The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1889-04-09
THE BALLOON.
rrot. Melville Makes Fine Ascension
I'm the same old balloon.

rrof. Melville Makes Fine Ascension
In the same Old balloon.
Word was passed round Saturday that
Prof. Emil Melville, with the assistance
OF sailors from H.B.M.S. Cormorant, was
initiating his balloon, the one used in the
two previous attempts to fly skyward.
About hali-past o'clock in the after
noon everybody rushed out at the inti-
nation that the balloon was up. sure
enough, there it was, sailing gracefully
over the town, at an elevation OF two or
three thousand feet. People were dis
putting whether or not there was man
to it, but a glance showed something
bigger than trapeze bar, and q little
steady gazing was rewarded by the
vision OF q streak OF red, the aeronauts
athletic costume. The form OF the man
was deserted, also, going through move
ments on the bar, which made the bal
loon sag and sway at intervals. At a
point nearly over Palace Square the bal
loon was noticed 70 be descending,
which caused the rush OF hundreds TO
the water front 70 see the finish OF the
aerial voyage. Very few except persons
near there already were in time, al
though at its height the balloon did not
seem 70 be travelling so very rapidly.
The aeronaut let 90 when near the
surface OF the water, dropping in about
four or five feet depth on the reef inside
the breakers off kakaako. His balloon
in few seconds took the water, having
careeued on its side under i gust OF
wind. Mr.. W. II. Hogs having hailed
boat, invited the ADVERTISER reporter
and Mr. f. Godfrey aboard, and this
party soon came up with Prof. Melville,
who was on fishing barge, and the
boat was then headed for the balloon,
that was drifting rapidly TO sea. A
steam launch with several officers and
men from the Cormorant, however, was
the first 20 reach the object, and taking
it in tow met the row boat party near
the barrel buoy. As the Cormorant
party had not time TO tow the balloon all
the way to port, they hitched it to the
buoy. Captain Larsen, with another
policeman, next arrived in 4 whaleboat,
followed by two Skitfs manned by young
lads. 4 portion OF the balloon was
slowed in the whaleboat, the other three
boats were ranged in towing order ahead,
and the fotilla started iOr pull OF
mile and quarter % port. On the way
Captain Larsen kept slowing the balloon,
and had it nearly all aboard when the
procession halted on the Kaka4ko reef
by the Myrtle Boat Club house.
The imitation OF the balloon only occu-
pied half an hour, and it took leap and
nearly got away few seconds before
Melville gave the word to let go. The
aeronaut went up hanging by his toes.
He did not take the parachute, desiring
to test the lifting capacity OF the balloon
before attempting the grand act, the
'leap from the clouds" When at the
greatest altitude he could see over the
mountains all round the island, and de-
scribes the panorama as magnificent.
Ialace Square looked TO him no bigger
than the palms OF his hands. The Pro
lessor is determined TO do the perform
ance with the parachute at the earliest
opportunity. He wishes 10 thank Captain
Larsen and the Cormorant men, with
others, for assistance rendered on Satur-
day.