Lord Wrottesley, Dr. Lee, Mr. Glaisher, and others, were watching the
inflation during a high wind, I left the grounds for a short time, the
balloon being in charge of my assistants, who were manœuvring at the
nozzle of the lower opening, as that is a part requiring much care, and
will not admit, without great risk, of being held too fast; the late
Colonel Sykes, M.P., considered that if a crow-bar were driven in the
ground, and the cord were attached, it would prevent the men from being
rolled over occasionally, and his idea was put to the test.
I was surprised to observe from a distance, that the balloon had been
badly torn, and could not account for it until I returned and saw that
the neck valve had been pulled completely away. Had it been kept as I
left it, with a give and take movement to obviate a sudden snatch, the
balloon would have escaped injury.
It is really astonishing how the same ideas occur to all amateurs and
novices. Those who read much about aërostatics must have noticed that a
strong resemblance in these notions is constantly to be observed; they
one and all begin with the valve and have ever since I can remember.
Green’s and Coxwell’s notions are pronounced old-fashioned and exploded.
They all want to try india-rubber and other complicated springs
instead of the rat-trap principle, which is so very simple, and cannot
well fail to act in all weathers, whereas india-rubber will relax in
heat, and beadings and other additions will swell and contract in the
framework, if of wood, according to atmospheric changes; but the plan,
which experienced aëronauts know to be the safest, is almost sure to be
cast aside until an accident, as I have already pointed out, induces
beginners to fall back upon the approved plan.
Then again, the varnishes are wrong, Mr. A. or Mr. M. has a varnish
which is perfectly impermeable, the old stories and new pretensions
are reiterated, while the old stager knows very well that there are
objections to most of the new fancies, and that the colours and oils he
has used are like those of the old masters in painting, not so easily
to be surpassed, particularly in the present day, when most pigments
are so impure and adulterated.
Thirdly, the grapnels are all wrong, but if the ropes and balloon
equipments of early days were to be put side by side with many of the
accessories of modern appliances, I believe the balance would be in
favour of the experts of the last generation.
In 1796, the “Intrepide” was sent to the army of the Danube; a fifth
balloon was prepared for the army of Italy, but for some reason it was
never sent out.
In the year 1798, Napoleon took a balloon equipment to Egypt, but
unfortunately for the French, the English managed to capture the ship
which contained the apparatus.
After this, the aërostiers seem to have gradually died out of notice,
and the balloons were sold in 1804.
It was said that the dissolution of the corps was due more immediately
to the displeasure of Napoleon at the performance of a balloon which
ascended at his coronation, with a large crown suspended beneath it,
which travelled all the way to Rome, and deposited part of the crown on
the tomb of Nero.
MILITARY BALLOONING DURING THIS CENTURY.
After the Peace of Amiens was concluded in March 1802, military
aëronauts were less heard of, while professional and scientific air
explorers came more prominently into notice.
In 1812, the Russians constructed a huge balloon at Moscow, which was
to hover over the French army and rain forth shells and explosives, but
their expectations rose higher than their balloons, which refused to
move off the ground.
The French soldiers found this in the Castle of Voronzoff bearing many
thousand pounds of gunpowder, which were to have been launched upon
them.
General Count Philip de Segur says:--“This prodigious balloon was
constructed by command of Alexander, not far from Moscow, under the
direction of a German artificer.”
In 1815 a balloon reconnaissance was made at Antwerp, and in 1826 the
subject was again mooted by the French, and a balloon was sent to
Algiers, but it was never disembarked.
The Russians are said to have tried experiments at Sebastopol in 1854.
The French again used balloons in the Italian campaign of 1859; they
employed the civilian aëronaut Godard, and a useful ascent was made the
day before Solferino in a fire balloon.
When the Civil War in America broke out several balloons were used in
the operations. On October 4th, 1861, an aëronaut named La Montaine
ascended from McClellan’s camp on the Potomac; he was enabled to make
observation of their position and movements, and afterwards returned to
his own lines and communicated results which were declared to be of the
utmost importance.
