The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-01-12
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steamer was still out of hearing Then I
fastened two empty ballast sacks on my
last rope and threw them down in the wa
ter The balloon now nearly stopped. But
now the steamer had put out all fires and
had no steam to come nearer up TO me. /
saw that there was nothing left TO me but
TO try to reach Finland. But I'm what way
was ! to get up my ropes from the water'
/ tried to lift up the heaviest, but when /
got IL a little above the surface the balloon
became so much heavier and sank down.
Then cut the rope attached 10 the empty
sandbags. The balloon became Immediate
ly more steady and was carried forward
with good speed, now about IA miles an
hour.
"Some hours later met with the bark
Kalewa from Finland. She offered me as
sistance, which | declined. II was too
risky an enterprise. II l had tried to 20
down TO the surface while the bark lay In
my way, the balloon would have rebounded
from the water with jump of 200 TO 800
meters / should have been thrown out
and In all probability killed. Therefore
determined to continue my voyage. One
and onehalf hours later l was Obliged to
cut the rope holding the anchor, which
at any rate would have lost on some cliff
near the coast II was "a bold thing, but a
necessary one. The balloon sped away at
the rate OF 10 miles an hour It. kept at a
height Of about 20 meters above the water.
and although it often sank down very near
20 it l was never dipped So far as
know, nobody has ever sailed in a balloon
over such a course with the hold line of
the balloon all the time down In the water.
''Soon the wind began TO freshen still
more. Il also began raining, which would
have proved dangerous, but IL ceased after
a little while. At $50 p. m. passed over
the first cliff on the coast of Finland. II
was now so dark that could hardly read
the compass. But imagined the wind was
going over to the south. II so, l would sail
along the coast instead Of into Finland.
For % minutes l was standing at the edge
Of the gondola with some ballast IN my
hands ready TO throw 1t out In case Of dan.
ger from collision with cliff. Suddenly !
saw q sharp light. / supposed il was a
lighthouse, but there appeared now two
then three lights. IL evidently was a build
ing. For one moment l lost my presence
Of mind and failed TO grapple the rope to
the ventilator and hang on TO it with all
my powers.
'Now II was too late. ] had passed the
island, and the balloon came down In the
water was lying In the bottom Of the gon
dola, and the water rushed in with such
force that | could not move The most OF
the way TO the next island was under ths
water But this could not continue. Through
some equilibristic evolutions succeeded IN
getting my legs over the edge just when the
balloon rushed over the next cliff. II was d
wonder escaped having them broken.
tried now different positions, but AS the gon
dOla often turned somersaults | was never
safe
But felt could not endure it much
longer. felt myself so feeble that II would
have been an impossibility for me TO try I,
hold the balloon. / had only one cours,
now TO pursue-to try saving my life. Pass
ing over the next cliff jumped down. The
balloon shot up into the air and disap
peared. was saved"
Mr. Andree passed a very uncomfortable
night on the island, but WAS rescued mex
day by "A boatman, who also secured th'
balloon on "A neighboring island. The in
habitants Of the islands. who had nevel
seen a balloon, were frightened out OF theil
wits One OF them. a woman, said;
I'VE saw "A big, square boat with an enor
nous sail. come sailing from the sea with
terrific sweep. sailing upon the ground
aud across the island, and 30 continuing II
the water on the other side. God help me
Thought my last hour had arrived"