River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1898-06-09
LAUGHS AT SPANISH GUNS.
Sergeant BnlIoontst Ivy Baldwin
Says the Dons Cannot
Hurt Him.

81 wouldn't be afraid to sit in the bal
loon all day and let those guys fire at
me-" recarked Sergt. Ivy Baldwin the
other day, in speaking of the proba-
bilities of being hit by the Spaniards
while taking observations at the front
in time of war. The Spaniards have no
guns capable of striking a balloon at
a height of 1000 or 5000 feet. Now, if
we were engaged in war against the
Germans or the French it would be
different matter. They have made
special study of ballooning or war pur-
poses and have guns which might prove
very dangerous to an aerouaut studying
their positions. An ordinary cannon is
a dangerous thing to use for the pur-
pose of bringing down a bolloon. The
chances are that the piece would burst
| If fired on the inclination which would
be necessary. 1t requires a weapon
made especially for the purpose. have
no fear of a rife ball, as the force of
gravity acts directly upon ball when
ii is fired"
Sergt. Baldwin is in fine spirits over
the probability of being ordered to re
port at Fort Wadsworth in charge of
/ the magnificent balloon which he has
made for signaling purposes. Fort
| Wadsworth is in the entrance of New
| York harbor, and Baldwin estimates
that at an elevation of 1900 feet he
Will be able with the naked eve TO see
the fleet of the enemy approaching at
distance of "a miles. Sergt Baldwin
has made hundreds of ascensions on the
seashore near San Francisco, where he
learned not TO fear a dip in the briDy
| ocean.
The balloon which is to be sent east
was made in this city by Baldwin. 1t
has capacity of $4,000 cubic feet of
gas and is made of pongee silk.
Nine minutes is given as the time
which is required in elevating to an
altitude of 1900 feet. This can safely
De operated to advantage. The balloon
will be held to the earth by a cable con-
sisting of ten insulated piano wires
with cloth coating. The wires are I'M.
empered and may be utilized for tel.
sphone or telegraphic service. The
able will be attached to a windlass,
md Baldwin estimates that four meh
IAN furnish power necessary in raising
and lowering.
''The balloon" said Baldwin, will be
Useful only when the sun is shining,
Even when the day appears perfectly
bright a mist is arising from the ocean
and vision is obscured at 20 or 25 miles.
[ never tested a telescope al the shore,
out will no doubt have the opportunity
Of doing so If we have war with Spain
have no fears whatever of falling into
.he water. What causes a balloon to
fall? The escape of the gas and the
weight Of the individual riding in the
balloon. All he has to do is to remain
still, and when the balloon strikes the
water what is the result? The bag ex-
pands. The weight is relieved by the
ouoyant power of the water, and when
the balloon rises the man in the basket
las a chance to let 90 and swim away
If an aeronaut is drowned it is his own
fault"
Baldwin entered the army with the
hope that an opportunity would be
presented for him to perform some
practical service in the field for his
country. No citizen of the republic will
be disappointed more than Baldwin if
peace takes the place of the grim
visaged monster. Baldwin is the only
professional balloonist in the United
States army, and he has received the
constant support and encouragement of
Capt. Glassford in the work he has I'M
dertaken since enlisting. In addition to
being practical balloon man Baldwin
has learned the art of telegraphy and
signaling with flags, and is one of he
liveliest men in the corps in building a
telegraph or telephone line. One of the
diversions Of the corps at Fort Logan
has been to build a temporary telegraph
line miic mile and a naIT long,
send a message in each direction and
take up the line. The men have also
been instructed in the use of the bal
loon, so that every member of the corps
may be capable of service in various di.
rections in any part of the country.
Baldwin's experiments with cellulor
kites have been sadly interfered with
since the prospect for war opened, but
he hopes to so far perfect his plans as to
make use of kites if hostilities break
out.-Denver Times.