The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1898-09-18
FEET ABOVE EARTH.
TIE HIGHEST BALLOON ASCENT nut
ONE EYER MADE

Prof. BerSon and Mr.. Spencer Nearly
Frozen at n Temperature of 100 Over
Five Miles Above Englnnd'H south Coast-
crew Faint TIL They Inhaled Conn
pressed O~1yEen-Good Scientific Results.
Special cabs DespatcA to TIE sUS.
LONDON, Sept. 17.-Great interest has been
excited by the remarkable balloon ascent by
Prof. Berson OF Berlin and Mr.. Spencer. an
neronaut from the Crystal Palace. on Thurs
day. The large balloon, filed with hydrogen,
reached a height Of 27,5OO feet-more thar
Ave miles. Prof. Berson carried a complete
equipment Of Instruments for oil manner OF
purposes. The observations and scientific
results were most satisfactory. This alti-
tude has only once been. exceeded. and that
was by Glaisher and Coxwell. In 1867. when
they ascended $1,000 feet. Mr.. Spencer says:
when the balloon was let 60 1t shot straight
up at a perpendicular rate OF l,OOO feet
in a minute for 10000 feet. when an air cur
rent bore it in a southeasterly direction.
When the balloon was $4,000 feet high 1t took
q southwesterly direction. When we were
over the Isle OF Dogs we saw a magnificent
panorama. The English Channel lay at our
feet. Ships were little black dots. The coast
of France was distinctly visible. and the vast
expanse of the North Sea touched the hori-
Eon.
AT 25,000 feet we had a decided feeling OF
dizziness. Breathing became difficult. l was
about to remark to Prof. Berson that l felt q
peculiar sensation. when he called:
Spencer. oxygen. oxygenH
THAT was the signal arranged for the in
haling Of compressed oxygen. which had been
taken along in a tube. seized the respirat Or
and inhaled the oxygen. and so did Prof. Ber-
son. The result was marvellous. We felt
new life and could attend to the sandbags and
the manipulation Of the balloon as we'll as II on
the ground. Prof. Berson was We ry pale.
and he told me that l was. too.
I'VE continued to soar upward, but there
was no appreciate difference in the rarity
OF the atmosphere. When at q higher alti-
tude l was curious to ascertain the effect OF the
atmosphere and removed the respirator.
In about a quarter Of q minute l felt the
same feeling of Giddiness creeping over me.
Then Prof. Berson called again: Spencer. oxy-
gent l inhaled the oxygen and had the same
sensation as before. Finally we reached IT.
500 feet, which was not quite the record Of
Glaisher when he was nearly asphyxiated. In
my opinion. we might have gone much higher
without Inconvenience. as long as we inflated
our lungs with Oxygen But there were only
four bags Of ballast left. and therefore 1 warned
Prof. Berson that 1t was not safe to throw any
more away.
AT 27.5OO feet the thermometer showed 29'
below zero. We felt limp and weak. We shiv-
cred and trembled. although wrapped In lots
Of flannel. The cold was shocking. All the
metallic articles. the ballast bag hooks. the
steel tube OF the compressed oxygen. and other
metal substances were coated with ice. The
sky was an intense blue. The sun was 30 daz-
Fling that we dared not look at it.
I'VE m ada the descent at terrific apeed In tha
upper attitudes. When the ballast bags were
thrown out to steady the balloon. the sand
scattered In the air and played around the ft-
tings Of our car. 1t was only when we were
within 10000 feet Of the earth and in o warmer
atmosphere that the balloon began to descend
steadily. We alighted gently in a field OF stub
ble."