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1907. February 19. Tuesday at Baddeck
18

[[?]] New York. dec 1906

EXPERIENCES IN

8278

EXPERIENCES IN BALLOONS

THE PERSONAL STORY OF AN ENTHUSIASTIC BALLOONIST WHO MAKES CONSTANT ASCENSIONS FROM NEW YORK—HAIRBREADTH ESCAPES IN FOLLOWING A NOVEL SPORT BY

DR. JULIAN P THOMAS

I HAVE always been interested in exciting sports, especially those of rapid motion. From riding bronchos, I turned to automobiling, and finally to automobile racing. But something was lacking. So I began to frame theories of flying, and to try experiments with model hot-air balloons, gas balloons, aeroplanes, and direct-lifting devices, till it struck me that the experiments would never amount to anything unless I went up and tried my experiments in the air. Forthwith I ordered a large balloon from Paris.

My balloon is 60 feet high, 47 feet in greatest diameter, and holds 60,000 cubic feet of gas. The gas bag is covered by a net which comes down to a concentrating ring to which the basket is attached. In an emergency I could climb into the rigging and detach anchor, basket, and ballast to lighten ship; but though I have made many ascents I have met but one emergency that required it. Like all modern balloons, mine has a valve in the top, the cord of which leads down inside the bag, coming out through the bottom, which is left open to provide against bursting when the gas expands in sunshine. There is also a device for ripping the bag by a powerful jerk on a cord. This once saved my life. I was making a long trip in an effort to break a record, sailing along at thirty-five miles an hour near Brant Rock, Massachusetts, when it became plain that the balloon was blowing out to sea. We threw out the anchor. It caught for a few seconds, and then with a frightful jerk pulled loose. It leaped over the ground, catching, tearing up

HOT-AI
six ra of the earth uts of and appar Looking over the 

A DESCENT AT
When the balloon was in danger of

COUNT DE LA