BALLOON DESCENDING.
Air chilly. Therm. 55; Barom. 261⁄2.
Section 92. NO sooner had the Balloon descended within the Influence of the Sea Breeze, than it became instantly condensed by a certain chilliness which then began to prevail.
Balloon in the under Current.
93. This Height has since been considered as the Level of fleecy Vapour, Scud, or lowest Stratum of Clouds, in bright and warm Weather.[28]
No visible Clouds were presented near the Spectator. On the contrary, they seemed to shrink back to the Distance of a Mile round the Eye; and then immediately appear above it, the Balloon continuing to descend. Nor did any circular Horizon of the Earth shew itself; till the Balloon had reached below this Level: viz. Barom. 261⁄2, Thermom. 55. i. e. Temperate.
Prospects were most extensive and beautiful at this Altitude: which the Barometer estimates at full half a Mile.[29]
Looking again at the Barometer, scarce a Minute afterwards; it had risen to 27.
Sudden Effect of cool moist Air on the Balloon.
94. The Condensation by Chill and Moisture, and quick Contraction of its Dimensions acted like a Charm on the Balloon.
In a Moment; as if dropped from the Clouds, the Sea suddenly presented itself.[30] It seemed near, and of a red Colour. Circular Landscapes of the distant Countries filled the Eye.
Almost the whole Extent of the Channel was a perfect Calm: and rather dazled the Sight. But from the Peninsula of Hale to that of Runcorn, and upwards, a partial Breeze from the North-West ruffled the Surface (which was there of a dark and menacing Complexion;) and seemed in its Course to have reached and influenced the Balloon: whose Descent proving more rapid than was expected; the Sand-Bag tyed up, weighing 12 Pounds, was opened, and the Sand dispersed.
Ballast thrown down, 12lb. and 12lb.
95. The Aironaut continuing as before to stand upright in the Car, and having resumed his Card and Pencil; Thermometer again at 55°, on finding the Descent not sufficiently retarded, wrote swiftly, “no more remarks, mind the ship:” meaning the Balloon: and briskly stooping for the second Bag of Sand, weighing likewise 12 Pounds, dispersed it by Handfulls in the same Manner.
Descent at first rapid.
96. The circular Mouth of the Balloon continuing wide open, at about 18 Inches Diameter; so much cool and moist Air rushed in during the Descent; that, tho’ its Momentum or acquired Motion was retarded by Dispersion of the Ballast, it had not yet recovered an actual levity: being too near the Ground before the second Bag was discharged.
Presuming however that 24 Pounds Weight of Ballast thrown out, was sufficient to break the Fall, tho’ in a cool moist condensing Atmosphere of pure defloguisticated Air; the Event of landing was waited for.
A depressing Torrent of Air on the Balloon.
It has been since imagined that a heavy depressing torrent of cool Air took Place from the North-West at a certain Height over the Water, and assisted the Descent of the Balloon.
The Balloon descended with a rushing Noise.
97. In order to judge with what Rapidity the Balloon descended, when so low as to be within the Influence of the under Current, while the cool moist Air rushed in at the Bottom, and most probably pressed out the Gass; the following Intelligence has been communicated by a Person of Veracity.
Anecdote shewing the Rapidity of Descent, at first.
As two credible Farmers were working, with their Servants, in the harvest; on hearing a hollow, rushing Sound in the Air, which they took to be a Whirl-wind, or distant Thunder, and which seemed every Moment to encrease and approach them; they all retreated under a large Oak. While there, they first perceived the swift Descent of the Balloon. Two, who were afraid of Thunder, then began to take Courage, boldly exclaiming they shoud never fear Thunder again, since the Falling of a Balloon coud be attended with so terrible a Noise.
