Morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven [Conn.]) 1848-1894, 1889-07-22
THE MISSING AIR SHIP,

Views OF an Experienced Balloonist-
Hogan,s Fate - Some Interesting
"Reminiscences.
The missing air ship that assembled in
Williamsburg on the 10th inst. has drawn
out 30 much discussion that last evening a
representative of the COURIER interviewed
Mr.. D. S. Thomas with the view of getting
his opinion as to the safety or loss of the ves-
sci. Said Mr.. Thomas, who has himself
made thirty-four ascensions: SIT is possible
the air ship may be heard of again, but
fear not. As balloonist Prof. Hogan was
man of ordinary prudence, but, like ether
converts to the theory of air navigation as a
practicable means of air travel, he may have
various reports announcing the balloon being
| seen in different parts of the country, I
| think the statement from the pilot boat
Caprice the most probable. The pilot says
| that on the afternoon of the 10th he sighted
| the balloon dragging along on the surface of
| the water in lat. $3.50, long. n. 40, which
would bring 1t almost due east from Sandy
Hook, distant about one hundred miles. He
gave chase and when distant about three
| quarters of q mile the balloon collapsed and
| disappeared. The pilot then abandoned the
chase. If his statement is correct he de-
| serves the severest censure. Assuming that
1 It was correct, and that the disabled balloon
was running rapidly before the wind, 1t
| would be the most natural thing in the world
| for the professor to collapse it himself in
| order to check Its speed and permit the sail
1 ing vessel to reach him. 1t is not likely the
perienced eronaut like Prof. Hogan would,
| before settling down in the water, throw out
| not only all Of his ballast, but he would cut
| away his anchor, drag-rope and everything
of any weight in order to tighten
his canvas and keep it afoat. Re-
lieved of all superfuous weight, the
balloon itself, which was doubtless made OF
Lonsdale cambria and thoroughly saturated
L with oil, would keep afoat long time. As
Stunning that he was alive and well, the pro-
fessor was at that very moment calmly float
ing upon the surface patiently waiting for
tho pilot boat he could see coming to his res
cue. If the statement of the pilot Is to be
believed he certainly showed lack of ordi-
nary humanity in abandoning the pursuit
when no saw the balloon collapse. A little
more perseverance might have saved human
| life in this case, as 1t would have done
in Lake Michigan in July, 1875, when
the captain of tug discovered Prof. Donald
son in similar trouble. Again on July 1S
1884, a large steamer coming out of the Brit
| l6n cnannel pounu 6Outn Slgnteu u olshOIeo
balloon four miles distant, but did not ever
slack her speed to render assistance. The
mronaut was Frederick A. Cover, years age
resident of New Haven. He had made hi
ascension from Cherbourg at O'Clock thai
day, in vain attempt to cross the channel
A humane captain, by slightly changing hit
course, would have saved him.
Even had Prof. Hogan's balloon bsen seer
from Providence, as reported, a counter cur
rent may have carried it rapidly to the south
ward. Along the Atlantic coast there Il
usually at this season of the year a surface
current or inland breeze from the southwark
This is especially true on food tide. Al
the same time there is often higher strsts
in the opposite direction. From the Greer
here in New Haven in 1875 surface current
carried me toward North Haven. At an at
titude of 5000 feet struck a current
that took me directly back over the city
and carried my balloon out over the Sound
Descending to the surface without injury, il
was quite an easy matter, by the aid of this
surface current, to sail back again over the
city and visit North Haven for the second
time. 1t Is mot improbable that the bal
loon was seen from Providence as reported
and that one of these upper currents carried
1t rapidly to the southwark, where 1t was
| again seen off the Jersey coast"