Later on the Federals instituted a regular balloon corps, of which
Colonel Beaumont, R.E., wrote an interesting account in the Royal
Engineer Papers. The balloons were of two sizes, one of 13,000 cubic
feet capacity, the other double that size, but the large size was
found most suitable, a fact which our military balloonists should not
overlook in their desire to possess very light and small balloons for
easy transport.
The American balloons were made of the best silk, the upper part being
composed of three or four thicknesses; this was capable of retaining
sufficient gas for an ascent a fortnight after inflation, a statement
which can more readily be credited than the French accounts about
preserving it for _three months_.
Hydrogen was used for inflation, and generated in the old-fashioned way
with scrap iron and sulphuric acid.
In this chapter of facts and dates I have drawn freely on the
exhaustive work called “_Astra Castra_,” by Lieutenant Hatton Turnor,
formerly of the 60th Rifles; also from the indefatigable gleanings and
able lecture by Lieutenant Baden-Powell of the Scots Guards.
De Fonvielle’s “Adventures in the Air” have furnished valuable
information and incidents worth mentioning; Lieutenant Baden-Powell has
so cleverly compressed his matter that for the sake of brevity I am
induced at times to quote literally.
Two of the American balloons and two generators were taken each on a
four horsed waggon, with one two horsed acid cart.
Earthworks could be distinguished at a distance of five miles,
while the piquets and supports of the enemy were distinctly seen. A
telegraphic wire was sometimes attached to the balloon, so that the
aëronaut could at once communicate with the general, or even, as was
done one time, to the Government at Washington. Some photographs were
also taken of the enemy’s position.
The aëronaut and the general each had maps similarly divided into
small squares, which were numbered, whereby the communications were
simplified.
The “Times” correspondent said of the battle of Chickahominy: “During
the whole of the engagement, Professor Lowe’s balloon hovered over the
Federal lines at an altitude of 2,000 feet, and maintained successful
telegraphic communication with General McClellan’s head-quarters.”
In an attack on Mississippi Island, No. 10, Engineer Aëronaut Allan,
ascended and directed the artillery fire, communicating the effect of
each shot.
In July 1862, the first military balloon experiments in England took
place at Aldershot, and, as I had the honour of accomplishing them, I
will leave Lieut. Baden-Powell to allude to the events in his own words.
“The aëronaut, Mr. Coxwell, was employed to bring one of his balloons
which was filled at the gas-works, and made several captive ascents,
the highest being 2,200 feet. Colonel Beaumont said that no large
movement of troops could take place within a radius of ten miles
without being seen. Later on, more experiments were made, a one-inch
rope being used as cable.
“When the war between France and Germany broke out, Mr. Coxwell went to
manage some war balloons for the Germans. He formed two companies (two
officers and forty-two men) at Cologne, and his assistant went on to
Strasbourg, but that town capitulated before much service was rendered.”
During the siege of Paris, balloons, it will be remembered, were made
use of in a more regular and extensive manner, and with most important
results.
At first, two old balloons were anchored at Montmartre and Montsouris,
as observatories, to watch the Prussians. They apparently accomplished
but little, although one or two new ideas were introduced. The messages
from the balloons were put in a little box which was attached to the
cable by a ring, so that the observations were delivered straight to
those who held the rope.
Every twenty-four hours, six ascents were made, four by day, and two by
night, the latter to observe the camp fires, etc., and it was proposed
to use a search electric light.
When the Parisians found themselves cut off from all communication with
the outer world, balloons were naturally suggested as a means of escape.
Several experienced aëronauts were in Paris as well as a few balloons.
The first aëronaut, Duruof, left in a leaky machine, which owing to its
imperfect condition, was sent up like a projectile, as we are informed
by De Fonvielle. It described a parabola like that of a bombshell, and
by sacrificing seven hundredweight of ballast, the descent took place
nineteen miles from the Place St. Pierre, in the department of Eure,
not far from the Prussians, but still beyond their range.
