Year: 1875

Prof. DOnaIdsOn,s Recent Ascension


from TorOnt0-A Night over Lake


OntariO-The Basket Four Hours


Submerged-The Rescue.


In our last issue we presented brief
statement concerning the thrillingly haz
ardous voyage over Lake Ontario made
by the HippodrOme balloon with Prof w.
II. Donaldson and three Toronto newspa-
per representatives. The Toronto Leader
of yesterday morning chronicles the safe
return to that city of the heroes of the
rough experience alluded to- and pub
fishes a graphic account of the voyage as
given by their reporter, who was one o.
the party. ~ &H


From the time of the ascension, halfpast
five O'Clock Wednesday afternoon, the bal
loon was driven in an easterly direction,
and when in the vicinity of Scarboro was
driven some miles out over the lake.
Donaldson comprehended the situation
and advised the passengers that they
might count upon night over the
lake, not seefIl,g 10 disguise the diff
culties and danger which were apparent
TO his experienced mind. A variation
of the wind carried them within a
mile of the town of Whitley and hopes
were entertained of making landing
there, but these expectations were speedily
dissipated by another shift, which carried
the balloon far out over the waters, so that
both shores were in view, Then, in the
words of the reporter, the wind again
vecred round and they neared the north
shore soon arriving within five miles of
land, probably in the neighbOrhOod of
Coburg. Then the balloon, which had
not been properly inflated for long voy-
age-all those on board expecting only to
be absent for few hOurs,-began to de-
scend, and at 3 As the drag-rope touched
the water The descent now became much
more rapid, and second after second the
water appeared with greater distinctness.
Bag after bag of sand was thrown out, and
the excitement became most intense, and
at the same time most interesting, to those
who were being carried through the air


The basket began TO oscillate in the most
violent manner, and, by the, explanation
of the professor they found that this was
caused by the motion of the waves in the
lake below No perceptible difference
was to be discovered in the downward mo-
tion of the balloon. In halt a minute
from the time the rocking of the basket
was first observed the car was submerged
to the extent of about two feet, AT the
same time the balloon Kept the most per
feet equilibrium. There was then nc
longer hesitation about getting rid of thu
sand, and all was throwhAOnt with the ex
ception of few bags, which were re
served in the event of still greater emer
gency. Far out into the lake they were
still driven $and very Soon tic opposite
shore Eas,as near as that which had beer
left; IN fact, from appearances rathe
nearer. Donaldson requested all to keel
n sharp lookout for any vessel that nigh
be passing, and at length their hope
were raised by comingin sight of a schoon
or about eight O'Clock, but those on boarC
probably did not understand the shout
from the luckless occupants OF tn


basket, and she sailed away into the mis-
without seeking to render any assistance
From this time for mile after mile tn


balloon travelled toward the headsOf tn


lake, and tha saply kope wasthat favor
able wind miglM rae and carry them 4
some friendly shore. Nothing but disap


pointments took place, Several vessel


were sighted, but all of them without tn


limit TO, which the human Yoioo c0ulI


reach. About twelve O'CLOCK the balloon


again commenced to descend, and sool


reached about forty feet off the water


Everything gradually went overheard
Prof. Donaldson giving the word whel
the various articles were 10 be throw


out. The anchor went first, then the an
chor rope then went aportion of the drag
rope some fifty feet in length. Thi
p tightening of the balloon was of som
avail for the time being but il soon bega
TO near the water again. Then overcoai


and every. ayailable aTticle went ovef th


side. Still they descended, and at abou
: 1915 touched the water.


. From this time up 10 the rescue the ba