BALLOONING IN FRANCE.

Dunstan Times, Issue 690, 9 July 1875, Page 4

BALLOONING IN FRANCE.

The longest balloon voyage over made has just been accomplished by some members of the French Aerial Navigation Society, who have resolved to undertake a series of night ascents for the purpose qf spectroscopic and electrical observations. The balloon, which was called the Zenith, contained five passengers, and started frem Paris, descending near Bordeaux in twenty-three hours. Several valuable discoveries were made during the trip. The aeronauts met with two currents of air in different directions when sailing over the Landes. In the higher regions a hot wind directed them to the ocean, and lower down at a hundred metres (about 300 feet) from earth a cool breeze took them inland. During the night a clear moon enabled them to see the earth, and about five a.m. the moon was encircled by a splendid cruciform halo. Tho balloon crossed the river Gironde in thirty-five minutes, and despatched four pigeons, none of which, however, have yet reached home. The lowest temperature experienced was four degrees below zero (Cent.) during the night.—Anent balloons, tho cost of one in France appears to be about L2OO. The silk for the upper portion of the balloon is worth 2s 4d per yard, and that of the lower portion, whichmust be considerably stronger as it has to hold the weight of the car and the ropes, about 2s fid a yard. The ropes and car come to L2O, and the labor L4O, and for a balloon of similar size to the Zenith, which made so successful a voyage last week, 1,260 yards of stuff are required. An attempt to cross the Atlantic will be made in the autumn.