The “Ville de Florence” took, by way of trial, the first pigeons
intended for return with despatches. Paris learned, with as much
satisfaction as if it had been a victory, the return of the first
aërial messenger.
Louis Godard had two small balloons, neither sufficient for the purpose
of escape, but he fixed one below the other, and made a very successful
voyage in the “Etats-Unis.”
The last ready made balloon was the “Céleste,” which was the first to
take post cards.
The Government then ordered a number of new balloons to be at once
constructed, they were turned out at the chief railway stations, which
for the time being were no longer used as such.
The balloons were made of strong cambric, oiled, and of about 70,000
cubic feet capacity; they were filled with coal gas, and could carry a
load of 2,000 pounds, including 600 pounds of ballast and 1,000 pounds
of despatches.
The first of these bore Gambetta, he was accompanied by his intimate
friend, M. Spuller. The political results of this voyage are well known.
One balloon travelled to Norway. Many were fired at, but few injured.
Three balloons fell into the hands of the enemy near Paris, and two in
Germany. Two were lost at sea, each manned by a sailor.
The average distance travelled, was about 180 miles, and the speed
varied from seven to fifty miles an hour, and in one instance, eighty
miles.
During four months, sixty-six balloons left Paris, of which fifty-four
were specially made by the administration of posts and telegraphs.
One hundred-and-sixty persons were carried over the Prussian lines.
Nine tons of despatches, or 3,000,000 letters were successfully
conveyed to their destinations. 360 pigeons were taken up, of which,
however, only fifty-seven returned to Paris, these conveyed, as Lieut.
Baden-Powell reminds us, 100,000 messages.
Wilfrid de Fonvielle gives us a vivid and thrilling account of how he
left Paris in a balloon.
The members of the scientific commission, he informs us, conceived the
idea of sending off balloons by night. He took his departure on the
20th of November; he was apprehensive, owing to the weather, of some
crushing catastrophe.
“The ‘Egalité’ began to show its graceful form and bright colours. The
sun was shining on the golden sphere, which the wind was gracefully
oscillating. I was looking on the clouds, which had a direction
inclining somewhere towards Prussian soil, when I heard people
shouting.
“A large hole had been made by the copper end of the pipe in the
graceful fabric. It was too late to think of mending it, and of
ascending afterwards before sunset.”
On the following morning the weather was horrid. After many delays,
owing to this cause, De Fonvielle and his companions started. They
saw desolated fields, disappearing one after another. He recognized
different parts where he had wandered during so many happy years. Twice
the Seine was crossed, that noble Seine! where German horses will never
drink! and he could see distinctly where his old balloon had been taken
by German hands.
He was looking at that spot when the first shot was heard, but the
balloon was more than 5,000 feet high. In less than two hours they
reached Louvain.
A few days after this successful journey, another nocturnal balloon
went up on a moonless night. A brave sailor, named Prince, was the sole
occupant of the car.
Next day, at dawn, some fishermen on the north coast of Scotland, saw a
globe disappear towards the west and sink in the ocean. A poor mother
and two sisters bewailed the loss of the unfortunate waif.
In June 1871, the English Government appointed a committee, consisting
of Colonel Beaumont, R.E., Lieut. Grover, R.E., and Sir F. Abel,
to enquire into the use of balloons for warfare, and as Lieut.
Baden-Powell, in his lecture at the Royal United Service Institution,
went into the dates and progress made in military ballooning, I shall
regard him as a reliable authority in these matters.
In April 1879, the English Government instituted an official balloon
committee, consisting of Colonel Noble, R.E., Sir F. Abel, and Captain
Lee, R.E., with whom was associated Captain Elsdale, R.E., and Captain
Templer, of the Middlesex Militia, the last mentioned having had
considerable experience in ballooning.
