The Fulton County news. [volume] (McConnellsburg, Pa.) 1899-current, 1910-04-07

Stettin, Germany (speciaD The
German balloon Ponmern. which
made an ascension here, met with
series of accidents which ended in
a disaster under most tragic cir
cumstances in the Baltic Sea.
Three men lost their lives, including
the radical member of the ReiChs-
tag, Werner Hugo Delbrueck Herr
Delbrueck and another member OF
the party were drowned, a third oc-
cupant of the car was picked up un-
conscious and died from his injuries,
while the fourth was rescued in
serious condition.
The Pommern, carrying Del
brueck who was acting as pilot;
banker, Herr Sommelhardt; an ar
chitect, Herr Benduhn, and a man
named Helm, ascended early in the
afternoon at the gas works. The
wind at the time blowing a hurri-
cane. and the Pommern broke away
before she had been completely ball
lasted
A chapter of accidents began i'm
mediately. The balloon collided
with telegraph wires, which broke
almost overturning the basket. 1t
then dashed into the roof of neigh
boring factory, destroying the
smokestack With the basket sway
ing wildly, and half of its ropes cut.
the balloon scared to a great alti-
tude and disappeared in the clouds
at a terrific speed.
Rises 5000 Feet.
Thousands of onlookers, including
detachment of military, which
had assisted in the ascent, ran along
the roads, expecting the basket 20
break away. The balloon, however,
was not seen again until it reached
Swinemunde, sc miles northwest of
Stettin, over which 1t passed at a
height of 5000 feet, in the direction
OF the sea. Tugs followed in it's
track, and one of them which had
outdistanced the others, was almost
directly under it. when suddenly the
balloon fell into the sea. The tug
steamed to the spot quickly, but the
work of rescue was difficult. AL
ready Delbrueck and Benduhn had
Disappeared, but Sommelhardt and
Helm we're clinging to the ropes, and
they were dragged aboard the ves-
sci.
Describing their terrible expert
ences, Herr Sommelhardt, when he
had been somewhat revived, said:
"Our collision with the telegraph
lines and the factory roof had the
most horrible consequences. Del
brueck sustained a broken leg and
severe injury of the head. Ben
duhn had an arm and leg fractured.
Helm received bad contusions of the
head. | was knocked senseless, but
TnrnpnrnH in ny 70 Rnd that
/ had a crushed knee and chest.
The network around the envelope
was torn in such a manner that we
feared every second the gas bag
would slip out, and we would dash
to the earth from height of 5000
feet, to which we had ascended like
a fash.
Awaited Their Fate.
"Delbrueck, in spite of his awful
condition, vainly endeavored TO open
the valve, which had become en-
tangled. We knew not what to do,
but merely awaited our fate.
In the meantime we passed over
Swinemunde at a great altitude and
soon found ourselves above the sea.
We thought possibly that We might
land in Sweden. but the balloon was
caught In rain cloud, which drove
us down until we were within $50
feet OF the water Delbrueck was
suffering agony, but he succeeded in
pulling the ripping cord, and we fell
into the water like log All man
aged to get clear of the basket. I,
with Helm, swan and caught hold OF
the network, but Delbrueck and Ben
duhn sank. ] remembered no more
until l found myself in the boat
which rescued u.s."
Helm died soon after being taken
on the tug, and Delbruecks body
was washed ashore.