Up in the Clouds: Balloon VoyagesBallantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)
History
Up in the Clouds: Balloon Voyages
Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)
Balloons
A _fete_ was held some years ago in the park of Mr North, Basford, near
Nottingham. Amongst the amusements, it was arranged that Mr Coxwell
should make a balloon ascent. The balloon was almost new, but not of
very large dimensions. After it had been fully inflated, Mr Coxwell
tried it, and found there would be some difficulty in ascending in it,
owing to its weight. At this juncture, a Mr James Chambers, of
Nottingham, who had previously made many ascents, stepped forward and
offered to go in his stead, saying that he was lighter than Mr Coxwell,
and that he wished to make the ascent. After some conversation, it was
agreed that Chambers should go up, but Mr Coxwell told him not to
attempt an ascent unless he felt quite confident that he could manage
the balloon. Chambers replied that he had no fear about managing it,
and accordingly he was allowed to make the ascent. The balloon rose
steadily, and was carried somewhat rapidly in a north-easterly direction
towards Nottingham. It proceeded as far as Arno Vale, when it was seen
suddenly to collapse, while still at a considerable altitude, and then
to fall quickly in an unshapely mass. Some young men who were near the
spot where the balloon fell, hastened to render assistance. The balloon
dropped into the car as it descended, completely covering it, and
ultimately both fell in a field near Scout Lane, three miles from
Nottingham. The car struck the ground and rebounded several feet, and
then fell again, when it was seized and stopped by the young men, who
had followed it. At the bottom of the car lay stretched the body of the
unfortunate aeronaut. He was lifted out and found to be breathing, but
quite insensible. He was conveyed to the nearest dwelling, and means
were adopted to restore animation, but without effect. Two medical
gentlemen, named Robertson and Maltby, afterwards saw him, and it was
discovered that his left thigh was fractured, and some of the ribs on
his left side were broken, but they considered it very probable that the
unfortunate man had died through suffocation, as a handkerchief, which
had been found in his mouth, had probably been placed there by himself
when he found that he was in danger of being stifled by the gas from the
collapsing balloon.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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