Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. IX.—February, 1851.—Vol. II.Various
General
Harper's New Monthly Magazine, No. IX.—February, 1851.—Vol. II.
Various
American literature -- Periodicals; Civilization -- Periodicals; Culture -- Periodicals
From the experience of his numerous aerial excursions, Mr. Wise is of
opinion, that, at a considerable elevation, there is a constant and
regular current of wind blowing at all times, from west to east, with a
velocity of from twenty to forty, and even sixty miles per hour,
according to its height from the earth. On the strength of this
conviction, he believes it to be perfectly practicable and safe, not
only to cross the Atlantic, but even to circumnavigate the globe, in a
balloon; and he has expressed his readiness to undertake either of these
voyages. About the beginning of the year 1843, he actually proposed to
some gentlemen of the city of Philadelphia, the project of making an
aerial trip across the Atlantic, in undertaking which, he assured them,
he would have as little hesitation as about embarking in the most
approved steam-vessel that plied between the ports of New York and
Liverpool. At first, supposing him to be in jest, they expressed their
willingness to promote the design, but finding that he was in sober
earnest, they began to evince conscientious scruples as to the
responsibility they would incur, if by any chance his life should fall
a sacrifice to the bold adventure. He next determined to petition the
Congress of the United States, at their ensuing session, for the
necessary pecuniary means; and flattering himself with the hope of the
success of his application, to provide against the accidents which might
arise from opposing local currents and storms, or from omissions,
imperfections, and unforeseen necessities attendant upon all first
trials, he issued a proclamation, addressed to all publishers of
newspapers in the world, announcing it as his intention to make a trip
across the Atlantic in a balloon in the summer of 1844, and calling upon
the seafaring community of all climes not to be alarmed should they
happen to be in the vicinity of a balloon, either on the ocean or in the
atmosphere, but endeavor to give aid to the adventurers. He proposed to
have for the car a sea-worthy boat, which would be of service in case
the balloon should fail to accomplish the voyage; and the crew was to
consist of three individuals--an aeronaut, a sea-navigator, and a
scientific landsman.
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