The Topeka state journal., 1902-02-15

ties on board were cruising about the
bay with the intention of following the
mont as his airsilip rose and its head
pointed for the middle of the bay.
1t was soon noticed, however, that
instead of maintaining it's usual equI-
librium the balloon rose and pitched IN
a way that created considerable anx-
fety among the spectators. The areo-
naut, however, kept on his flight. and
pointing his. ship to the left continued
to ascend until the long guide rope
was quite 20 feet out of the water In
turning the balloon the guide rope
caught in the screw. and this with the
erratic working. of the airship created
situation of great danger At the same
time Squall burst from Tete De Chen,
and SantoS-DumOnt tilted the head OF
his balloon upward in order to olsen
gage the guide rope But in doing so
the ballast shifted and the oil used TO
run the motor began to spread. Fear
ing an explosion. the inventor pulled
the emergency cord. This ripped the
envelope of the balloon, which at once
began rapidly to descend. Santos
Dumont did not lose his head. he
could easily be seen from the shore
watching the various parts of the air.
ship At this time the balloon mad
slightly righted itself, and the lower
part having become empty the airship
dropped slantingly toward the pigeon
shooting groGnd which borders the bay.
In the meanwhile the steam launches
in the bay were making toward the spot
Princess Alice belonging to the Prince of
balloons guide rope. which somehow had
become disentangled. AT the moment this
by the motor. could be heard and the
screw was seen to revolve. The balloon,
slowly for few moments. But the motor
stopped again and the air ship descended
immersed up to his armpits in the water.
This scene was witnessed with intense eN-
h.
afioat The aeronaut. with the pluck
which has characterized him throughout
standing up in his car gesticulating and
shouting directions to those on the launch.
Princess Alice. At five minutes of three
o'clock the end of the balloon burst and
the launch. then gave orders to rescue
SantCs-Dumont from his periious position.
f1ated balloon of the air ship which threat
ened at any moment to smother Santos
The latter was half pulled and half
elambered over the gunwale into the boat
hand and urged him to allow himself to
be taken on board the yacht to dry him
aerouaut energetically refused to do this
until the remnants of his airship had been
his clothes and looking like a water rat,
the inventor stood in the bows of the
launch shouting directions for the salvage
of his air ship 1t was impossible to save
more than the silk envelope. The motor
naQ TO De leII TO 1SIe ana II Sdnk- Inc
launch. with the inventor, then made for
the shore.
As Santos-Dumont landed the great as
seInblage which had gathered on the shore
acclaimed him with extreme enthusiasm.
His first words of hurried interview as
he made his way toward his residence,
were
L am not discouraged. MY trip to
start again soon as l can get ready.
This accident was due to the entangle
ment of the guide rope with the screw
and wires of the balloon. The balloon was
not fully inflated when I started. Seeing
that an accident was inevitable / pulled
the emergency cord. but pulled it harder
than / intended. This made bigger rent
than / wanted. Consequently the air ship
collapsed too quickly