Lab
Library
Journal
Shop
Sign in
to keep
Share image
1
128
Wonderful Balloon Ascents; Or, The Conquest of the Skies
·
Fulgence Marion
76
their
pleasures
demanded
it,
they
could
descend
to
within
a
short
distance
of
the
earth,
say
ninety
feet,
and
fix
themselves
in
their
position
by
means
of
an
anchor.
It
might,
perhaps,
be
possible,
by
taking
the
advantage
of
favourable
winds,
to
make
the
tour
of
the
world.
“Experience
will
perhaps
demonstrate
that
aerial
navigation
presents
less
inconvenience
and
less
dangers
than
the
navigation
of
the
seas.”
The
immensity
of
the
seas
seemed
to
be
the
only
source
of
insurmountable
difficulties;
“but,”
says
Robertson,
“over
what
a
vast
space
might
not
one
travel
in
six
months
with
a
balloon
fully
furnished
with
the
necessaries
of
life,
and
all
the
appliances
necessary
for
safety?
Besides,
if,
through
the
natural
imperfection
attaching
to
all
the
works
of
man,
or
either
through
accident
or
age,
the
balloon,
borne
above
the
sea,
became
incapable
of
sustaining
the
travellers,
it
is
provided
with
a
boat,
which
can
withstand
the
waters
and
guarantee
the
return
of
the
voyagers.”
Such
were
the
ideas
promulgated
regarding
the
“Minerva.”
The
following
is
the
serious
description
given
of
the
machine.
The
numbers
correspond
with
those
on
the
illustration.
“The
cock
(3)
is
the
symbol
of
watchfulness;
it
is
also
the
highest
point
of
the
balloon.
An
observer,
getting
up
through
the
interior
to
the
point
at
which
the
watchful
fowl
is
placed,
will
be
able
to
command
the
best
view
to
be
had
in
the
‘Minerva.’
The
wings
at
the
side
(1
and
2)
are
to
be
regarded
as
ornamental.
The
balloon
will
be
150
feet
in
diameter,
made
expressly
at
Lyons
of
unbleached
silk,
coated
within
and
without
with
indict-rubber.
This
globe
sustains
a
ship,
which
contains
or
has
attached
to
it
all
the
things
necessary
for
the
convenience,
the
observations,
and
even
the
pleasures
of
the
voyagers.
“(a)
A
small
boat,
in
which
the
passengers
might
take
refuge
in
case
of
necessity,
in
the
event
of
the
larger
vessel
falling
on
the
sea
in
a
disabled
state.
“(b)
A
large
store
for
keeping
the
water,
wine,
and
all
the
provisions
of
the
expedition.
“(cc)
Ladders
of
silk,
to
enable
the
passengers
to
go
to
all
parts
of
the
balloon.
“(e)
Closets.
Marker
Marker
Fine marker
White-out
Fine white-out
Circle
Paint
Unmarker
Hand
Scalpel
Dice
Sieve
Purify
Undo
Redo
Start over