Experiments were conducted at Woolwich, and four balloons were made by
the Royal Engineers of specially woven fine _calico_, varnished.
A portable furnace and boiler for the manufacture of hydrogen gas was
devised similar in principle to the one used by the French in 1793,
_but the apparatus did not prove satisfactory_.
And who could expect that a mere imitation after the lapse of
eighty-six years, would do much good or credit to the British army.
Had a competent man been appointed consulting aëronaut, he would have
pointed out that the use of bricks, tiles, and red hot turnings,
was resorted to in France as a necessity when sulphur and sulphuric
acid were scarce, but as none of the above named officers had ever
ascended with me, or had my instructions, I could only note, with
regret, what appeared to be a useless expenditure of money and time,
and as to proper and suitable material. I had in my store rooms at
Seaford, Sussex, a large quantity of stout, pure silk, made expressly
for balloons, and could have turned out for Government, a typical war
balloon, which would have been creditable to our country, and been in
every way preferable to _calico_.
A few days after the first experiment, an unforeseen adventure happened
as one of the war balloons was being towed, attached to a cart.
The cable snapped and the balloon disappeared in the clouds!
In October, one of the balloons was tried free at a review on Woolwich
Common, but the wind was unfavourable.
The next year, the “Crusader” figured at the Brighton volunteer review,
successfully.
In September 1880, a whole company of Engineers (the 24th) went for
instruction in ballooning to Aldershot, and many experiments were made.
English military ballooning, as I have pointed out received a sudden
check when the “Saladin” was lost in the year 1881.
If we turn to the French, we read quite a different story. They
established, in 1872, another aëronautical school. An annual grant of
£10,000 was made, since then, the establishment has increased.
Their balloons are spherical, ten metres in diameter, made of the best
silk, and covered with a varnish which renders them so gas-tight, that
they can remain inflated for a month. So they assert.
Twenty out of forty balloons had already been made.
For captive ascents a kite screen is used. I suggested something of
this kind twenty-six years since, but I have now a more simple and
safer plan, with others for signalling etc., should they ever be
enquired after or wanted.
AIR TORPEDOES AND BOMBSHELLS.
If there is one branch of modern strategy which is likely to be watched
with keen interest during the next Continental war it will be that of
military ballooning. For some time we have heard of such wonderful
preparations in this line on the other side of the Channel that the
public, both at home and abroad, will be moved by anxious expectancy to
take note whether the steering gas bags and air torpedoes revolutionize
warfare by developing a more easy way of striking hostile forces,
namely, from a vertical position, in which they are so frequently
vulnerable. The aims of those who would merely employ balloons to
see what is going on behind the hills, and how their opponents are
disposed, seem insufficient to satisfy the ambition of foreign
engineers. A Frenchman has supplied the Russians with an air torpedo
that can be directed, so we are told, with the accuracy of a submarine
machine. It is to take up eight hundredweight of dynamite, which can be
discharged on the heads, and on the magazines and fortresses of their
foes, so as to make short work with them by blowing them up sky-high
without subjecting the attacking party to risk, owing to the remarkable
guiding power of their aërial cruiser, which is to strike and glide
away with marvellous rapidity, either as it emerges from the clouds, or
springs unseen above the smoke of battle, to let fall its destructive
cargo when least expected. All this sounds very terrific and smart in
theory, but the question is, can it be done with the tact and certainty
which we are asked to believe? From an aërostatic standpoint such
an enterprise would entirely depend upon aërial navigation having
been solved. Certain inventors avow, and perhaps imagine, that this
consummation has been settled already by those preliminary canters near
Paris of which we heard so much two years since. Now, it is not for
me, or any other practical man, to say that the pretensions put forth
for “the conquest of the air” are visionary; but this I do say, that
the alleged movements of the cigar-shaped balloons have not warranted
us in concluding that the art of steering and propelling has been
satisfactorily mastered. Had it been otherwise, how is it that so
magnificent an achievement has not been forthwith applied to the more
noble and remunerative arts of peace and commerce, instead of being
shelved for the horrors of war? The moment air ships can be directed,
the probability is they will be seized upon immediately to bring
about results far more creditable than the annihilation of our fellow
creatures.
