Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-10-14
AERONAUTS KILLED.
De Bradsky and NORM Fall
to Death at Paris.
Balloon Too Light and Gives Way
High Up in Air.
Started from Same Place as ILL., Fated
Severo's Machine.

Paris. Oct. 13.-De Bradsky, the aero
naut, and NORM. his engineer. were
killed by falling from dirigible bal
loon. Monday morning.
The catastrophe sent a thrill of hor-
rOr through Paris, following the disas-
ter to the Brazilian aeronaut, August
Severe, who was killed May ~ last, and
whose balloon started from the same
shed in a southern quarter of Paris as
did he Bradsky's balloon. today. The
principle of the latter's ship had been
warmly discussed and its ascent was
awaited with the keencst interest.
number Of aeronauts. friends of De
Bradsky, and the latter's wife, were
present at the start. Nine. De Bradsky,
though anxious that her husband
should demonstrate the success of his
invention. witnessed his departure with
considerable emotion, especially as the
conversation of the spectators turned
on the fatal ending of Severos expert
ment.
De Bradsky first tried the ascensional
screw, below the car and the air ship
held by ropes, rose easily and main
tainea its equilibrium. De Bradsky was
satisfied and said he would maneuvre
over the drilling ground opposite the
Trocadero. A whistle was blown, men
released the ropes. the prorelling screw
behind was set in motion and the air.
ship was pointed in the proper direc-
ton.
But suddenly southwest wind
sprsng UP and the airship swerveG to
the northeast instead of to the north
1~s,,r1 x.xy., Is
the airship executed number of evo-
lutions, but continued northward with
the wind, eventually disappearing over
the great white basiliica of the church
IF the Sacred Heart on top of the hill
of Montmatre. The aeronaut's wife
and their friends waited at the shed
from till 10 and grew anxious ut his
prolonged absence.
When the balloon was perceived at
an immense height this increased the
anxiety. as it was known the airship
was never intended to rise to such a
point. 1t was, however. merely the in
fiated envelope which drifted back
across Paris after the accident had re-
'lieved 1t OF the weight OF the car. A
few minutes later a telegram arrived
with the news of the disaster
An eye witness named Aubet gave
the following account of the accident:
II was standing on the steps of my
building yard when l heard voice
calling. I looked up and saw an air.
ship a hundred yards in the air. M.
Mcrin was leaning out of the car and
asked through megaphOne where was
a suitable spot to descend. indicated
a place in the neighborhOod and the
airship proceeded in the direction had
Indicated. A few instants later saw
the balloon turn sharply and at the
same moment / heard noise like the
tearing of cloth. The piano wires at
tachipg the front of the car to the bal
loon had broken. Oother wires follow
ed suit, the car became detached and II
fell to the ground, POO yards distant.
The balloon itself bounded up in the
air and disappeared. ! hurried to the
SPOT and fOunt; NJ. De Bradsky dead
and terribly bruised beneath the motor.
NJ. Norm was lying under the remain
der of the car. He lived but a few
moments
NJ De Rradsky was Hungarian
baron. Sc years of age, rich and clever.
and had been in the diplomatic service.
He made his first ascension in 1901.
NORM was his engineer A widow and
three children survive him.
Lachambre, the constructor Of the
airshir says he had no confidence In
the mechanical part of the airship but
says the balloon mad perfect stability
and constituted real progress inasmuch
as there was no pitching or sudden
shocks. The defects were that the car
was too light and that the motor and
guiding screw were too weak.