New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-07-05
TWO AER0NA UTS LOSE THEIR LIVES
THE BALLOON IN WHICH TEUY HAD MADE AN
ASCENSION FROM BOSTON COMMON coli
JAp.FD WHEN OVER THE UARBOE.

LAP:ED WHEN OVER THE HARBoR.
Boston, July 4-Thc balloon ascension from tho
Common this afternoon. OF the features In the
celebration OF the Fourth prepared by the citv gov
eminent, had sad ending. the aeronaut, PROBES
sOr Augustus Rogers. Of Maiden. Me. meeting lis
death almost INSTANTLY his assistant Thomas Fenton.
dying later; aud the third occupant OF the balloon
being now in the hospital suffering from the shocK
and from Inhalation OF gas soon after O'Clock
Professor Rogers. his assistant. and Deos f. Gold
smith, representative OF the CITY Press Association.
stepped into The huge airshp Governor Russell and
began the ascent amid the cheers Of the vast crowd
The balloon only few hundred feet, then sailed
away TO the south, and when south Boston
TO considerably higher altitude continuing Its
Journey directly out to sea. When about five miles
down the habor. and off Thompson's Island. Profcs-
Rogers attempted to open the vavc and attempt a
landing on the Island, but in his efforts he made a
rent in the side of the balloon.
The immense bag began to descend at terrible
rate and as it struck the water 1t seemed to collapse
entirely. Rogers sank at once and his BODY has
not yet been recovered. Fenton and Goldsmith
struggled manfuly and succeeded in catching hold OF
the basket. Their predicament was seen by some
aborers Thompsons Island, who Immediately put
to the spot In rowboat and managed to drag the
two men into their boat. Both were In a greatly
exhausted condition. by this timc the tug Nathaniel
p Doane which had been in use bv the Judges Of the
harbor TO the rescue. the two men being trans
ferrcd thereto to be brought to this city Fenton
died before the tug reached Boston. Goldsmith Will
recover. ~ ~, $780,.
Goldsmith tells the following story: We mad very
good ascension and were going along finely. en-
oyed II frst-rate. We sailed from the Common out
toward Dorchester, and then the wind TOOK us ana
We began to ont toward tie larbor Rogers was
afraid OF being blown out to We had Only Decil
in the air about fifteen minutes when he said we
must descend, and he gave 1ard yank on the cora
which opens the valve at the top of the balloon 70
let the gas out But the valve would not work:
Then Mr.. Rogers pulled the cord which Is arranged
to burst the balloon at the bottom, Just below the DuD
lie accomplished this and rent was MADE IN tne
side Of the balloon. The gas escaped ana we began
10 90 down. Professor Rogers calculated 10 strlke
Thompson Island. and he would have Just about ac-
cOmplsbed il If IL had not been that all OF sudden
the valve at the top opened. The air rushed IN at
the bottom and the whole volume OF gas, having two
outlets. went ont with a rush. collapsng the balloon
Professor Rogers said 10 us Now, look out We arr
going to strike Instead Of floating the basket sank
right down and the water began to come In over
the top while the balloon Itself shut down OH
top of us. Then all scrambled out. think l
went down about ten feet. When | rose 10 the
surface Professor Rogers up too. close by me,
and we struck out together. ! found myself getting
tired and raised my 10 signify that was
growing weaker. Rogers disappeared and was saVeo
The other got entanGled In the balloon hettng'