The Somerset reporter., 1906-08-16
Successful BaIlooning.


Above the clouds and over 225 miles of
land and water from New York City
to the little seashore resort of Brant
Rock, Mass, near the historic towns of
Plymouth and Duxbury, DR.. Julian P.
Thomas of New York City, and Roy
Knabenshue, a professional aeronaut,
made one of the most successful balloon
uips yet made IN this country.
Dr Thomas, In an interview, said that
the trip from every point of view was
the most successful he has yet under
taken. His balloon was unchanged and
beyond few cuts, sustained by his com
pauions 10 their final descent at that
pace, the doctor and Mr.. Knabenshue
f,lt no Ill effects from their wonderful
fight.
The voyage was made with one stop,
at Noank Conn, where by the aid of a
new guide rope DR.. Thomas brought
his big balloon to the earth for break
fast and water
The aeronauts landed at Rrant Rock at
80 and as they left New York at mid
night they were about II hours on their
trip.
New York City, at midnight. The bal
loon rose high over New York City, and
impelled by gentle southwest wind,
sailed off over Long Island sound D..
Within a few miles, however, thick
fog swept in between the swaytug Car
and the waters of the SOUND, and the
aeronauts were unable to tell whittier
they were drifting BY the use of a
L., hrnnuhf IA p r
nearer the earth and from the blasts Of
the fog horns beneath him, knew he was
still over the waters of the sound. on
BIi igeport, Conn.,, attracted by one OF
the whlstling craft beneath him, DR..
Thomas brought his airshlp still closer
to the water, and the members OF a
yachting party were astonished at hear
ing a voice from the clouds inquire what
place it was
About 5 O'Clock the dark outlines Of
land could be made out through the fog
and by the aid of his new devices of the
water anchor and guide rope, Dr. Thorn
as landed gently at NOank, Conn, In the
yard of Tilton Eldridge.
Accepting Mr. Eldridge's invitation,
the voyagers had breakfast and were 50
enthusiastic over the success of their
trip which at this point had been OF
about 40 mi es, the longest thus far at
tempted by DR. Thomas, that they de-
cided to continue on their way.
At about o'clock another start was
made. The suns action upon the bal
loon had made it still more buoyant and
as soon as released from it's anchorage
the big balloon shot up high in the arr
to a height not hitherto reached, despite
extra ballast added here, and far above
the fog bank that still hung over the
water. Gradually the suns rays dis
PEELED the thick fog. The wind suIl
held to the southwest, Long leland
sound was gradually left behind and the
balloon SCARED over the hills and mead
ows Of Rhode Island DESTROYS of fur
Their testing his guide rope, DR.. Thomas
dropped nearer to land and at Warwick
descended 30 close that he was able TO
ak of the wonder stricken inhabitants
what place it was. This was at o'clock
and DR.. Thomas estimated that he had
been travelling at about 10 miles an hour.
Over Narragansett bay and into Mas
sachusetts the balloon sailed. Far
ahead, but drawing rapidly near, was
seen the border line between land aud
sea Beyond was water, beyond which
the glass failed TO discover land
Preparations were at once made for a
final descent, and the final and crucial
test of the guide rope was at hand.
The car dropped rapidly, but not vi
olently until it struck the meadow land
when it bounded along the ground for
over 100 yards before its anchor brought
it up with the open waters of Massa-
chusetts bay scarcely 800 yards distant,
DR.. Thomas and Mr.. Knabenshue step
ped out of the car, which was undamag-
ed, and made it secure to nearby fence.
Mr.. Knabenshue was the only one who
showed tho slightest signs OF injuries re-
ceived from the shaking up of the de-
scent and he had only few cuts about
the head.