CHAPTERLIIII.ANOTHER METHOD OF SUSTAINING A BALLOON OVER WATER, WITHOUT LOSS OF GASS, OR OF BALLAST.Section 295.Let the Ballast consist of that Kind of Rope (wound on a Reel) that is either by Nature or Art,specificallylighter than fresh Water: as ahollow cylindricalRope of Silk, in which Corks are thrust: the Silk to be dipped into elastic Varnish, to prevent the Absorption of Water into the Pores: or a common Rope well varnished; or covered over with a cylindric Case of varnished Silk, might answer the same Intention, if Corks or Bladders were tyed at proper Distances: in which Case, the Rope might, at the first Ascent of the Balloon, hang from the Center above the Car, at its full Extent, suppose a Mile or a Mile and half in Length, without the Encumbrance of a Reel.If Bladders are used; those that hang near the Car shoud not be more thanhalf blown.By the above Expedient; as soon as the Balloon began to decline, from Evaporation ofGass, or Depression of the Atmosphere, and the lowest Part of the Rope touched the Water; the Balloon woud continue to levitate, in Proportion to the Quantity of Rope sustained on the Surface of the Water.The Aironaut woud move lessswiftindeed, but more conveniently; as he woud not be obliged to riseabovethe Wind: but be able tolower, andraisehimself at Pleasure:first, by pulling up a Part of the Rope into the Car; and having theremade it fast;Secondly, by cutting away, as he saw Occasion, the loose End, and Folds of the Rope so drawn into the Car with him.
CHAPTERLIIII.
Section 295.Let the Ballast consist of that Kind of Rope (wound on a Reel) that is either by Nature or Art,specificallylighter than fresh Water: as ahollow cylindricalRope of Silk, in which Corks are thrust: the Silk to be dipped into elastic Varnish, to prevent the Absorption of Water into the Pores: or a common Rope well varnished; or covered over with a cylindric Case of varnished Silk, might answer the same Intention, if Corks or Bladders were tyed at proper Distances: in which Case, the Rope might, at the first Ascent of the Balloon, hang from the Center above the Car, at its full Extent, suppose a Mile or a Mile and half in Length, without the Encumbrance of a Reel.
If Bladders are used; those that hang near the Car shoud not be more thanhalf blown.
By the above Expedient; as soon as the Balloon began to decline, from Evaporation ofGass, or Depression of the Atmosphere, and the lowest Part of the Rope touched the Water; the Balloon woud continue to levitate, in Proportion to the Quantity of Rope sustained on the Surface of the Water.
The Aironaut woud move lessswiftindeed, but more conveniently; as he woud not be obliged to riseabovethe Wind: but be able tolower, andraisehimself at Pleasure:first, by pulling up a Part of the Rope into the Car; and having theremade it fast;
Secondly, by cutting away, as he saw Occasion, the loose End, and Folds of the Rope so drawn into the Car with him.