The morning call., 1893-12-27
BALLOON VS.. SCHOONER.
A.Race in Which the Aeronaut was
Supposed TO Have Been Lost.
Chicago Herald


Captain Eiermann, who made an ascension
from Milwaukee in a balloon Sunday, arrived
ST lgnace on the schooner Ellen Williams,
which had just come down the lake light for
cedar posts. Hermann was picked up by the
Williams Sunday hight, as near as the Captain
could locate the spot, about twenty-five miles
northeast of Milwaukee.
Tie balloon was sighted just ahead of the
schooner by the lockout, who gave the alarm.
The balloon at that time was driving along on
. thetop OF the waves, with the car every once in
a while catching in the heavy sea that was run
ming The schO0ner's course was shifted and
chase given to the air ship. For lime the lat
ter'kept away, but each time The basket caught
iii the waves the balloon would be brought IN
standing Tor minute, and then the schooner
would gain.
Ii This way the chase continued for nearly
half an hour. When the schooner came near
the balloon Elermaun was discovered floating
IN :lhe water. The Williams mad passed him
when lie Was first discovered, but she was put
about at once, and after considerable trouble
Eiermaln was pulled on board more dead than
alive. lie WAS soon revived, however, and in
a-few minutes was able 10 tell his rescuers
who he was aud where he came FROM In the
- excitement OF reScuing Eie:mann the crew of
the Williams did not notice what became of the
balloon, which IS supposed to have become
dlsentangled from The car and 1oated OF down
. tie lake.
Captain Elerman said that after the balloon
e.sDot up from SchlitZ Park he caught a cur
= suI. of air from the northwest which carried
ljm out over the lake and to the southward
IiQplng TO get an fnshore current he threw ont
Ia .tSt 10 the last bag. but this Gid not tighten
lie hflloon. which was flled with a poor quality
OF gaa mat dlQ not give Ii the usual buoyancy
. Alter as hodr The balloon began TO settle and
present Ncaught the southwest breeze and was
-rhen hurled along down the lake Ii sank
lowe! ana lower until it became apparent TO
Il el ilah mat sit was only matter of short
t.De ~ len ne would be In the lake. He put on
.ft.e cork lie preserVer which he lad in the
lssaSt aud prepared to make as hard a fight as
FL .>stGle Tor his life. AT length a wave higher
..:rytly usual dashed uD into the basket wefting
I'm thrQugh and causing the airsbip 10 drag
%eW minutes after The basket was dragging
. zen ne tops OF tbs waves whlek would dash in
[a2d al IT. To escape as far as possible the
'.5r0naut climbed into the netting, where he
c urg for life for nearly an hour. AT times
y. hen the basket caught In the waves the shock
would neatly threw him from his perch, Then
Ihe% balloon would rise few feet and sweep
*aloIEg Gniii the basket caught again with Jerk
crhat.t lEeateBed to tear everything loose
: i Ter gAalJn was gradually losing strength and
: AT asst the contact of bigger wave than usual
threw l2lIn'fnto rhe water. The life preserver
kept him aHoar. but lie was Succumbing to the
chill of:tAe waves when lie caught sight OF the
SGh0eler. h cried out about the same time
he: was. discdNefed by tile crew. II seemed
:. OURS fiefore The schooner could be put about
:: d aasfGach bIm, but he kept up, although about
.eXl:Gus Led when he was hauled out of the
Hat.er: and lifted on deck by the rough, but
= Manifestations: