New-York tribune., 1906-07-20
BALLOON ON A R0MP.
SKYL4RKING OTER CITY
Bumps Church Spue - Reserves
Called Oat-Drops IN Rluer.

The balloon Nirvana with Or. and Mrs Thomas
and Roy Knabenshue on board. after sknmins
the Hudson and dipping the party dozen, times.
came 20 rest the edge OF the river opposite fzd
street. yesterday evening, after an eventfu voyage
Once while crossing Manhattan they were pulled
down to the street, few minutes later they nearly
carried away the huge silt cross on ST. Ceciiia's 3
Church in 106th street. An altitude Of 5000 feet
was attained at one time.
The start was delayed because an invention OF
Knabenshus TO dry the gas which was used was
too small for tho balloon. which was inflated az
the East 18Sth street gas works. The balloon got
away soon after 2 o'clock. II rose 90 q height OF
about six hundred or hundred feet and then
drifted slowly southward across the Harlem River.
and over Manhattan. AT 10th street It swung
westward and southwark. passing over thousands
OF eager watchers in the streets
As the balloon. which had descended consider
ably reached Park avenue and lsth street. the
drag rope swept the ground. Half a dozen mon
seized II and then began to haul Il down hand
over hand. DIR. Thomas and knabenshue TeTnon-
strated and protested vigorously the presenee
Of Mrs. Thomas allowed but the men hauled away
without notice.
Hundreds who had followed the balloon across
the city came rushing up. Joined by hundreds more
from the neighboring apartment houses. The pa
trolman post, fearing riot, sent for the re-
serves who came on the double quick, dispensing
the crowd.
Just before the police arrived the men who had
loon down clear 10 the ground. Then they let 60
The balloon with a jerk, the swaying basket
spinning against the the steeple Of ST.
Cecilias Church. The force OF the collision slight
ly bruised Mrs. Thomas
Still followed by the mob. the Nirvana rose into
sluggish current from the west. and. staying al
most directly 106th street all the way. drifted
over TO Long Island, crossing all the little villages
that straggle along the north shore. Over Flush
ing Bay ballast dumped out until the balloon
FoAF nd ~ efunf Trao
earth.
Then the party descended, looking for place 20
land. Near Flushing some men tried TO seize the
drag rope again. but failed All the ballast with the
exception Of about ten pounds. was gone. IL would
have been easy 10 land on Wards Island. but DR..
Thomas would not. for fear he would trouble
to the keepers by alarming the insane patients
Although it was possible also to have landed os
the northern end of Blackwelfs Island. the party
decided not tn do so.
DR.. Thomas thought that IL might be possible 20
land in Central Park but Knabenshue said that the
last time he landed there the police had warned
him not to do II again. Not wishing to land in a
cell, the party kept on. finally deciding TO cross
the river although their supply Of ballast
nearly exhausted.
When the river was reached the cooler air made
the gas contract and the balloon dropped like
stone. The last ballast went overheard 20 stop
this.
A dozen boats on the river began to hasten to
the assistance OF the balloon but all too far
away 70 be Of much use Mrs Thomas. despite the
peril of her position. declined 70 climb into the
rigging, where she would have been safe. Despite
her protests, however, Dr.. Thomas forced her 20
put on life preserver.
The balloon had taken a more northerly course as
il reached the river, and was of I'D street when
the middla OF the river was reached There DR..
Thomas threw overheard the 50-pOund graphing
balloon rose a bit the anchor and about three
hundred feet Of rope trailing out behind acting as
8 dTsg. however.
By this time the SO-horsepower motor boat Pass
BY, belonging 70 John 81 Rose; OF the Columoia
offered assistance. DR.. Thomas called hack
through his megaphone that they wcre in great
immediate danger but asked that the boat stand
for a moment in the mud of the river bed The
balloon was thrown down to the water. ana the
basket partly dipped, although water got aboard.
DR.. Thomas made ready 70 throw overheard a
which weighed about nifty pounds. but the balloon
rose again, the anchor freed itself from the
soft mud. II kept catching, however, and before
the western bank was reached the party had been
reached the anchor trailing behind, DR.. Thomas
hailed man. asking him to sit on the anchor
when it hit the land The man was accommodating
and did so, bringing the balloon to1e stop.
jumped out. Mr.. Rose sent his tender ashore. and
while Dr. Thomas and Knabenshue were debating
the balloon, took Mrs. Thomas for spin up the
river in his twenty-eight knot boat the Two men
joining them later.
A small boy got caught in the rigging while the
balloon was being Debated and for few seconds
was carried off the ground
Knabenshue is TO exhibit his airship tomorrow
around the big field only few feet above the
ground, something that has not yet been attempted
here or abroad. He will also send up two or three
ordinary drifting balloons.