PERILOUS ASCENT OF A PARA CHUTIST.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2793, 7 June 1890, Page 6 (Supplement)

PERILOUS ASCENT OF A PARA CHUTIST.

On Saturday afternoon, April 12th intense excitement was cuwed atCroydon' in connection with the ascent from the old Fair-field of "Professor" Biggins, the well-known parachutist. The affair having been well advertised, there was a large attendance, the neighbouring roads, footpaths and fields being crowded. More than usual interest was taken in the proceedings, owing no doubt to the fact that there had never been anything of the kind in Croydon before. The balloon, which was on Saturday named "The Duke's Motto" by the " Professor," and which was of the capacity of 12,000 cubic feet, was fully charged by five o'clock, the time annouueed for the start. At that hour Higgins, addressing the spectators, said the direction of the wind, which was N.E., would necessitate his travelling a considerable distance, but he hoped to have a safe journey, iu which case he would return to the field in half, an-hour. He then embraced his wife, and taking his seat in the ring attached to the balloon, gave the signal to the attendants to " Let go." Amid loud cheering the machine gradually rosp, journeying in the direction of Norwood. Upon reaching a very great altitude the parachute became detached from the side of the balloon. It was evident that the balloon was proceeding upwards at a great rate, as the parachute was fully expanded, although inverted. It soon became apparent that something was wrong with the apparatus, and the excitement was intense when the parachute dropped away from the balloon by itself. Aβ the balloon disappeared iu the clouds there was a general exclamation of horror. The aeronaut's wife was at once surrounded by a crowd of sympathisers. She mentioned that the " Professor" had on a [ previous oocasion lost his parachute while regulating the cords, but the balloon used on Saturday was not fitted with the usual valve, and therefore his position was rendered exceedingly perilous. At dusk nothing had been heard of the parachutist, aud the incident formed the sole topic of conversation in the town. Some hours afterwards, however, a tolegrain was received at Croydon stating that "Professor " Higgins had descended with his balloon on Squire Meadow's farm at Peushurst, near Tunbridge. This was the man's 34th performance, and some of his exhibitions have been attended by great peril. At Lea Bridge ground he sprained his ancle, and in October last he descended into coal mine near Wolverharapton. Hi* wife, who has made 57 ascents, was to have accompanied him on Saturday, but he did not consider it advisable to allow her to do so in such a cold wind.