.
His balloon wa. constructed by himself.
provided with a raft in addition to the car. and
provisioned for emergencies II WAS found 30
miles OF Dieppe, the ropes smoothly cut-aiso,
pilot balloon WAS found. that he had pre-
yiou,ly despatched. slender a. is the ray Of
hope, it Is seized by his friends. until more
light-if eyer-is given them.
As Mr.. Cover was born In sedgwick, Me-.
il may not be out OF place to submit few
facts concerning his unprecedented career, for
one OF his age, as an inventor, scientist, and
philanthropist. II was not, as has been incor-
rectly stated, his aspiration TO magnify him
self. in hoping TO discover IL means Of warfare
that should be accepted by hostile nations.
II was TO dRnihildte war. making the bar
Larity too terrible for civilized nations to in
duge in, and peaccablc means would Of neces-
>ity be employed.
Again and again he stated that If his expert
ment, in aerial torpedoc-. war balloons. etc.
proved successful, his own lfe'> ~acri-
fee would be freely given. that humanity
might be benefited. that christianity might
alvance. Nor did he ever expect 10 make
millions ont OF II. from the fact that he r.
tired from the telephone business satisfied with
a small part Of what he might have accumulate
ed, had he followed il mp. That Others are
maxim. similar experiments upon Mr.. Covers
theories, i evidence that hi work may live
and his genius find development, even If hc
ha> persisted
An intimate a>,ocistr writing 10 the New
Haven Register say. Of Mr.. Frederic \.
Cover: IN la, been denied that there are
any ',elf-madc men In the world. but hi
case certainly come, a. near it Il, any. The
death Of hi, father, when ihis Ion Wa siN
wears old. left a widowed mother and three ILL.,
tie bows 10 struggle it'll the word,wlih no r.
sources but health and endurance. That hc
was able in after year- 70 repay all obligations
for even small favor>. With gr'a, hheral'tN.
wa> 10 him one al the zr,atcsi pleasures, The
declining wears 81 one ~ hi earliest teachers
and beuefactor- are chocrc,i 10y hi generous
brncfacjion>, in return for kindnc-- received
when h. was very Young"
A,a scientist, Mr.. Cover wa- recognized
in England. being member - the Royal In
,iituiion Of Great Britain, au honor conferred
upon few Americans member II several
other noted .,lcutih, organizations.
The London TINE, published a lengthy mo-
tic, Of Mr. Cover. from which an extract i
given below
Mr.. Frederic y G"N,r. la',it carried On q
series % experiments. With Wow fo testing
Ia, adayish.;y 81 balloon, 10 War pun "~',.
Mr.. COVER. ~ ho j, well knowuio tn" -cicu;.nr
world q. a Joint laicni.-c Of the fsuou. COVER
4 R.il telephone. had male Hythr the centre
~ Ai, operations ami thence mair several
a>c.ut- Iii. final Undertaking in lhi- country,
Wa "a -uc-,--ful aerial ,uya-r arru,, the
channel carly IN June. H. continued H. TRIAL
trip IN Frame, and on the 18th - JulH made
an A>c,ut from thcrbpur-. aul since ihaj daf',
nothing definitely i known 81 hi, whore
ahoul-, aud the -r!Nc-t far, ar entertained
that BE- j. drowned.
Il wa. Nj. Towers iutarabl, prayiirc. Al
once To notify. by wire. hi. safety 81 either