Rensselaer Union, Volume 7, Number 3, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 8 October 1874 — A Remarkable Balloon Voyage. [ARTICLE]

A Remarkable Balloon Voyage.

They who sail the air in balloons experience as great if not greater perils than they who go down to the sea in ships. The recent aerial voyage of M. Durouf and his wife was fraught with such appalling danger as to make it one of the most remarkable in the history of aeronautics. On the evening of the last day of August they left Calais. For 330 yards they sailed in a northerlv direction, but their course was suddenly changed to the northeast, and they stood out to sea. Beneath them plainly glimmered the beacons of both the English and French lighthouses. No vessel was seen upon the waves and the night was gathering fast. As his course indicated that he was making for England the imperiled aeronaut saw the necessity of economizing his ballast and passed the night in watching the extremity of his rope, seventy-seven yards long." Whenever it touched the water he threw out a small quantity of ballast, and, at daylight, all the remainder of the light ballast. For a time his situation was nearly similar to that of the ancient mariner, who was *• Alone, alone, all. all alone On a deep and boondle*? sea." After a time, being then a mile in midair, he sighted some small ci-aft, and rather than take the chances of being driven northward by an air current he decided to lower himself into the water, hoping that he might be picked up. A fishing smack seeing his maneuver endeavored to cross his path. Into the rough sea went the heavy ballast, and finally the valve was opened and the balloon descended until the ropes trailed in the water. But the under current of air swept the silken past the oaken vessel and the poor voyagers seemed lost. Still dauntless, monsieur cheered his wife and preserved his own coolness. To stop the speed of the balloon in order that a small boat which had pul off from the fishing smack might reach him he continued to spring the valve until the car filled with water. Tremendous waves dashed over the balloon and soon the boat was lost to sight. After a time, however, it was again seen making for the imperiled passengers with all the vigor which lusty brawn and willing heart could impart. Madame was so benumbed with cold that her husband was compelled to hold her in his arms lest she should be washed from the car into the raging sea. Nothing but hope in the oncoming boat saved his courage. Soon she reached the car and hook hold of the balloon rope but was in danger of swamping from the strong jerks of the air vessel. The poor, corpse-like wife was transferred with infinite trouble, her husband the while endeavoring to cat the ropes which held the inflated bag to the car. Presently he was dashed against the boat, luckily falling into it ; the balioon, relieved of the weight, bounded up and was borne off toward

Norway, while the brave navigators of the (sea* carried the rescued sailors of the air safe itfto Grimsby, England.