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1907 March 16. Saturday at Baddeck [[strikethrough]] 66 Standard Bridgeport- Conn. 26 Jan 1907 Thrilling Balloon Experience. Probably no aeronauts have ever survived to tell such a thrilling story of their experiences as Messrs. Glaisher and Coxwell when, in 1862, they made their record ascent of seven miles. When the balloon had reached a heigh of 29,000 feet Mr. Glaisher records, "I dimly saw Mr. Coxwell in the ring and endeavored to speak, but could not, when in an instant intense back darkness came, and I suddenly became unconscious." Mr. Coxwell himself was on the point of succumbing to the intense cold. The hoar frost was all round the neck of the balloon, his hands were frozen and powerless, and as the balloon was still rising swiftly death seemed inevitable to both aeronauts. Mr. Coxwell despaired of opening the valve to release the gas. Insensibility was rapidly coming over him, and it was only "at the last gasp" that by a happy inspiration be he seized the cord with his teeth and "dipped his head two or three times until the balloon took a decided turn downward." Times Star. Cincinnati 26 Jan 1907. Messrs. Orville and Wilbur Wright of Dayton, the airship inventors, have been at the Park Avenue Hotel for the past week. Mr. Orville Wright denied the report which had gained some circulation to the effect that their mission here was to finance a company for the construction of the Wright airship. "This is not correct," said Mr. Wright, "As a matter of fact we have never contemplated asking outside assistance to build our airships. We do not intend at present to go into business of building airships upon a scale which would require a vast amount of capital. Our own resources will be quite sufficient for our needs. While we are here we will visit several members of the Aero club of New York, our personal friends, and may possibly discuss the details of an offer recently made of a good-sized cash prize to the winner of an airship competition. We understand this prize is offered in order that the winner whoever he may be, may have sufficient funds to prosecute further researches. Even in that event, however, it may be that our business arrangements would not permit us to enter into it." Mr. Wright was asked if he would state what arrangements had been entered into by the United States Government, looking to securing the Wright airship for possible use in war. "I can not discuss that matter at all," said Mr. Wright. "All governments are equally adverse to having anything said in the press as to their possible connection with airship experimentation, looking towards a possible use in war. If anything is to be given out the Government prefers that the statement shall be made through its accredited agents. As a matter of fact we are credited in the press with being in negotiation with some foreign government every time a man wearing a Vandyke beard or speaking with an accent appears at our place. In most instances they are simply intelligent foreigners who are themselves interested in this branch of experimenting. The one exception to the rule I have quoted was furnished by the gentleman who came to see us representing the French government. He talked at considerable length to the newspaper men while he was in America. During that entire time we did not say a word. But as soon as he got back to France he ceased talking. We had watched the continental papers for interviews with him, but none have appeared. In consequence some of the scientific papers of Europe doubt whether a Eve Sun. New York 26 Jan 1907. WINTER BALLOONING. ---------------- Leo Stevens Makes Successful Ascent at Pittsfield. PITTSFIELD, Mass., Jan. 26.- The practicability of ballooning in winter was demonstrated here yesterday when Leo Stevens and Capt. T.T. Lovelace, formerly of the United States Navy, made a successful flight and landing, although the intensely cold weather was considered entirely against their chances. Stevens declares that any properly clad aeronaut need have no misgivings about making ascension in winter, and believes that the feat will lead others to indulge in the sport throughout the year. The balloon used by Stevens and Lovelace was the Eagle, which has a capacity of 18,000 feet of gas and is capable of accommodating two persons. The Eagle has been purchased by Capt. Lovelace, who is soon to start on a trip around the world with Ralph Brandreth, of Ossining, on a private yacht. The gas bag will be taken along and ascensions made at different parts of the world, the material for making hydrogen gas being carried on the yacht. When the Eagle was inflated at 3 o'clock the mercury registered 14 deg. above zero and there was no breeze showing. The balloon when released sailed straight up to a height of 3,000 feet, where the aeronauts found a temperature of 25 deg. below zero. At this altitude Capt. Lovelace endeavored to write a note to be sent back by a carrier pigeon, but his hand was too stiff. The bird was released, but appeared to be paralyzed by the cold. It succeeded in reaching its cote in Pittsfield at dark, but died soon after. The aeronauts dropped the balloon closer to the earth and enjoyed a sail to the northwest, landing safely near Dalton. Stevens declares that in all his ascensions no scene equalled that of the earth as they saw it covered with snow from the height of half a mile. He will deliver the Eagle to Capt. Lovelace in a few days, and the Brandreth party will first use it for a flight in the Philippines. Citizen Brooklyn 26 Jan 1907 WRIGHT BROTHERS, DAYTON'S MYSTERIOUS AIRSHIP MEN, IN TOWN READY TO SELL THEIR WONDERFUL INVENTION [[image]] The Model Wilber Wright
