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[[start page]] THE PENNY MECHANIC and the CHEMIST [[date bar]] No. XLVII.] SATURDAY. SEPTEMBER 16, 1837 [Vol.II [[/date bar]] Parachutes [[image - diagrams of five parachutes; inverted cone COCKING'S umbrella type GARNERIN'S umbrella type labeled PARKE's and WILSON one with slack cords labeled ASCENDING one with taut cords labeled DESCENDING]] COCKING'S GARNERIN'S PARKE'S WILSON'S ASCENDING DESCENDING Vol. II -- No. XLVII. Holloway Press: D.A. Doudney [[end page ]] [[start page]] Cocking's parachute Garnerin's parachute [[image - same two parachutes as above]] Descent of Garnerin's parachute in 1802 In this age of ballooning and at a time when the fatal experiment of Mr. Cocking forms a subject of general conversation, we think the following account with which we have been favored of M. Garnerin's descent in a parachute in 1802, as given in his own words, cannot fail to be acceptable. The parachute used by Garnerin on the occasion of his ascension in London, on the 21st of September 1802, was of cotton, and expanded in the manner of an umbrella. At the top of it ran round a hoop eight feet in diameter. In this part also was a circular aperture, where the cylinder terminated the cord by which the parachute was to be fastened to the balloon. The sides of the parachute, when it was expanded, were about fifteen feet long, and formed a sort of curtain. Garnerin placed himself, with a flag in his hand in the basket suspended from the parachute. The cords by which this basket was fastened to the cotton stuff were tied just above his head in a knot, and from this knot ran cords to the extremities of the cotton. The cords and basket were about twenty feet long, reckoning from the end of the stuff. This parachute, which was attached to the balloon, hung at a considerable distance beneath it. As the balloon rose, the parachute followed, and it was impossible to view the aeronaut dangling in it at such a prodigious height without shuddering. At length Garnerin cut the cord by which the parachute was fastened to the balloon. At this sight many of the spectators were filled with the greatest alarm, fearing lest they should see him fall every moment. The balloon rose with extraordinary velocity, and the parachute descended with equal rapidity for half a minute, and then sunk slowly to the earth. As there was not sufficient ballast in the parachute, Garnerin swung backward and forward like a pendulum of a clock, but with much greater violence; at length he alighted in safety. The following is Garnerin's account:- The experiment of my 31st ascent, and of my fifth descent in a parachute, took place on a very fine day, and in the presence of an immense crowd of spec- [[end page]] [[start page]] tators, who filled the streets, windows, house, and the scaffoldings erected round the place of my departure, which, alas! was the only spot not crowded by spectators." [The price of admission to St. George's-parafe, North Audley-street (the place from whence M. Gernerin ascended) was 5s., but the money taken did not amount to 180l., so that M. Garnerin must have lost considerable by his adventure. The cause is easily accounted for: curiosity is much better gratified by being at a distance from the ascent of a balloon. Persons of the first distinction, however had assembled on the ground, particularly the Earls Camden and Stanhope, Sir Frances Burdett, Mr. and Mrs. Sheridan. &c.] "It is necessary, when I undertake the experiment of the parachute, that I should know the state of the atmosphere, in order to enable me to judge of the course I am to take, and also to adopt the proper precautions to insure success. About three o'clock in the afternoon I had the satisfaction of having a first indication from the agreeable effect of a very pretty Mountgolifer balloon which was set off from the environs of St. George's-parade, and which took a direction over Marylebone-fields. "The success of this experiment ought not to prevent me from expressing my opinion of the danger that may result to the general safety from the daily abuse of those night experiments which are not always directed by persons conversant with the subject. One shudders to think that a machine of this kind may fall, and fall on fire, upon the cordage of a ship, and thus involve in a great conflagration all that constitutes the wealth of one of the first cities of the world. The use of these machines was prohibited in France and Consular Government consider to me alone the direction of night balloons, which I conceived and introduced into the national fetes. "Convinced of the direction of the winds, I hastened the filling of the balloon, and at 5 p.m. I filled the pilot balloon, which Mrs. Sheridan did me the honour to launch. It seemed to me that I was conciliating the favour of Heaven by the interference of the Graces. This pilot balloon ascended quickly, and was soon out of sight, marking my career towards the north-east. While the anxious crowd were following the path of my little pilot, I suspended the parachute to the balloon; this painful and difficult operation was executed with all possible address, by the assistance of the most distinguished personages. The parachute was gradually suspended, and the breeze, which was very gentle, did not produce the least obstacle. At length I hastened to ballast my cylindrical bark, and to place myself in it--a sight which the public contemplated with deep interest; it seemed, at the moment, as if every heart beat with unison: for, though I have not the advantage of speaking English, every one understood my signs. I ascertained the height of the barometer, which was at 29 1/2 inches. I now pressed the moment of my departure, and the period of my fulfilling my engagements with the British public. All the cords were cut; I rose amidst the most expressive space, discovered from on high the countless multitude that sent up their sighs and prayers for my safety. My parachute, in the form of a dome over my head, had a majestic effect. I quickened my ascending impulse, and rose through light and thin vapours, when the cold informed me that I was entering into the upper region. I perceived I had reached the extremity of the city, and that immense fields and meadows offered themselves for my descent; I examined my barometer, which I had found had fallen 43 inches; the sky was clear, the moment favourable, and I threw down my flag, to endeavour to show to the people assembled that I was on the point of cutting the cord that suspended me between heaven and earth. I mad every necessary disposition, prepared my ballast, and measured with my eye the vast space that separated me from the rest of the human race. I felt my courage confirmed by the certainty of my combinations being just. I then took out my knife, and with a hand firm, from a conscience void of reproach, and which had never been lifted against any one but in the field of victory, I cut the cord. My balloon rose, and I felt myself precipitated with a velocity which was checked by the sudden expansion of my parachute. I saw that all my calculations were just, and my mind remained calm and serene. I endeavoured to moderated my gravitation, and the oscillation which I experienced increased in proportion as I approached the breeze that blows in the middle regions; nearly ten minutes had elapsed and I felt that the more time I took in descending, the safer I should reach the ground. At length I perceived thousands of persons, some on horseback, and others on foot, following me, all of whom encouraged me by their wishes, while they opened their arms to receive me. I came near the earth, and after one bound, I [[/end page]] [[two pieces of articles lie behind the larger article]]
