Carlisle Patriot, 15 Oct 1825 - Messrs. GREEN's Balloon (2)

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Saturday 15 Oct 1825   (p. 3, col. 1-2)

 

MESSRS. GREEN'S BALLOON.

 

[continued]

 

Mr. GREEN took up with him a new barometer which he received from London that morning. From a short communication with which he has favoured us, we are given to understand that his greatest altitude was just a mile and a half. He says:

 

"After remaining in the atmosphere 44 minutes, with much pleasure to myself, and, I hope, with equal satisfaction to the friends who patronized my undertaking, I effected a safe landing in a pasture field in the occupation of William WINTER, Esq. of Billestan, in the parish of Haltwhistle, upon the estate of the Earl of Carlisle. I take this opportunity of returning my warmest acknowledgments to W. WINTER, Esq. for his prompt assistance on the occasion; also to Major MOUNSEY, for the hospitable reception which I afterwards experienced at his hands at Gilsland."

 

The descent took place near Gapshields, we understand, a little more than a mile from Gilsland Spa, in the presence of a great number of persons, who did all in the way of assistance that the æronaut could desire. A correspondent relates, below, a singular incident which attended it.

 

The gas having been expelled, and the machine properly secured, Mr. GREEN repaired to Gilsland, at the invitation of Major MOUNSEY, where he dined with that Gentleman, and a rather numerous party, among whom was Mrs. HOWARD of Corby-Castle, who expressed great delight at having had so fine a view of the descent. Having spent a few hours with his kind entertainer, Mr. GREEN set out for Carlisle in a post-chaise, and safely arrived about one in the morning, though upset in the road between Gilsland and Brampton, owing to the darkness of the night. After a very short repose, he left Carlisle, per coach, for Richmond, Yorkshire, where he intends to ascend on the 18th, from the Castle; an undertaking not a little arduous, for the gasometer of that town contains only 3000 cubic feet, whereas the quantity wanted is nearly 16,000; consequently the inflation will occupy several days.

 

We subjoin the following communications from our friends in the east:—

 

Extract of a letter from Brampton:—"The inhabitants of Brampton and its vicinity, were highly gratified on Tuesday, by a perfect view of Mr. GREEN's Balloon, which went right over the town, and from the sun shining brilliantly upon it it had a most splendid appearance. Mr. G. was saluted with three cheers by a party assembled on the Moat, as he passed over their heads, and some of the very quick-sighted were positive that they saw him wave his hat in return. He descended in safety, in a field, near Gilsland. But at night, while on his way to Carlisle, the chaise was unluckily overset between Gilsland and Brampton—without material injury, however, to himself or the balloon, which was securely packed on the top of the vehicle."

 

Extract of another letter dated Gilsland, Oct. 12:—"It has seldom occurred, I believe, that hare-killing and balloon-catching should take place at the same moment, but such was the case yesterday near Gilsland. Major MOUNSEY of the Shaws, desired that the hounds might be led out in the morning, in order that if Mr. GREEN should happen to steer his course for Gilsland (the state of the wind promising such an occurrence), the hunters might be in readiness to receive him and give him every assistance in their power. It happened that just as the last hare was killed, the ærial traveller was seen approaching the spot where the hunters stood in a body; it was at once agreed that the hare should be presented to him, and before Mr. GREEN touched the earth, puss was thrown into the car beside him, on which he observed with a smile, "It is not very common for me to receive the present of a hare before I land." Long may it be remembered in Gilsland, that as soon as the Balloon was seen approaching that place, the welcome visitant was greeted with three times three cheers by the whole movable population—from children of four years of age, to men and women of four-score!"

 

Letter from Walton, a village nine miles E. N. E. from Carlisle:—"At 45m. after 3 P. M. the balloon was observed in the horizon, ascending steadily, and equably. After being visible about 12 minutes, it entered a fleecy cloud, which obscured it for a few minutes, when it emerged, and, relieved by a higher range of white clouds, presented a beautiful appearance, as it majestically ascended towards the zenith of the village. Onwards it came; and as the sun's rays fell upon it, assumed the appearance of a globe of gold, beneath which, to the naked eye, the car and other appendages were distinctly visible. After passing the meridian in a direction nearly vertical, the stripes of the balloon on the side illuminated by the sun, were distinctly perceptible, and the end of the car, upon which the rays fell strongest, appeared of a dazzling whiteness. Shortly afterwards, a dense cloud intercepted the view for seven minutes, after which the ærial voyager was again seen, rapidly descending in the direction of Gilsland Spa; and at twenty-three minutes past four, the balloon finally sunk from view, apparently of greater magnitude than when first observed."

 

We have every reason to believe that the Messrs. GREEN have been well remunerated in Carlisle. The gas was charged at a moderate price by the Gas Company; Messrs. PORTER very liberally supplied them with the iron pipes which conveyed the gas from Castle-street to the Castle-yard without charge; and Col. SKERRET's grant of the use of the Castle-green obviated the expense of a temporary inclosure.

 

On the morning of the 6th inst. at 20 minutes before ten o'clock, a small Balloon, inflated with coal gas, was set off by some youths from Messrs. PORTER's foundery in this City: and the following extract of a letter from Mr. Daniel WOOD, dated on the same day from East Wilkwood, shews that it very speedily fell near the Cheviot hills:—"I send you these few lines to let you know that I found a Balloon on Thursday, October 6, 1825, at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, at East Wilkwood, in the county of Northumberland, about six miles south of the Cheviot hills, marked "J. P., G. G., Foundery, Carlisle, Oct. 6, 1825." When first seen it was rolling on the ground. East Wilkwood is situate, (as I have said), about six miles south of the Cheviot hills, in the parish of Allendale, and 22 miles west of Alnwick."