They left the earth at twenty-five minutes before 7 p.m. with two barometers standing at thirty inches each.
One of these instruments, as well as a thermometer, was furnished by Mr. Rush, constructed on the most accurate principles, and made expressly for the purpose.
The thermometer stood at 66° Fahrenheit.
The following were the variations:—
| Barometer. | Thermometer. | |||
| 30 | inches. | 66 | degrees. | |
| 23 | ” | 56 | ” | |
| 21 | ” | 53 | ” | |
| 19 | ” | 46 | ” | |
| 18 | ” | 42 | ” | |
| 17 | ” | 39 | ” | |
| 16 | ” | 35 | ” | |
| 15 | ” | 25 | ” | |
| Greatest altitude | 14·70 | ” | 25 | ” |
On first rising they took a north-westerly direction; at 2,500 it changed to the north, and shortly afterwards to north-east.
Their journey was pursued towards Epping, and they were discharging ballast all the time. Leaving Dunmow to their left they attained their greatest altitude, namely, 19,335 feet, or three and a half miles and 855 feet.
In consequence of the great quantity of sand discharged after clearing the Metropolis their ascent became very rapid, and, from the great expansion of the inflating power, the gas rushed out from the lower valve in considerable torrents.
The velocity of their upward progress caused the balloon to rotate in a spiral motion with astonishing rapidity.
During their trip about 1,200 pounds of ballast was discharged, but they reserved 100 pounds by which to regulate the descent.