The Bennington evening banner. (Bennington, Vt.) 19??-1961, 1906-08-07
LONG FLIGHT
IN THE AIR
Thomas Balloon Sails from
New York to Bay State
START WAS AT MIDNIGHT
Aerial Trip Of over us Miles Of
Landl and Water Is Very
Successful.

BRANT ROCK. Mass. Aug. T.
Sailing above the clouds aud over 225
miles OF panoramic land and water
from New York city ana landing at
the little scashorc resort of Brant Rock,
Mass. near the historic town of Ply
mouth. Dr. Julian l.. Thomas OF New
York city and Roy knabenshue, pro
fessional aeronaut. made one OF the
most successful balloon trips yet un-
drrtnkcn la this country and learned
much. it Is believed. that will assist
iu the development Of nerlal naviga-
ton
Dr Thomas In an Interview said that
the trip from every point Of view was
the most successful he has yet accom-
plshcd The balloon was unchanged.
but Acronnut Knabenshue was cut
slightly during the final descent at this
place. Otherwise nothing marred the
hight
The voyage was made with one stop
aud that a voluntary one at Noank.
Conn. where by the aid Of new guide
rope Dr Thomas brought his big bal
loon TO the earth 10 procure breakfast
and water almost as sklllfully and
with as accurate judge OF distance
OF pilot bringing a huge liner to her
dock. The aeronauts We're nearly
twelve hours on their trip.
Tho start was made from the Union
Gas works at one Hundred and Eight
ecnth street. New York and ;he trip
was made for the purpose OF testing
two new appliances. Il guide rope and
water anchor The former device
worked with great success.
The ascent from the gas works was
made without mlshap AT midnight.
The balloon rose high over New York
city aud impelled 10y gentle south
west wind sailed of over Long Island
sound. The balloonlsts had wonder
mi and unusual view Of the earth be
cause of the clear light OF full August
moon After several miles. however. u
thick fog swept In between the sway
ing car and the waters of the sound.
TO the dsmay of the aerOnauts they
were unable to tell whittier they were
,ryin2 moment Of the journey. OF this
Dr. Thomas said. we were not fright
cncd have always been lucky"
by the use of his guide rope DR..
Thomas brought the ear nearer the
earth and from the blasts OF the fog
horns beneath him knew he was still
over the waters of the sound on
Bridgeport. Conn, attracted by one
Of the whstlug craft Or. Thomas
brought his airship still closer TO the
water and astoniShed the members Of
a yachting party 10y hallng them from
the mist and darkness. From them he
learned his cxnct position and then
quickly resumed his journey.
At about o'clock in the morning
The dark outlines of land could be
made out through the fog. and by the
aid OF his new devices of water anchor
ana guide rope Dr. Thomas landed
gently ut Noank. Conn, in the yard Of
rilton Eldrdge
The voyagerS breakfasted with Mr.
Eldridge and were 50 enthusiastic over
the success Of their trip. which at this
point had been of about no miles the
longest thus far attempted 10y DR.
Thomas, that they decided to continue
On their way although they had at
first planned merely moonlight eX-
curSiOn 10 try the new devices.
The suns action upon the balloon
had made 1t still more buoyant and as
soon as released from its anchorage
the big bag shot up high In the air 10 II
height not hitherto reached and far
above the fog bank that still hung
over the water. The wind still held to
the southwest Long Island sound
was gradually left behind, and the
balloon scared over the hills and
meadows of Rhode Island DESTROYS
of further testing his guide rope DIR.
Thomas dropped nearer to land at
Warwick and descended SO close that
he was able to ask of wondering in
NuDlldlllS Mllui pluCt IL was. AlllS was
at 8 o'clock, and DR. Thomas estimated
that he had been travelling ut ten miles
an hour
over Narragansett bay and into Mas
sachusetts the balloon sailed. Hills,
rivers and busy manufacturing cities
stretched in one flat perspective under
meath. Far ahead. however, but draw
ing rapidly near, was the ocean. Prep
aratiOns were at once made for final
descent
The car dropped rapidly but not VIC
lently until il struck the meadow land
belonging to George II. Thomas ut
Brant Rock. The car, made unsteady
by its lack of ballast. bounded along
the ground for over a hundred yards
before its anchor brought it up with
the open waters Of Massachusetts bay
scarcely 300 yards distant. DR.. Thorn
as and Mr. Knabenshue stepped out Of
the car which was unchanged, and
made 1t secure TO nearby fence Mr..
Knabenshue had sustained by the
humping of the basket along the rocks
a few cuts about the head. A great
crowd of cottagers concentrated and
welcomed the aerOnauts TO these the
baIlnopfuts statpI that the trim WAS