The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1893-02-10
CARRIAGES DRAWN BY KITES.
s'ahrenheit's Voyage in a Basket Made at
a Mile in $50.

Fahrenheit's Voyage in a Basket Made at
Mile in $50.
About forty years ago mania set in
among aeronauts, who believed that car
iages drawn by kites would supersede
railways to considerable extent.
Among those who followed this fascina-
ting study, says AnSpers, was DR.. Po-
cock, an uncle of W. G.. Grace, the
champion cricketer of England.
DR.. Pocock made many journeys
from Bristol to London in little car
riAge drawn by a couple of large kites
living quarter of a mile or so in the
air, and he often attained a speed of
fullv twenty miles an hour. 1t was
thought, too, that kites would SUPER
sede sails for ship, and, in fact, for
some time scientific England went kite
mad.
In order to thoroughly understand
the action of these gigantic kites (some
of them were as large as ships main
saiD certain intrepid John Fahrenheit
no relation to the famous chemist of
That name-made several voyages in a
basket, an ordinary wickerwork affair,
such as is used by laundresses, tied to o
kite.
On one occasion the kite was started
at Romford, in Essex. 1t was attached
to pony chaise, which was so con-
structed as to be easily steered by means
of handles, such as those on ld-fash-
ioned tricycles. In the chaise sat two
men, one a brother of the kite traveller,
the other q gentleman who spent a
considerable fortune in experiments Of
this description.
The party waited until suitable day
came and at length they arose one morn
ing at o'clock with the pleasing in
telligence that half gale was blowing
from the west. Everything had been
in readiness for some time, and after a
nasty breakfast, the kite was unrolled,
stretched on its gigantic bamboo frame
and held in the roadway by couple of
laborers
Fahrenheit seated himsel in the bas-
ket. The three stout lines with which
the kite was held and controlled were
carefully examined, and after consider
able maneuvring the enormous spread
OF canvas was waited upward, with its
human cargo seated calmly and non-
chalantly in the basket.
For time it looked as though the
kite would not ascend properly, and
the lines frequently hung slack, but at
$50 the wind had increased to such an
extent that it was thought expedient to
''pay out more line, and the three
travellers seated themselves in the chaise,
which began to move along the main
road at a brisk pace. Once in motion
the speed increased, and the difficulty
OF steering the chaise and looking after
the guide ropes was so great that it was
thought expedient to bring the expert
ment to hasty conclusion.
This, however, was easier said than
done. AS they passed milestone they
determined to time their speed, and
found to their surprise that they had
covered mile in $50.
Three miles out of Chelmsford rain
began to fall in torrents and violent
tugs were felt at the guide ropes. 1t
had been previously arranged that they
should form the signal for an immedi-
ate descent, and, taking advantage of q
somewhat steep incline, when the rate
Of progression would naturally be
diminished, the brakes were applied.
Fahrenheit was observed making VIC.
lent signals with his hands, and the
kite was found to be falling with alarm
ing rapidity. So great, indeed, had
the speed become that it was evident
that Fahrenheit's doom was sealed un-
less some immediate effort could be
made to stop the fall.
Mr.. McLennan and his two assistants
.hereupon promptly determined to take
the only possible step which could
save him. By pulling in the ropes
violently the kite would slightly ascend,
aad so, throwing off their coats, they
sugged with might and main.
In five minutes Fahrenheit was on
terra tirma. It appeared that the rain
ntd thoroughly soaked the canvas and
added pounds to the weight of the kite,
causing it to fall. Had not prompt
measures been taken. there can be but
little doubt that the ponderous ma
chine would have caused the violent
-!eath of the occupant of the basket.