AN EVENTFUL AERIAL VOYAGE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 5199, 13 February 1904, Page 11

AN EVENTFUL AERIAL VOYAGE

In the whole annals of aerostation, it would be difficult to find a more touching catastrophe than that which, befel the unfortunate Count Zambecarri. who, during an aeriaj voyage on the 71h October, was cast away on tiro waves of the Adriatic. For some time previous- to tho ascent already referred- to Count Zambecarri had devoted much ot ins time to the study and practice of aerial navigation. Ho imagined that by using a laim-p supplied with spirits of wine, and the flame of which Re could control at rill, he would be aibl© to' steer a balloon in whatever direction ho chose. Fcr the purpose of testing whether his plan would bo successful or not (says a British paper), h© made an ascent from Boulogne, which was attended with disastrous results. AVhen the balloon was fetat at liberty it damaged itself against a tree, and the spirits of wine set the clothes of the aeronaut on fire. The flaim.es with which he was covered only solved to increase tne ascending power of the baUxm, and tho terrified spectators, among whom were Z'amboearri'si wife and children, saw him carried up with a tremendous velocity into the clouds where he was soon loot to view, ile however, sai’coeedcd in extinguishing the flames, and afterwards descended in safety. He then organisdd a scries of experiments at Milan, ibn which he had received in advance a sura of eight thousand crowns. Her© again, in consequence of tho weather, tho treachery of the assistants upon whom he was depending, and the malice of his rivals, his experiment!? were failures.

On'tho 7th October, after'a continuous downpour of rain which had lasted for forty-eight hours, and which had delayed the ascent, he datoimiinad to run all risks and make the ascent, although he knew full 'Well that it would be attended with oonsideraoie danger. With the help of two companions, named Grassati and AndPeoli, the inflation -of tne balloon was proceeded with, but it was midnight fore tho work was completed. By this time tho populace were too- impatient to wait until morning, so, wearied with his long continued efforts, disappointed and hungry, Zambecarri took his place in the car. His two companions then resolved to accompany him, and no sooner had taikcn their places in the car thanthe balloon wai3 set freo and they started on what afterwards proved to be a most perilous journey. At first the balloon rose slowly, and hovered over the town of Bologna. Soon, however, its velocity increased and the balloon bounded up to an enormous height The intense cold which prevailed in the high regions to which they had ascended!, now began to tell with terrible effect upon Zamibcearri. and soon he fell upon the floor of the gallery in n profound sleep which was like dearth. The same misfortune soon overtook Grassati, Andreoli, however, probably from tho fact that had taken the precaution to partake of a hearty meal, and to drink a large quantity of rum immediately before the ascent was made, retained his senses and was able for duty, although ho also suffered much from the well-night insuppoTtable cold.

About two o'clock tho balloon began to descend, and Andreoli made great efforts to rouse his companions, and he at length, though not without considerable diffi’ culty, succeeded in getting . them upon their feet.

Soon after they passed through a thick layer of whitish clouds. No sooner had they emerged from ifc than Andreoli heard a sound, muffled and almost inaudible, but which be could recognise as the breaking of waves in the distance Ho at once communicated tho startling in tel licence to his companions and as* tho balloon continued to descend rapidly, tb© noise became louder, and the voyagers were fully convinced that they, were about to alight cm tho surface of the sea.

The balloon at length alighted in the middle of the Adriatic Sea.

Tho night was irrftensriv diark. and the sea rolling l?<*ivily. Tho balloon now half empty in consequence of the vicissitudes through which it hnd passed, acted like a sail, and being caught bv the wind the gallery, with its unfortunate ooccupants, who were now almost always under water, was dragged and beaten about at the mercy of the wind and waves.

At daybreak the voyagers observed thl* chore -at a distance of about four and the-" began to entertain the ho>e that D’ev would yet roach the land in safety. Suddenly to theip great disappointment and alarm the wind changed, and they were driven cut to the open seau While in this moot perilous position several boats passed comparatively near to them, but no ?o*ner was the balloon observed floating and shining on the surface of tho water than thev made all cail to got away from it.’ the aril or s evM.rnvt.lr being under the’ impression that it was some marine monster.

Soon, however, another vessel' passed, rtnd the captain, Antoni*) Bezel br name, better informed Inan the othors/nnielcly recognised the machine to be a balloon, and sent bis lifeboat to the rescue. The sailors on reaching it threw a strong cable to the occupants of the car, and after securely fastening it to tho gallery the aerial voyagers were rescued 1 in a thoroughly exhausted condition.