A BALLOONIST'S EXPERIENCE

Waikato Times, Volume III, Issue 146, 15 April 1873, Page 3

A BALLOONIST'S EXPERIENCE

Ru^aell IJ'nllrr, a young balloonist, who made an ascent from Rome, N.Y., recently, describes lm trip as follows : — '• I stepped into the car at -i p.m. The word? ' let go ! ' were given, and the beautiful little balloon Chenango mounted majestically into the upper regions. I looked around lwe ; the scene had changed. Westward I could see Oaeida Lake, looking like an irregular surface of Mirer. I looked below ; the earth liad become one vast plain, the predominant colour of which w.is green, laid out in sqiMivs, interspersed with glittering, crooked streams, and the tints of forest, which at ihis scisoji of the year are of a reddish brow n. In a circle ot about one hundred miles could see cities and Tillages — fairy palaces they seemed to me, however, .some of them looking no larger than my hand. In a few very minutes uo bring object was distinguishable. I passed through a great white cloud Ou emerging from it I saw c irt'-i again. It heeined perfectly level • every object bad faded. 1 heard a faint whittle irjin a loeoinotivo in the great gulf below. The balloon turned round. I had changed currents of air, and was still rising. I looked at my watch (it was ten minutes past 1), and noticed that it was snowing. In ttvo seconds I was above the snow again. The balloon turneJ, and I had mounted through another thick range of clouds. I iiad completely lost sight and hearing of the e.irtli. All was silent. The sun was shining brightly above; below me, ibrnnug an irregular concave surt'ice, were great pe.irlcoloured clouds, having th<» appearance of mountains of rock loosely laid together. Tins view was enchanting, but I could not long enjoy it. Soon I felt a ringing sensation in iyy head ; j esemed to be sutfo<jating. I attempted to opon ono valve. I noticed that the cord was still* with ice. The valve refused to work, and 1 knew that it was frozen, but something must be done, ai;d quickly. I wound both the valve cords about my arms, and sat down, bringing my whole weight upon them. I heard something snap?, Little drops of ice came through the balloon, striking against my face, and 1 knew the \alve was open. The gas escaped w itii a whizzing sound, aijd I knew that I was descending. I came down a cry rapidly, breaking oil' one pide of a small treo (tearing tho balloon badh ) on the. farm of Mr Reeves Jones, near New Hartford, landing at twentyfive minutes past live. Plenty of assistance wns at hand. I could hardly walk Jor aino'nent, my feet wore so badly eLilled. I cut from the valve solid pieces of ico halt an inu'i thick I earned no ballast, anchor, or vope this trip.