New-York tribune., 1906-04-01
LATE ASCENSION MADE
AERONAUTS MEET PERILS.
Haze Narosc Escapes from Collision
Hours Flight to PeeksliH.
TBy telegraph 10 The tribune. !


Of about an hour yesterday, Count de la Vaulx
and Charles Levee landed near PeeltslSill, after
a belated and exciting start from the Military
Academy at West Point Three times the aero
nauts were In peril. once from a tree on the edse
OF tho parade ground. then from narrowly
escaped collision with the clock tower, and again
while crossing the Hudson
Because of the bowling gale in the morning
the ascension had been called off. but in the
afternoon the wind dropped enough to permit
the imitation of the balloon. Two eight-inch
mains were led from the gas plant close to the
parapet of Old Siege Battery. The gas not
turned into the pipes until about o'clock yet
LOrient scared aloft somewhat lamely. at 4:57
o'clock
AS soon the work OF imitation began. both
Levee and De Ia Vaulx displayed considerable
excitement and nervousness. which, from men
who had sailed through the air many times.
occasioned much comment among the crowd
The spectators assembled made brilliant scene.
in spite of the absence Of the women who had
planned to up from New York. The gray
Of the cadets mingled with the russet and blue
of the officers. the bright gowns OF the women
of the post adding dash Of more brilliant color.
In addition to the post people, scores drove in
from the neighborins towns to watch the ascent.
When the balloon was inflated IL was found to
be too close to the edge of the parapet for safety
With the assistance of fifty sixty enlisted
mon, the balloon dragged back some four
hundred feet onto the parade ground. and an
chored. Then the two FTenchmen climbed aboard
just as the tricolor of France and the Yankee
colors were flown from the net Of the balloon.
Mrs. Leo Stevens presented them with bottle
OF champagne When the count started to cast
loose it was found that the gas was unexpected
ly poor. Some ballast was thrown overheard
md Cole Hn Y
was dragged back and more ballast discarded
Still the margin Of safety was too small. and
more ballast and then even the bottle OF cham
pagne were thrown overheard.
This last sacrifice proved effective, and
ROrient rose with morning after" unsteadi-
ness, and wabbled up against the top OF a tree
on the edge Of the parade ground. There It
rested pressed tightly against the branches some
sixty feet from the ground While the aero
nauts were in no dire peril, their position was
precarious enough to cause uneasiness and ex-
cttement among the spectators
BY remarkable good fortune the bag was not
torn, but the valve rope tangled itself around
a branch, opening the valve and letting out a
goodly amount Of the gas. More Of the precious
ballast had to be 1ettisoned 10 overcome this,
and. favoring slant of wind coming TO the
rescue the balloon rose like an owl startled into
flight in bright sunlight. The balloon caught this
vagrant squau. bore straight across the parade
ground toward the clock tower. The airship
just cleared the roof the drag rope being
dropped as it slipped over
Safe from this peril L'Orient drifted parallel
with the river until IT attained an altitude OF
some four or five hundred feet, and then slantsd
eff somewhat TO the eastward and out over the
river "A downward bearing current caught It
then and bore 1t down close TO the water. The
last Of the ballast splashed into the water, and
the balloon. bearing somewhat south of south
east, rose gradually, but steadily.
The troubles OF the aeronauts were not en-
tirely over. however, for the Highland Range
still remained to be crossed. From the high
bluff the western bank or the river It looked
as IL the balloon would not reach the necessary
altitude in time. AS it approached the range
heading directly for Sugar Loaf Mountain it's
upward drift increased. and 1t finally passed
safely across but with only few score feet to
spare
From Sugar Loaf to PeeksliIl the voyage was
uneventful. BY the time the outskirts of Peeks-
kill were reached. however, the lack OF ballast
and the loss Of gas. combined with the gathering
dusk. made 1t advisable TO land This was done
without accident In an open field just outside
the town a few minutes before 6 o'clock. The
balloon and its appurtenances were packed in
the basket and made ready to be shipped to
New York for Use Monday, when the count and
NJ Levee will take DR.. Julian P Thomas aloft
from The Bronx
Count de Ia Vaux and NJ. Leyee returned to
West Point early in the evening. When it had
appeared impracticable to make an ascension
the count telephoned to New York for his stere-
opticon slides, which were sent to him in the
afternoon. He used them tonight to illustrate
a lecture to the officers and cadets on his aerial
voyage across the Mediterranean.
To-day dawned most unpromising the fierce
mo- fhorlV sal hrin hal
squalls IN its wake. After consultation be-
Lieutenant Lain. it decided not to make
an ascension. They telephoned their decision
Club in New York. Mr.. Bishop informed the
other members of the club of the postpOmemeHt
of the event ana the ticket sellers and gatanen
at the Grand Central Station wers ASKED to tell
all passengers for Garrison that the ascension
was cancelled AS result Mr. and Mrs. Leo
Stevens, who came UP an early morning train,
and a. NJ. Herring were the sole representa-
known New Workers, including many women.
went to the station In New York, but no further
when the gatemen made their announcement No
similar warning had been sent 10 the West Shore
Station and a few New Workers struggled in
over that road just in time 20 see the ascension.
Those who failed to reach West Point will
have opportunity to see ascension at home
tomorrow and Monday. Paul Nocquet. who
could not ascend there to-day. as he planned
because of the presence OF Leo Stevens here, will
probably make an ascension tomorrow from the
gas works at 13Sth street and the East River
in The Bronx
On Monday. the weather permitting Dr. Julian
t. Thomas Will make an ascension from the
same place. He will go as a pupil Of Count de
Ia Vaulx and M Levee. DIR. Thomas has ordered
a large balloon from France which will arrive
here by May /. and he wishes 20 learn how to
manage il. 80 that time will be lost after Us
arrival. Although DIR. Thomas is one of the lead
ing members of the Aero Club his ascension Ia
a personal venture. and not a club event.
-s-