Fig. 298.—The “Eagle” of M. Godard.
Some beautiful effects may be witnessed at night from a balloon, and considering the few accidents there have been in proportion to the number of ascents, we do not wonder at balloon voyages being undertaken for mere pleasure. When science has to be advanced there can be no objection made, for then experience goes hand-in-hand with caution. It is only the ignorant who are rash; the student of Nature learns to respect her, and to attend to her admonitions and warnings in time. The details of the ascents of famous aeronauts give us a great deal of pleasant and profitable reading. The phenomena of the sky and clouds, and of the heavens, are all studied with great advantage from a balloon, or “aerostat,” as it is the fashion to call it. The grand phenomena of “Ulloa’s circles,” or anthelia, which represent the balloon in air, and surrounded by a kind of glory, or aureola, like those represented behind saintly heads, appear, as the name denotes, opposite to the sun.
The various experiments made to ascertain the intensity of sounds have resulted in the conclusion that they can be heard at great distances. For instance, the steam whistle is distinctly audible 10,000 feet up in the air, and human voices are heard at an altitude of 5,000 feet. A man’s voice alone will penetrate more than 3,000 feet into the air; and at that elevation the croaking of frogs is quite distinguishable. This shows that sound ascends with ease, but it meets with great resistance in its downward course, for the aeronaut cannot make himself audible to a listener on the earth at a greater distance than 300 or 400 feet, though the latter can be distinctly heard at an elevation of 1,600 feet. The diminution of temperature noted by M. Flammarion is stated to be 1° Fahr. for every 345 feet on a fine day. On a cloudy day the mean decrease was 1° for every 354 feet of altitude. The temperature of clouds is higher than the air surrounding them, and the decrease is more rapid near the surface, less rapid as the balloon ascends. We may add that at high elevations the cork from a water-bottle will pop out as if from a champagne flask.
We have hitherto referred more to M. Flammarion and other French aeronauts, but we must not be considered in any way oblivious of our countrymen, Messrs. Glaisher, Green, and Coxwell, nor of the American,—one of the most experienced of aerial voyagers,—Mr. Wise. The scientific observations made by the French voyagers confirmed generally Mr. Glaisher’s experiments. This noted air-traveller made twenty-eight ascents in the cause of science, and his experiences related in “Travels in the Air,” and in the “Reports” of the British Association, are both useful and entertaining. For “Sensational ballooning” one wishes to go no farther than his account of his experience with Mr. Coxwell, when (on the 5th of September, 1862) he attained the greatest elevation ever reached, viz., seven miles, or thirty-seven thousand feet.
We condense this exciting narrative for the benefit of those who have not seen it already.
The ascent was made from Wolverhampton. At 1.39 p.m., the balloon was four miles high, the temperature was 8°, and by the time the fifth mile had been reached the mercury was below zero, and up to this time observations had been made without discomfort, though Mr. Coxwell, having exerted himself as aeronaut, found some difficulty in breathing. About 2 o’clock, the balloon still ascending, Mr. Glaisher could not see the mercury in the thermometer, and Mr. Coxwell had just then ascended into the ring above the car to release the valve line which had become twisted. Mr. Glaisher was able to note the barometer, however, and found it marked 10 inches, and was rapidly decreasing. It fell to 9¾ inches, and this indicated an elevation of 29,000 feet! But the idea was to ascend as high as possible, so the upward direction was maintained. “Shortly afterwards,” writes Mr. Glaisher, “I laid my arm upon the table possessed of its full vigour, and on being desirous of using it I found it powerless,—it must have lost power momentarily. I tried to move the other arm, and found it powerless also. I then tried to shake myself, and succeeded in shaking my body. I seemed to have no limbs. I then looked at the barometer, and whilst doing so my head fell on my left shoulder.”
Mr. Glaisher subsequently quite lost consciousness, and “black darkness” came. While powerless he heard Mr. Coxwell speaking, and then the words, “Do try, now do.” Then sight slowly returned, and rousing himself, Mr. Glaisher said, “I have been insensible.” Mr. Coxwell replied, “You have, and I, too, very nearly.” Mr. Coxwell’s hands were black, and his companion had to pour brandy upon them. Mr. Coxwell’s situation was a perilous one. He had lost the use of his hands, which were frozen, and had to hang by his arms to the ring and drop into the car. He then perceived his friend was insensible, and found insensibility coming on himself. There was only one course to pursue—to pull the valve line and let the gas escape, so as to descend. But his hands were powerless! As a last resource he gripped the line with his teeth, and bending down his head, after many attempts succeeded in opening the valve and letting the gas escape. The descent was easily made, and accomplished in safety.
Fig. 299.—A descending balloon.