Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1901-10-28
THE FIRST AERONAUT
His iNIT9AL FLIGHT INTO SPACE WAS
= r~ AT PARIS IN 1888.

-
Who Perished In Their Attempts to
! Navigate the Air. '.,., '.s s."
The firgs attempts to make ascen-
sions by means Of balloons were made
in Paris in the year 1888. Pilatre des
Rosiers was the first and most illustri- |
GUS of the long list Of aeronauts who
have fallen victims to their desire to
advance the art Of aerostatics.
In July and August Of the year 1888
balloons filed with hydrogen gas were
sent up from Paris, and in September
at Versailles the first balloon was sent
up freighted with living animals.
In the same year Montgolfier con-
structed q balloon which he claimed
would be capable Of carrying passen-
gers, his workshop being in the gardens
of the Faubourg st. Antoine. The bal
loon was sixty feet in height and forty
eight broad. Its exterior was richly
painted and embroidered, there being
represented rpon it the twelve signs of
the zodiac, the arms Of the king Of
France and numberless feurs-de-lis and
lower down. amid a crowd of grotesque
heads and garlands Of flowers, flock
of eagles, with extended wings, that
seemed to be flying and supporting the
huge balloon upon their shoulders.
Below the balloon proper was con-
structed a circular platform of wicker
work, covered with silk, which was
used as car. This platform was very
large and was surrounded by balus-
trade to prevent the aeronauts from
falling out. In the center Of this plNt-
form or car was an opening, below
which was suspended by chains an iron
stove, which was to be used for rarely
ing the air in the balloon, while in one
corner was q magazine intended for the
storing up of an immense quantity of
straw, which served as fuel.
Pilatre des Rosters, generally alone,
but at one time accompanied by the
Marquis d'Arlandes and on another oc-
casion by NJ Girond de Villette, had as
cended in the balloon without cutting
the rope which held it captive to a
height Of 1890 feet.
Rosters had much difficulty in obtain
ing permission from the king to make
an ascent without being held down BY
the rope, but consent was at last Sc
cured, and on the Goth Of November,
1888, everything was made ready. Dur
ing the day the wind and rain We're vio-
lent, and it was found necessary to
postpone the ascent. The next day, the
21st, the weather was more favorable,
and at 40 in the afternoon in the pres
ence Of the dauphin and his suit Pi-
latre des Rosters and the Marquis d Ar
Iandes set out together from the JAR
dins de la Muette upon the first aerial
voyage ever attempted and performed
The wind was still very rough and the
weather stormy, but in spite of these
disadvantages the balloon rose rapidly
Having passed over Paris ard be-
r. come free from all fear OF getting en-
tangled among the buildings Of the city
the aeronauts suffered themselves tc
descend considerably until they found
themselves in fresh current Of air
. which bore them in southerly direc
ton.
After proceeding a few miles farther
p. the fire was allowed to die out, and thu
balloon descended about five miles from
Z Paris. When the aeronauts returned tt
the Chateau de la Muette, they were
greeted with the utmost enthusiasm bt
the assembled crowds. Benjamin Frank
: lin was a witness Of the whole specta
Gle, and when asked what he though
OF it he replied, II have seen a chile
born which may one day be man."
3 E,Aerostatics had advanced to- such
degree that on the 7th Of January
1875, Blanchard, a rival of Rosters
crossed over the channel from Dove
50 Calais. =. 'sEa&
y Rosters was spurred on BY Blanch
ards success and set to work con
h structing d balloon which, when com
1 pleted, he. called an aeromo montg golfiel
*. st consisted Of an immense balloon o
4 hydrogen gas, with a large cylinde
! placed under 1t, the use OF lit being +
rarely the air without losing gas.
3.5, when q favorable day had arrived
Y Pilatre for the last time made hi
y. preparations. He was assisted d BY !;
RouIogne physician named Roman
and on June 15, 1885, they stepped int
she basket, the ropes were cast off, an
the balloon rose with the utmost ma
esty from the earth. l5s, .l.52 = ss. z. /.
$s5 533A &s When 1t had risen about 200 feet,
struck a fresh current Of air whic
s took it directly toward the sea. It 500
found another current which rapid
carried II back again. II possibly ma nj
have been the desire of the aeronaut
III descend to find q more favorable eul
s5 rent of air, for while opening the valv
to let the cold mir into his cylinder III
fortunately D huge rent was made !
.5t 5 the balloon. The conseq ences sEer
5 immediate and horrible. At that tim
the balloon was 4, 100 feet above th
surface Of the earth. A few moment
afterward the two aeronants la g
The ground dead and horribly nut
lated. sa. 53s1s
Near the spot where Pilatre des 3,
3S siers was buried tinaent Wa
sf7 erected ID 1858 to commena crate the g