The morning journal-courier., 1908-10-12
American Balloon at Berlin Bursts When 5000 Feet Up, But Spreads Out Like
 Parachute,
23 AIRSHIps IN RACE
A. Holland Forbes and Augustus tost Saved Because of High ALL" tude at Which Accident
 Happens.


 dorf. was the occasion of a thrilling incident, two American aeronauts having a miraculous escape rom death. The American balloon Con queror, the only American built craft in the contest having on board A. Holland Forbes and Augustus Post, less than two minutes after the start burst at an altitude of 1000 feet, For 1000 feet it shot down like bullet, the aeronauts clinging to the over head ring, and then the torn silk spread out like a parachute, and the rapidity of the descent was checked. Coming close to the earth, however, the basket dashed into the roof of a house, but the two men escaped with but slight injuries. The race, in which twenty-three balloons participated. representing Great Britain, France, Germany, the United States Switzerland, Italy Bel gum and Spain began at o'clock this afternoon in the presence of at leasi S000O spectators, The sunshine was brilliant and the heat was that of summer Amid the strains of Amer lea" and volleys of cheers, the first balloon was sent away. IL was the America |" under command of James c. Mccoy, who was accompan- fed by Lieutenant yoghmann. The balloon was decorated with the stars and stripes, and it sailed away to the southeast at a rapid pace the aero nauts waving their hats
 A representative of each of the oth- CT nations followed the American balloon in succession at intervals of two minutes the national hymn of the respective countries ringing forth as the ropes were cast loose
 The second batch of eight balloons was led by Forbes in the Conqueror. which was started with some difficulty owing to gusty wind and too much ballast But eventually fl shot up and reached a high altitude in an incred'- hly shor: period. the basket swaying violently Then almost instantly a cry of horror arose from the crowd who saw the silk collapse and shouted, "The balloon is ripping up"
 The thousands who had gathered there stood for moment petritled; some turned away, fainting, as they saw the balloon falling with lightning like rapidity..
 A. Holland Forbes. who appeared to be very little tha worse for his ex- perience, except that ha was suffering somewhat from shock gave the As socated Press a thrilling account of the accident We had some difficulty" ha said, "in getting away but once we let the groond everything seemed to be right. Then I heard a peculiar swish and saia to Post That sounds dangerous. Immediately saw that the envelope was rapidly dehating, the gas escaping ia cloudH. Instantly I threw the appendix cienr of the basket and the ropes and drawing my jack knife, cat 'he ropes that were attach- cd 10 the thirty nins bags of sand ha.nglrs around Tho basket,
 }Post in the mecntins threw over ev verything pottGble We c'rii see, however. that VI were failing more rapidly than some Of tho ejactsd srti- cles But later, when The descent of the balloon was checked we observed one p&z of sand fall irto a haby cer- ricrc, which was smashed to pieces, hut fort'..stely the rurrs Frstched ont the baby sld raved its life
 Both of US spran7 un anS hel6 on to the rirg above, hoping Tn this way to avoid the crash Then above us could be seen the envelope gradually spreading out We contrue1 to fall with terrific speed until sort oe rs"a, chute ha6 been formed. and then wc knev ih7S unless . further n''thsr oc- currei we would probably he saved from death
 "Our speed d.d not decrease as much as we should have liked and we were moving al rapid pace when we reach. cd tho tops of ths high houses in thc streets which greatly incres sed the danger. We passed over one roof al. most touching it and still holding or to the ring. We avoided the next block but finally struck the mansard roof Of a house In the block adjoining and tn: net and envelope fell 10 the opposite side The basket crashed against tht tiles and went partly through into ar occupied room, The man in the room vas terrified, but recovering himself assisted US to the roof, down thYougl the daylight and 10 the street below where the crowd cheered us and shool our hands. Neither Post nor nysel was seriously hurt I have cramps O the body, but otherwise 1 am sll right
 "1 could cry with vexation,' contin ued the aeronaut After coming SC far to take part in the race and thel to be knocked out by such an accident cannot say now what was the caus' of the catastrophe which 1 will investl gate to- morrow. r was our good for tune to be up SO high otherwise tht balloon could not have formed Itself In to a parachute. We owe our deliver ance to that occurrence
 All the competitors in the race art provided With rations for three days This is the third international balloor cup race for the James Gordon Bonnet trophy The first race was held a Par Is fin 1906 and was won by Lieut. Frarp L&hm cf the [. s Cavalry by z flight Of 402 miles The second con test was held under the auspices of thc Aero cluh of America at St Louis r October, l9oi lt was won by the Ge, man balloon 'fommern" which lsnde, e Asbury Park, X Jo having covered f3A miles ID au aI l.ue