Year: 1859




We have already noticed tho ascension from
the Fair Grounds, on Thursday, by Mr.. Coe and
Mr. Joseph s. Cottman, and briefly recorded
their rapid descent, which was owing to an &C.
cident to the balloon which took them skyward
Yesterday we met the gentlemen who made the
exciting trip, and from their own lips learned
the particulars Of the voyage. The following
is the narrative of Messrs Coo and Cottman


They started at precisely four O'Clock the
ascent was rapid after reaching an altitude OF
about two hundred feet. The balloon at first
took northwesterly course, but, at a height OF
Of about mile, took due south course for a
distance Of about FIVE miles then, at hight OF
over two miles, the balloon struck the famous
southeasterly current 30 often alluded to by bal
loonists.


The body Of the balloon was constantly ex-
panding from tho effects of the heat and air.
There were clouds below, floating In the air,
and the reflection of the suns light upon the
air vessel was very perceptible. The glare at
times was almost binding. When the easterly
current was reached, the balloon drfted toward
the east at o speed OF about thirty miles per-
hour, and the voyagers we're In high glee At
this point the scene below was grand In the sx-
treme the earth had almost assumed the as
pect of piece Of mosaic work small objects
were not visible, yet streams, villages and cities
were disoernable as distinct objects on the sur
face.


About twenty minutes before five, Mr.. Coe
discovered that a part Of the apparatus pertain
Ing to the safety-vulve Of his balloon was de-
ranged. and was so located that it could not be
restored. He at once attempted to discharge
tho gas from the upper valve, in order to de-
scend-conscious that the difficulty alluded to
could not be overcome. The valve at the top
worked well-but the pressure on the safety
valve, (Which had been deranged) from the low
or part Of the balloon, was so great that an ex-
plosion followed, causing rent in the balloon,
from the lower valve to its greatest circumfer-
ence. The rent was some forty feet In length.


The sound accompanying the explosion was
about equivalent TO the discharge of musket.
In about one minute after, the descent was so
rapid as to increase the rent of the texture of
the balloon about fifty feet, thus leaving almost
the entire upper portion of the air vessel open.
In half minute after, the second rent was dis
covered, there was not foot of gas in the bal
loon. For nearly half mile, the voyagers
came down at most terrific speed-fesling the
same sensation that one experiences in high
swing in rapid motion. The silk and cordage.
as the balloon osciated, caused rattling sound
like the rigging of ship In o storm.


Descending half a mile, the main portion Of
the balloon was thrown on one side of the net
ting and caused the air vessel to sway violently
and the basket and passengers were raised to
an even hight with the valve of the vessel itself.
This motion was experienced several times, and
as often was broken by the self possession of the
9ronauts In changing their position in the car.
Finally this swaying motion was increased by
the voyagers until they succeeded in forming q
parachute of the remnants OF the balloon, when
the rapid rate Of speed in their decent was
measurably impeded. During the last half mile
before reaching the earth their rate OF speed
was but trifle more rapid than that of the or
dinary descent Of q we'll ordered balloon.


When reaching point within one hundred
feet of the tops of the trees near Pond Knolls
in the Rome swamp, each of the passengers
having o sand bag ready to throw out, dis.
charged this amount ofweight, and the balloon
concluded its descent with less speed The pas
sengers were suspended some seventy feet In
the air, on the limbs of one OF the talest trees
in the swamp, while the balloon spread itsel
over several other forest trees BY good for
tune, Messrs. Coe and Cottman reached terra
6rma 10 safety, after making q graceful descent
from the tree. Arriving in the swamp in safety
they partook OF refreshments remaining In the
car, aud gave three enthusiastic cheers for The
fortunate result Of their perilous trip.


At the moment of the explosion Mr.. Cottmau
asked MIR. Coe what was to be done The zero
naut assured him the balloon would come dowI
all right, except at fearful rate of speed.


AT once the grapple aud ropes were thrown
out, aud oil the extra weight, excepting th,
sand bags. The eral exoursionists were pOr
fectly cool and conversed together during theil
descent. But for their presence of mind, they
would not probably have escaped alive The.
both assure us that after the balloon had form
cd into parachute, they had not the slightes
fear of harm but for the FIRST few seconds afte
the explosion, when the car and the remnant
of the balloon we're swaying alternately on,
above the other, their fears could not we'll b.
suppressed.