CHAPTER XV.
Balloon over Aston-House, at 4 Minutes past III, and near a Mile high.
Section 85.AT 4 Minutes past III, the Balloon remained vertically over the River, and over the elegant Mansion called Aston.
Wind below.
86. A Wind was heard below for a few Seconds: and the Air felt a little cool. Thermometer 55, or Temperate: Barometer 251⁄2, corresponding to the Height of near a Mile.[27]
The Balloon going to Sea, determined the Aironaut to descend, in Hopes of finding a Sea-Breeze in Time.
87. The Balloon continuing its eccentric Movements from Side to Side across the Meadows; yet still gliding down the River, in a North-West by North Direction, almost at right Angles to that which it before had held; consequently towards the Sea, and in a Line which continued must pass throu’ the Center of the Channel: some Step it was necessary to take, and soon. By throwing out Ballast, the Balloon woud instantly rise: but it woud probably, as before, rise into a Calm, and therefore descend nearly in the same Line: which woud merely protract the Time till the Balloon had reached the Center of the Channel: where, having no Resource, the Ballast being then expended; there might be some Risque in waiting for a Vessel, tho’ the Balloon woud not for several Hours, have lost its levitating Power, so as to have sunk with the Aironaut. To him however it immediately occurred, that there might be an under Current of Air, as usual in the Middle of the Day, blowing from Sea to Land: and, that if the Balloon was made to descend quickly into the Sea-Breeze; it might, in a few Minutes, be carried so far within the Country, as to be soon beyond the Influence of the Sea and River: and then, by throwing out some Pounds of Ballast, woud return into the upper Current, and pursue a safe Course towards Manchester; or even towards Prescot and Liverpool, if an easterly Wind prevailed above.
88. In Consequence of these Expectations; he looked downwards towards the Sea, then wholly invisible; tho’ the Murmuring of its Waves was more plainly heard.
Smoke blown to Land by a Sea-Breeze.
Thick Smokes were distinguished issuing from different Places along the Marsh near the Coast: and apparently skirting the Ground, as if impelled by a brisk Wind from the Sea.
89. No Time was to be lost.
The Balloon having reached the Cascade; and continuing to move more regularly along the Course of the River, past the Bridge, and proceeded to Rock-Savage.
The Balloon still going to Sea, the Mouth was opened.
90. The Neck or Mouth which remained shut, by its own Pressure against the Outside of the upper Hoop, as it lay over it; was instantly brought within the Hoop, and set wide open in a perpendicular Situation.
Not more than a Couple of Minutes had elapsed before Sounds were more audible and louder.
Cattle and Corn in the Fields became visible.
Ballast in Hand ready to throw out.
91. The Observer very deliberately stooping to put down his Card and Pencil; with his left Hand grasping the Hoop of the Car, and with his Right holding a Sand-Bag, to throw over as he approached the Earth; found that the Balloon was influenced by an under Current blowing from the Sea: and marked his Progress by the half Mile white Flag; whose Stretcher having acquired a Position parallel to the Plane of the Horizon, placed the Flag in an excellent Point of View: the Balloon towing it apparently with a slow Motion, over the distant Tops of the dark-green Trees.
