A Sensational Balloon Ascent.

Manawatu Herald, 11 April 1903, Page 2

A Sensational Balloon Ascent.

Mr James Glaisher, who baa just passed away, at the age of 98, had the distinction of having been further from the earth than any other man, with the exception of his companion, Mr Coxwell. It was on September 5, 1862, that the ascended from Wolverhampton in a r balloon with the object of seeing tof what height they could.reach, and, though more than forty years have passed since then, their record of' seven miles has never been touched. At a height of 29,000 ft it was found that the valve rope had become twisted, and Mr Coxwell ascended to loosen it, and, while he was thus i engaged, Mr Glashier suddenly found himself deprived of the use of his limbs. A strange paralysis affected him, and he could only move his body slightly; his arms and legs he could .. not feel at all. He tried to speak to ’ his companion, but he could not, and a moment later his sight failed, and ho was left in a world of blackness and utter silence, unable to move or cry out, yet with an absolutely clear mind. He thought his fate was sealed, and, a little later, Mr Coxwell descending to the car again, found him unconscious. The balloon was still rising, and Mr Coxwell, finding his friend had fainted, strove to pull the valve oord,

but the same paralysis had began to effect him, and bis arms hung uselass by his'sides. He managed, however to get the valve-rope between bis teeth, and by nodding his head to pull if sufficiently to check the upward course of the balloon, and a moment later the descent began. Mr Glashier soon revived, and neither of the Aeronauts experienced any illeffects from their adventures. Mr Glashier, after ho had reached the ground, walked nearly eight miles into Ludlow, the nearest town. It is mentioned that, out of the number of pigeons liberated on the ascent and descent, only one was ever heard of again,