BALLOONISTS' ADVENTURE.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXIX, Issue 245, 13 October 1908, Page 5

BALLOONISTS' ADVENTURE.

DROP OF 4000 FEET. ENVELOPE FORMS A PARACHUTE. BERLIN, October 12. The Gordon-Bennett international balloon race started from Berlin yesterday, 23 balloons competing,' each containing three days' store of provisions. Just after the start, the American balloon, the Conqueror, containing, Mr. A.. Forbes and Major Hersey, shot tip to a height of 4000 feet, and the 8000 spectators who witnessed the ascent were horrified to see the envelope split up and the balloon drop like a stone. Then the envelope bulged into a parachute, slackening the rate of descent, tie wrecked mass disappearing behind some houses in a suburb, the envelope dropping on one side of a building, and balancing the basket on the other side. Mr. Forbes and Major Hersey, who were unhurt, were assisted up on to the roof, and thence through a trapdoor. Mr. Forbes, interviewed, said that, hearing a pop, ho cut away 30 b2gs of ballast. Major Hersey threw out everything possible, and the balloon and parachute finally came safely to earth. The whole incident, he said, showed "bow safe ballooning really is." Curiously enough, a precisely similar accident occurred in Germany the week before last. When at a height of 6000 feet, Captain Abereron's balloon collapsed and plunged headlong for a distance of 2000 feet. Then the envelope formed a parachute, and the passengers alighted on their feet, escaping with a few cuts and bruises.