Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1906-08-09
A HAPPY FLIGHT.
DR.. Thomas and Roy Knabenshue
Made a Balloon Trip of 225
Miles Over Land and Water.
TESTING NEW APPLIANCES.


Brant Rock, Mass, Aug. 7.-Sailing
above the clouds and over 225 miles
of panoramic land and water from
New York City and landing Monday
at the little seashore resort of Brant
Rock, near the historic town of Ply
mouth, DR.. Julian P. Thomas, Of New
York and Roy Knabenshue, a pro
fessional aeronaut, made one Of the
most successful balloon trips yet I'm.
dertaken in this country and learned
much 1t is believed, that will assist
in the development of aerial naviga-
ton. DR.. Thomas said that the trip
from every point Of view was the
most successful he has yet accom-
plished. The balloon was unchanged
but Aeronaut Knabenshue was cut
slightly during the descent at this
place. Otherwise nothing marred the
flight.
The trip was made with one stop,
and that voluntary one at Noank,
Conn, early Monday morning, where
by the, aid Of new guide rope, DR..
Thomas quickly brought his balloon
to the earth to procure breakfast and
water. The aeronauts landed at Brant
Rock at 1880 Monday forenoon and
as they left New York at midnight
Sunday night they were nearly twelve
hours on their trip.
The trip was made for the purpose
of testing two new appliances, a guide
rope and water anchor. The former
device worked with great success.
The ascent in New York was made
without mishap at midnight. The bal
loon rose high over New York city and
sailed over Long Island sound. After
several miles a thick fog swept over
the sound and the aeronauts were un'
able to tell whittier they were drift
ing. BY the use Of his guide rope DR..
Thomas brought the car nearer earth
and from the blasts Of the fog horns
knew he was still over the waters OF
the sound. Off Bridgeport, Conn,
attracted by one of the whistling craft
Dr. Thomas brought his airship still
closer to the water and astonished
the members Of a yachting party by
hailing them from mist darkness,
From them he learned his exact po
sition and then quickly resumed his
journey.
At about o'clock Monday morning
the outlines Of land could be made out
through the fog and by the aid Of his
new devices OF water anchor and
guide rope Dr.. Thomas landed gently
at Noank, Conn.
The voyagers had breakfast and
were 30 enthusiastic over the success
of their trip, which at this point had
been of about 140 miles, that they de.
cided to continue on their journey.
The suns action upon the balloon
had made It still more buoyant and
az soon as released from its anchor
age the big bag shot up In air to
height not hitherto reached, and far
above the fog bank that still hung
over the water. Long Island sound
was gradually left behind and the bal
loon SCARED over the hills and mead
ows Of Rhode Island. DESTROYS OF
further testing his guide rope Dr.
Thomas dropped nearer to land at
Warwick and descended so close trat
he was able to ask Of wondering in
habitants what place It was.
Over Narragansett bay and into
Massachusetts the balloon sailed and
finally the ocean came into view and
preparations were at once made for q
final descent.
The car dropped rapidly until IT
struck the meadowland belonging to
George H. Thomas at Brant Rock
The car, made unsteady by its lack Of
ballast, bounded along the ground
for over 100 yards before its anchor
brought 1t up with the open waters
Of Massachusetts, bay, scarcely SVO'
vards away.