CHAPTERXXXXI.CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES WHICH INFLUENCE THE DESCENT OF BALLOONS IN THEIR PASSAGE OVER WATER.Recapitulation of Facts.1.COnjectures concerning the regular Tendency of the Balloon todescendon itsApproachtowardswater.2. ItsgreatestDescent, when in the Zenith, over the Middle of Rivers.3. Recovery andRe-ascentto the former Level, as itrecedesfrom them.Section 229. Article 1. On the first Ascent in the Castle-Yard, Chester, the Balloon gently moved towards the River Dee, and the Sea.And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at that Time, and for two Hours before the Ascent, by the Motion of superior Clouds in a safe Direction towards the Land.229. 2. The Balloon wasaffectedin passing across the River Goway, and Trafford Meadows, which are a Mile wide: first moving Westward, and again towards the Sea; making several Curves: then resting andlingeringbetween Great and Little Barrow: as the Aironaut waswellinformed by Persons ofVeracity, who observed it: his Attention being engaged at that Time by other Objects.229. 3. A proportionable Effect was observed incrossinga small Brook near Alvanley.229. 4. The River Wever and its broad Meadows above Frodsham-Bridge actually stopped the farther Progress of the Balloon: tho’ its Course wasmerelyacrossthe River.The Deviation was gently tho’invariablytowards thesea: and, if nottimelyprevented, the Balloon must have fallen in the Middle of the Channel.229. 5. The same Case woud have happened on the Re-ascent at Bellair; if thelevitatingForce hadnotas at first, overcome the Influence of thewaters, and lifted the Balloon into thesameupper Current, which continued to move in its former safe Direction.229. 6. Different Branches of the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal near Preston-Brook mightpossiblyaffect it in a small Degree: and, tho’ Clouds a little afterwards, secluded the Aironaut from a Sight of the Earth; yet the Balloon was known to hang, for some Time, over the Mersey near Warrington.229. 7. The Balloon descended and alighted on the Middle of a large Tract of wet Moss Ground.The Writer saw Sadler’s Balloon rise at Manchester, the 11th May, 1785, and descend near Blencow-Bridge, at the Conflux oftwoRivers.The above Facts give sufficient Indications of the constant Tendency which Balloons have, to descend on Water.
CHAPTERXXXXI.
Recapitulation of Facts.
1.COnjectures concerning the regular Tendency of the Balloon todescendon itsApproachtowardswater.
2. ItsgreatestDescent, when in the Zenith, over the Middle of Rivers.
3. Recovery andRe-ascentto the former Level, as itrecedesfrom them.
Section 229. Article 1. On the first Ascent in the Castle-Yard, Chester, the Balloon gently moved towards the River Dee, and the Sea.
And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at that Time, and for two Hours before the Ascent, by the Motion of superior Clouds in a safe Direction towards the Land.
229. 2. The Balloon wasaffectedin passing across the River Goway, and Trafford Meadows, which are a Mile wide: first moving Westward, and again towards the Sea; making several Curves: then resting andlingeringbetween Great and Little Barrow: as the Aironaut waswellinformed by Persons ofVeracity, who observed it: his Attention being engaged at that Time by other Objects.
229. 3. A proportionable Effect was observed incrossinga small Brook near Alvanley.
229. 4. The River Wever and its broad Meadows above Frodsham-Bridge actually stopped the farther Progress of the Balloon: tho’ its Course wasmerelyacrossthe River.
The Deviation was gently tho’invariablytowards thesea: and, if nottimelyprevented, the Balloon must have fallen in the Middle of the Channel.
229. 5. The same Case woud have happened on the Re-ascent at Bellair; if thelevitatingForce hadnotas at first, overcome the Influence of thewaters, and lifted the Balloon into thesameupper Current, which continued to move in its former safe Direction.
229. 6. Different Branches of the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal near Preston-Brook mightpossiblyaffect it in a small Degree: and, tho’ Clouds a little afterwards, secluded the Aironaut from a Sight of the Earth; yet the Balloon was known to hang, for some Time, over the Mersey near Warrington.
229. 7. The Balloon descended and alighted on the Middle of a large Tract of wet Moss Ground.
The Writer saw Sadler’s Balloon rise at Manchester, the 11th May, 1785, and descend near Blencow-Bridge, at the Conflux oftwoRivers.
The above Facts give sufficient Indications of the constant Tendency which Balloons have, to descend on Water.