The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1907-07-07
BALLOONS and LIGHTNING
DANGER FOR THE AERONAUT UP
IN THE STORM CLOUDS.
Accident by which an Engineer OfRcer Wa
killed In sight OF the King Of Italy
Captive Balloons Most Exposed 70
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS Recommended.

lightning Recommended.
During an inspection of troops by the
King and Queen OF Italy a short time ago
a balloon ascension took place in Rome. and
almost Immediately afterward, when the
balloon had reached a height Of only about
1905 feet IL was struck by lightning and
after taking fire fell to the earth. The
officer in charge. Capt. Ulivelli, an engineer
officer and balloon expert. was so seriously
injured by the fall Of the basket that he
died in a few hours.
This was the first time on record that a
free balloon was struck by lightning. Cap
tive balloons. on the other hand, have
occ~a9ionally been known to serve as on
ductors between a cumulus cloud and the
surface Of the earth. This has happened
several times in Rome.
For example, on November Il, 1891. q
balloon sent up on Monte Mario. which had
been partially hauled down on the sudden
approach Of a storm. was struck by light
ming at a height of about 500 feet. The
occupants. a Captain Of engineers. D'Amioo.
and a sergeant escared with comparatively
slight injuries.
In the experimental trials Of the German
balloon sections balloons have often been
struck by electrical discharges. A very
exciting case Of this kind occurred on May
%. 1902, at Hurlach, south Of Kloster Led
field, IN the Bavarian balloon troops.
First Lieut.. Hitler, in charge of a balloon.
found himself at about o p. NJ. at a height
Of about 1900 feet. when a heavy black
cloud appeared on the horizon, the ap-
proach OF which caused the men at the
talaphnpa and tho rapotap IN Aynorianna
electric shocks. The officer in charge
ground, but it was too late.
In the midst Of the preparations to effect
its descent a short, sharp thunderclap was
heard and one Of the horses Of the balloon
wagon fell over. The lightning had struck
the balloon and set the cover on fire. In a
minute the burning material fell to the
ground, Lieut.. Hitler in the burning mass.
The men came to his assistance 80 quickly
that he suffered no injury from the fire. but
his left leg and his right ankle were broken
and he suffered a heavy conclusion. After
q long siege in the hospital he recovered.
Three OF the men standing below were also
struck and had marks on their breasts or the
soles Of their feet similar to the effects Of
small calibre bullets. They recovered.
These accidents have suggested the neces-
sity for protecting captive balloons with
special lightning conductors. connecting
the iron parts with the cable and leading to
earth from the capstan.
II has happened that wen in fair weather
q fash Of lightning has been discharged
from a passing heavy cloud. As a rule
ascensions are not made in threatening
vsathar and fh;a paftar wo,ld hav~ NJ
general interest IL it were not for the fact
that captive balloons now form part Of
nearly all expositions or public outdoor
entertainments and opportunity is generally
given to make ascensions.
On these occasions, owing to the lack
Of proper precautions, accidents often
occur. The principal societies which take
an interest in and encourage this form Of
sport take precautions to avoid accidents.
but irresponsible persons having balloons
in charge are very apt to neglect them.
The question OF the danger from light
ming experienced by a free balloon has
become very serious, owing to the great
number of ascensions made nowadays, a
number which is steadily increasing year
by year.
The earliest record Of an %aeronaut's
experience in a thunderstorm In that OF
the French scientist Testu Brissy. On
May II, 17s8, while studying the electrical
condition Of the atmosphere. this expert
menter made an eleven hour night journey
and remained for three hours in thunder
clouds conducting his observations. He
notice several times on the iron points
Of the basket the well known phenomenon
Of 81. Elmo's fire.
John Wise, the noted American b~alloonist
gives an exciting description Of his ex-
periences in a storm during an ascent
made on June II, 1s43. The balloon, as it
came under a black cloud, began to rotate
and to ascend rapidly. On entering the
cloud Wise experienced a sensation OF
sufocating and had repeated attacks Of
vomiting.
In consequence OF he great cold the
ropes were covered with ice and snow fell.
The balloon was whirled about and rose
rapidly, roaring noises like those of a cata-
ract resounding in the air. The balloon
was sent alternately up and down several
times with great rspidity. After about
twenty minutes IL was finally thrown u
OF Me cloud
Capt. Hildebrandt Of the German army
had a similar experience when he made
an ascent on jun 7. 1902, with the director
Of the Photographic laboratory OF the
technical high school OF Charlottenburg.
Prof. Miethe. At $50 P. NJ, near Falken-
berg. the balloon had the towline out.
but to avoid injuring the cultivated fields
a landing was not effected. The balloon
soon reached Nieder- Finow, and then the
forest at Liepe. but no good landing place
was found.
Ballast was thrown out and the balloon
rose a few hundred yards and entered an
apparently harmless, low lying cloud.
Suddenly the balloon began to rise very
rapidly and a peculiar rushing noise became
subtle az if there were a waterfall down
below in the woods.
Hail fell into the basket from all sides.
Three times the balloon was hurled rapidly
from a height Of about 400 yards to ZOO
yards and down again. The tow line stood
ont straight, nearly on a level with the
basket, and the latter was thrown about so
'iolently that>the inmates had to hold on
with both hands. The storm forced the gas
Out OF the Ventilator at a rapid rate, and