The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-08-02
AERIAL NAVIGATION.
LHoste's Successful Experiments with the
Balloon Torpilleur.

LHoste's successful Experiments with the
Balloon Torpilleur
NJ. LHcste the famous Freach aeronaut, has
been all day the lion of the hour, more than Sal
isbury. He and NJ Joseph Mangot young as
tronorner of Paris, have made from Cherbourg
to Tottenham. a suburb of northern London,
near the Alexandra Palace, the most successful
balloon voyage ever made, and of q character
often predicted, but never before realized. The
aeronaut had determined that he could con-
struct balloon which could be directed near the
point of intended arrival, or be utilized to drop
torpedoes His balloon, in view of the latter
idea, was named the 'Torpilleur." 1t was fitted
with gear of L'Hoste's invention. Both voy-
ayers wore the uniform of the French navy,
blue. braided with gold, and the tricolor over
hung the basket Having made the customary
preparations for imitation and ballasting. they
left Cherbourg in the midst Of the shouts of a
vast concourse about sunset Little apprehen-
sion was felt there because of the confidence in
LHoste, who is Secretery of rAcademic Dacros-
tation Meteorologique de France and who had
once before crossed the channel in his balloon.
The substance of his story was thus told by him,
on being interviewed:
II intended and hoped to arrive at Finsbury
square, at the top of the street running north
i
however. about five miles north of it, my gear
working pretty well, in about twelve hours
journey, coming northeastward in a pretty
straight line course. My main object was, how
ever, not so much an experiment TO prove power
or accuracy in steering as to prove the possibil-
ty to maintain an equal altitude above the waves
in crossing the channel, or any ocean, and par
ticularly to test the possibility of keeping in d-
rect view vessels over which to drop torpedoes.
My rig for preserving my altitude, which tried
m All ar ortv nh
feet was f1atteur or coaxer pipe, by which, on
reaching the waves we could draw up water
to be used for ballast, counteracting the con-
dsR~asiou or rarefaction of gas which so often
fatteur effect making the balloon.
as it were, captive. modified by small SAIL
Altogether it worked excelently until the Isle of
Wight was reached. when the balloon shot up,
but 1t was used again in the Solent and at this
point and near the Isle of Wight, we successful
ly dropped tiny torpedoes over the small craft
thereabout Please remember that land ballast
once over is gone but water ballast is within
control.
81 cannot claim success in steering. for cur
rents were favorable to the point of destination.
/ sailed over st. Paul's dome wanting to drop in
the artillery ground, not far off, near Finsbury,
from where made my ascension when celebrat-
ing the centenary of the first balloon voyage,
but was compelled to continue few miles north
ward. This water ballast was first suggested by
the celebrated Cover"
The balloon came down quietly about $50
o'clock In the morning, at point In the marshes
a few hundred yards distant from Tottenham
station, on the Great Eastern railway. A rush
was made toward it, some bathers not waiting
to dress themselves. AS they were running up
the banks Of the river Lea the car dropped into
what is known as the "Black Ditch" and if it
had remained there the aeronauts would have
found themselves in a place far from comforta-
bic. Ballast was thrown out and the balloon
rose, but not many feet Gas was let out, and
hotl - ANrxSv@ rfrl.k
of wind however, it was carried toward the
river, and more sand-bags were emptied. Once
more the balloon rose, and nearly came in contact
with the telegraph wires on poles by the side of
the river, and which were escaped by rapid
discharge of sand. The next attempt to descend
was perfectly successful, the car alighting on a
piece of marsh perfectly free from any obstruc
tion. Coincidently enough, in the immediate
vicinity lived Mr. Coxwell, a member of the
Balloon Society, who made the aeronauts his
guests, with better breakfast ballast than
water or sand.
The afternoon Paris papers, this instant re-
ceived, make much Of this success, and take
warlike as well as scientific views of it The
Gaulois says:
''The voyage which has been so happily ac-
complshed is certain to make great noise in
the scientific world. NJ L'Hoste had with him
miniature torpedoes, which he dropped success
which the balloon passed in approach
ing the shore. One can easily divine
what impression will be produced in England
by this novel experience Its success and the
nature of the results possible has something
about it calculated to be disquieting What
security will there be for their island if it be
thus reached by way of the airl They know, to
be sure, that an army can never be transported
to England in balloons, but the fact that their
island is no longer inaccessible constitutes for
the English veritable danger. 1t is demon
strated that their ports are no longer secure
from attack. If the torpedoes of M. LHoste
and Mangot had not been harmless ones the
effect they would have produced is incalculable.
From the day when their forts be destroyed
from above, how will these islanders protect
serious question will hardly fail to be discussed
in England, where they are so sensitive concern
ing the defense of their coasts"