Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-09-30
BALLOON BURSTS
AND KILLS FOUR
French Dirigible 500 Feet in Air
When Propeller Broke and
Cut Envelope.


Mouths, France. Sept 26.--While pass
ing over the national road which leads
from Paris to Antilles, and when NJ
height Of between 200 and GOO feet. the
French diriri3le military balloon Repub-
lioue exploded yesterday morning and
fell 20 the ground The -four men on
board were killed. They were Captain
Marchal. Lieut. Phaure and Sub-Leuts.
and Reux.
An examina ton % the airShi1 disclosed
the caure Of the accident Tho axle Of
the right propeller had broken and the
propeller had passed through the envel-
opc, falling in field about $50 yards
away.
1t was the intention OF Captain Mar
chnl. who was IN charge OF the a!rship,
to stop at Nevers, and an automobile
containing mcchanicians was following
tho balloon. IT was almost directly be-
meath it when the disaster occurred. The
car fell straight down carrying the nut
tering remnants OF the envelope and tho
occupants were buried beneath the
wreckagc All were dead except Lieut..
Phaure, but he lived only a few minutes
after being removed.
FELL, LIKE a STONE
Lieut. Tixier, who was In command OF
the automobile. saws that the balloon sud
denly burst and collapsed. X seemed 10
oscillate violently a moment prior to this
n. though II had been struck, and II fell
with the rapdity Of stone. Wh"' ne
reached the wrcckagc the car was COM
plctely covered with the envelope, and
not sound came from beneath.
when the envelope was removed
the spectacle was appalling. The car
had been literally crushed. and amid
the mass of tangled steel and wire
every man. except Phaure. could be
seen at his post. Capt. Marchal was
in sitting posture his body thrown
back and his eyes wide open. The
bodies OF the sub -lieutenants lay
mangled beneath the cylinder of the
motor Phaure's body was lying halt
outside. as II possibly he had tried to
jump during the descent. Apparently
death In the case OF the three men
had been instan tsneous from the
shock when they struck the earth and
the weight OF the heavy rigging
above. Capt. Marchal's skull was
crushed.
The dirieible balloon Rerublique be-
| longing to the French war depart
ment. made her initial flight AT Sois-
sons. June "a, 1905 carrying a cargo
Of $500 pounds. including the crew.
Early this month the RepubliGue was
seriously damaged in a wind storm at
Nevers France, on her way to Meu-
don, 10 take part In the military
| manoeuvres Repairs were made
later and the machine was supposed
to be as good rs new.
She took part in tie marocuvres Mt
La Palisse ard attracted great atten =
ten. having ascertained and disclosed
to the army Of the defence the plan OF
the enemy's campaign
AVIATORs NOT DISCOURAGED.
Parts, Sept. .s.-The disaster to the
military dirisible balloon RnpubliGue,
In which four French officers lost
their lives. coming on the heels OF tho
death Of Lefehvre and Captain Fer
Der and the loss OF the Patrie, has
plunged France In mourning, but pub
Nc opinion. as reflected by the com
mcnts of the press. hravcly supports
the opinion OF the avintors that re
human sacrifice can now discoura re
the conquest of tie ctr. The Temps
announces n national subscription &c
aid military asrostatics In memory o.
the dead officers. Among the condol-
enccy received from all parts of tbs
world none - more appreciated than c
personal message from, The Emperol
of Germany
Subsequent investigation fully con
firms the fact that the accident wa
due to the swapping Of RAPIDLY re
voIvirg propeller blade which tor
through the gas hag. General Rogue
reports that there was no trace OF fr
about the silk. thus disposing Of tn
hypothesis Of an explosion.
The experts agree that such mis-
han can he prevented in the futur
y by the Introduction Of n series Of col
. lular ballooncttes "a in tho Tepprli
= airship which would keep 'he Graf
. anoat il ono Of tho compartments wa
9 pierced.
ROOMS TIE AEROPLANE'
General Drun, minister of war, In
+ interview. expresses the opinion tn
: dlrisihe balloons for war purposes "
n soon DO s,pplanted by perfected aer
- ,,,rcs He says that he does II
:, minimize the services the dirisih'cs a
. .o,,o ~ wandering In war but beiev
II tbot thcv can never he brought to poi
,,,horo they will become first class o
&c gines of war.
"Thcv will remain valuable" he co
,,rued "for Intermediary service. b
at,.