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[[newspaper clipping]] ^[[July 1837]] LAMENTABLE PARACHUTE ACCIDENT. - A few gentlemen having investigated the circumstances of Mr. Cocking's Widow, and finding that she is left in a state of utter destitution, are most anxious to promote a Subscription for her relief, and they respectfully solicit the aid of the public in furtherance of this object. The smallest sums will be thankfully acknowledged, and properly applied, by J. Durrant, Esq., Royal Exchange. Subscriptions will also be received at the banking-houses of Mssrs. Smith, Payne, and Smith, and Sir. J Lubbock, Bart & Co. ; and by the Proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens, either at Vauxhall, or at 141, Fleet-street. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] BALLOON ASCENT FOR THE BENEFIT OF MRS. COCKING ^[[Herald 10 Aug 1837]] The proprietors of Vauxhall having given up the free use of the Royal Gardens for the above laudable purpose, as also of the grand Nassau balloon, Mr. Green followed up the "good work" by making a gratuitous ascent yesterday afternoon. The entire receipts are very properly to be appropriated for the benefit of the widow and family of the late Mr. Cocking, whose lamentable death it is unnecessary more than to advert to, the occurrence of it being too fresh and of too painful a characters to be easily forgotten. Though the gardens were, we regret to state, far from full, the company was highly respectable and genteel, which is saying much in the present, deserted state of the metropolis. Mr Green, accompanied by six male companions, one of whom, Mr. Campbell, came purposely, it is said, from Plumstead, near Norwich, to make the ascent, which took place a little before seven o'clock. The huge and handsome monster rose, as usual, majestically above the trees, remained for some minutes in sight, and then taking an almost northerly course, inclining a little to the west, left the spectators to conjecture its probably ultimate destination. The receipts it is hoped will be something handsome, and they certainly would have been more more so, if the gentry congregrating around the vicinity in their carriages, and on horseback, had charitably contributed their donations, for a sight which they crowded in such apparent anxiety to see for nothing. Besides the receipts at the doors and to the enclosure, arrangements were made for the collection of subscriptions, a table with writing apparatus being places in front of the orchestra for that purpose; and we trust that the munificent example of her Majesty, who had previously forwarded to the widow 50l, will cause this subscription, aided by the receipt of the evening, to amount to a sum sufficient to place Mrs. Cocking in comfortable circumstances. The Mazoni and Surey Yoemantry band, were in attendance, and the company was permitted to remain for the evening performances. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] On Wednesday the Proprietors of Vauxhall Gardens gave a benefits to the widow of the unfortunate Mr. Cocking, and an ascent of the great Nassau Balloon was deemed the most attractive, if not the most appropriate, feature of the entertainments. We regret to learn that the vicinity of the Gardens outside was thronged with spectators (many in their [[italicized]]own[[/italicized]] carriages!) who preferred to save in their own pockets the half-crown which, as an admission fee was expected to swell the subscriptions for the poor and aged widow. We do not envy the taste of these outside spectators, but we are happy to add that better feeling crowded the Gardens, and that in addition to the receipts at the door many subscriptions were collected within. The kindness and good spirit of the proprietors did all that could be done to forward the humane object of the evening. Mr. Green ascended in the balloon at twenty minutes before seven, accompanied by six adventurous amateurs, one of whom had come from Norwich for the express purpose of accompanying the aeronaut. The ascent was unusually stately and magnificent, and the balloon, soaring to its loftiest height, crossed and recrossed the Thames in the sight of multitudes, and at length, bearing away before the southern breeze, descended in a meadow at Leylam, in Surrey, twenty-two miles from London. Mr. Green and his companions having packed up the balloon returned to the Gardens about midnight, and the joy at their presence added, in the eye of the satisfied spectator, to the brilliancy of the fireworks. Her majesty has expressed through Sir Henry Wheatly her sympathy in the afflictions of Mrs. Cocking, and presented her with fifty pounds. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] Balloon Ascent for the Benefit of Mrs. Cocking. ^[[Sept 3. 1837]] ^[[Aug. 29. 1837]] DESCENT OF TWO PARACHUTES - On Tuesday evening, Mrs. Graham made an ascent from the gardens of the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, in her Royal Victoria balloon, for the benefit of the widow of the late Mr. Cocking. Attached to the balloon were two parachutes, which were exact models of those used by M. Garnerin and Mr. Cocking, the descent of which was intended to show the comparative safety of their particular structure. The parachutes were made of cotton, the framework of cane. In an apartment of the tavern were exhibited the model of Mr. Cocking's parachute, manufactured by himself; likewise several models of balloons, and other things connected with aerostation, also the work of that unfortunate gentleman. In one corner of the room were placed the remains of the parachute with which Mr. Cocking made his rash experiment. In consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather the gardens were not well attended, there not being more than eight hundred people present, and that number, we should think, scarcely sufficient to pay the expenses incurred; therefore, as far as benefit is concerned, it must be considered a total failure. About a quarter past six the inflation of the balloon being completed, a bar of wood was placed across the car, along the upper surface of which ran a cord, passing through holes at each extremity. To the ends of the cord were attached the respective parachutes; so that by cutting the cord in the centre, they would descend at the same moment. All the arrangements being completed, Mrs. Graham entered the car accompanied by a Mr. John Adams, and the balloon ascended in the very beautiful style. Having attained an altitude of six or seven hundred feet, Mrs. Graham cut the cord which supported the parachutes, and they descended at the same moment. It was some seconds before the model of M. Garnerin's parachute opened, and when it did, the oscillation complained of on the occasion of the actual descent of that gentlemen took place; that of Mr. Cocking was somewhat slower in its descent, and very steady. The parachutes fell in the grounds of a gentleman very near the place of ascent, and were shortly after brought back to the gardens. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] ^[[Herald Sept. 2 1837?]] MRS. COCKING. - Notwithstanding the great efforts which have been made by the friends of this unfortunate lady, we understand that the sum already received on her behalf had not by any means realised the anticipations of those parties who have interested themselves in her favour; nor is it, indeed, equal to the very pressing exigencies of the case. The noble examples of her Majesty, in her munificent gift (50 guineas), has not been followed up by the public in the way that it might be expected from the peculiar and painful situation in which Mrs. Cocking has been left, in consequence of the rash and fatal experiment of her ill-fated husband. The attendance at the benefit given by the proprietors of the royal gardens, Vauxhall, was not so great as might be expected on such an occasion; and a loss of nearly 20l was sustained (in consequence of the unfavourable state of the weather) in the attempt to get up a benefit at the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, on Tuesday last. We have been requested to contradict the part of the statement in Wednesday's paper, which described the parachute in which Mr. Cocking unfortunately lost his life, as having been exhibited at the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, on the occasion of the ascent of Mrs. Graham. The dilapidated parachute is in the possession of the constable at Lea, it having been forfeited as a deodand. [[/newspaper clipping]] [[newspaper clipping]] The proprietors of Vauxhall give proceeds of "Royal Property" Wednesday night in aid of subscription raising for widow of the late Mr. Cocking, who lost his life by descent in a parachute - Mr. Green makes gratuitous ascent in great Nassau Balloon, and Gas Company inflate it free of charge - understood that her Majesty, sympathising in deep affliction under which Mrs. Cocking labours for loss of her husband, has, in humane and beneficent spirit which distinguishes all acts of her reign, sent bereaved widow 50l. [[/end newspaper clipping]]
