The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1891-07-17
DROPPED INTO THE OCEAN.

Two Ba1Ioonists Rescued From Death
by the Police Boat.
"Well, here 1 am, boys" said Professor
Allen, who made the balloon ascension from
the Common yesterday, as he walked into
the Herald office last night. IAN hour ago
l had no idea that you would ever see me
alive again."
Professor Allen. and John T. Fynes, who
accompanied him, had been literally
snatched from the jaws of death by the vigi-
lance of the harbor police.
When the balloon went up from the Com
mon it shot almost straight up to a fearful
altitude. Professor Allen estimates that
they went up nearly three miles. He thought
at first they would strike an inland course
but he soon realized that they were destined
to go out to sea. In few minutes they
were so far out as to be in Imminent danger
of losing sight of land.
Strip off your clothes, john" said the
professor, e're in for it now" At the
same time the daring aeronaut threw off his
coat, vest and shoes.
The gas was released from the balloon,
and down, down they went, with ever in
creasing velocity, until the basket struck
the water with tremendous force.
They were then off Marblehead Neck.
The sea was running high, ana the balloon
dragged the basket through the water at a
high rate of speed. There was not a sail in
sight. No human assistance was at hand to
rescue them from their awful plight.
1t would have been sure destruction 10
have emptied the balloon of the gas remain
ing in it. That would have collapsed and
sunk it, resulting in the death OF its pas
sengers.
There was nothing to do but to cling to
the wreck as long as human endurance
could remain, trusting that some provideu-
tal Intervention would compass their saliva
ton. The water in the basket was up 10
their waists, and its coldness was already
| beginning to chill them.
Death stared them in the face, aud yet
that was the last subject that either cared
! to breach.
Finally the professor asked: "Do you
think you were born to be drowned, j Ohm ?"
mo, SIR" came the emphatic anSv er. IL
think We'll get out of it, but l don't know
how"
Then they agreed to hold On until the last,
each beseeching the other to keep his cOur-
age up to the end.
Meanwhile the balloon plowed through
| the water, dashng the waves upon them
and the numb flesh began To remind them
| that they could maintain their hold on the
basket but short time longer.
Then speck appeared On the horizon be-
| hind them.
rs it a vessel?" inquired the professor.
His companion thought it was. The speck
| grew larger and larger until the outline of
al approaching vessel could be distin-
| guished. 1t was coming with great rapidity,
| and evidently to the rescue.
1t was the police boat Protector, Captain
| Byron T. Bragdon. He had seen tile balloon
| go out to sea, and quickly apprehended the
| danger. He gave orders TO start in hot pur-
suit, instructing the engineer to drive the
| boat for all she was worth. Commissioner
Lee, who was on board, seconded the
| motion, and away the Protector went on its
| life saving expedition.
| When the balloon descended it was, as has
| been said, off Marblehead Neck; when the
| Protector came up to il it was off Thatcher
| Island light. For miles it had dragged the
men through the angry waves, but their
| rescue had come at last Ropes were thrown
| from the Protector, and the rescued men
| were taken on board. Before Professor
Allen left the balloon he exploded her. Ii
| was taken on board the Protector and
| brought back to the city with the professor
| and his companion.
in telling the story of his experience and
rescue.
| 1t was his fifty-seventh balloon ascension,
| and while he had previously endured many
| vicissitudes and had been concerned in some
| daring exploits, this WIS the first time he
| had ever felt tHat the hand of death was
upon him.
He could not say too much In praise of the
action of Captain BragdOn and his men, and
| to them he freely confesses he is indebted
| for his life.
The police fitted the rescued men out with
| such clothing as they had at their command.
| The garments were not of the latest pat.
tern or of the neatest tit, but they fell
| grateful for them all the same, and were
mighty glad to De able to wear them.-Bos.
ton Herald