Secondly. A bombardment from above might, and possibly would, involve
a contest in the air. If these agents are available for attack they
may be constructed for defensive objects, for retaliation, and for
reprisals. One may swoop down like a hawk, but another may rise up like
a rocket and bring down its adversary like the stick. And how about
the latest arms of precision, chain-shot, and shrapnel? A gas-inflated
observatory can often be kept well in the rear in a more secure captive
state, but if these flying torpedoes are going in for close quarters,
as they must to “spot” their victims, the hazards will be so great that
pressed men, rather than volunteers, will have to be forced into the
empyrean; and, so far as my experience goes among officers, soldiers,
and civilians, I never yet noticed any exuberant bellicose tendency, or
display of pugnacity, while exploring in mid-air.
I once took up a gentleman who was said to be very daring, and among
his accomplishments was a proficiency with the gloves; a friend of
his who was with us thought fit in a moment of pardonable elation to
indulge in playful sparring with the reputed amateur boxer. I was
rather surprised to notice that he evinced an apparent distaste, and
even incompetency, for this sort of thing when aloft. It certainly
might have been that the narrow confines of a wicker basket were not
sufficiently capacious for manœuvring, or that a passing nervousness
took all the fight out of him. He protested against his friend’s
familiarity, while casting an appealing glance at me. “Recollect,” he
cried, “where we are;” but on reaching _terra firma_ I observed that
his facial expression was decidedly more combative, and that he was
quite ready then for a friendly exchange of taps; this, with other
incidents I could mention, has led me to conclude that the upper air is
not altogether suitable or provocative for belligerent performances.
By way of illustration, I may state that Green more than forty years
since was engaged to attend with one of his balloons at a park down in
Staffordshire, where there was to be an experiment with dropping shells
from a battery affixed to the hoop, but no one was to go up, and the
aëronaut’s services were only required for the preparatory work, as the
long range committee preferred to manage matters themselves, so far
as the adjustment and discharge of the petards went. They selected a
central spot in a wood as the area for their intended demolishment,
but on setting the balloon free they neglected Green’s hint to look
out for a veering current, in case they had not provided a remedy, as
he had, if his services had been retained for the most critical part
of the undertaking. Well, the experimentalists disregarded the expert,
but when the missiles were discharged they flew bang at friendly
spectators instead of the camping ground of an ideal enemy, thus
causing a helter-skelter stampede, including a bevy of policemen--in
short, the whole affair was a fiasco; and it might have been so easily
prevented, as Green’s foresight had led him to think of a compensating
plan to cause the balloon to go straight in the desired course; but
the enthusiasts did not believe that a past master was necessary for
aëronautic transactions, and it will not be surprising if some of the
military adventurers to whom we have been referring find themselves
similarly situated.
Last year I read that two intrepid Frenchmen made a trip to our
shores from Cherbourg, and threw down as they passed some yachts near
the coast a number of cork balls painted white, just, sportively of
course, to see how they would act as the lightest and most harmless of
grenades, without, as we may charitably conclude, any ulterior designs
such as the First Napoleon is credited with when the aërial flotilla
at Boulogne was talked about. But, really, in the present day, when
the blowing up of ironclads is a recognized feature of warfare, and
when torpedo boats can dive and make straightway at a man-of-war to
strike below the belt, it is time to be on the _qui vive_, and though
aëronauts may feel no great alarm about an unexpected visit from a
torpedo fleet, knowing, as they do, that the air is more than eight
hundred times lighter than water, and that the difficulties to be
first surmounted are proportionately great, still, there is no denying
that the route overhead is open to all nations, and that a scare, lest
any unwelcome guests should arrive, has actually been felt as to the
possibility of their turning up from beneath the Channel. We know that
John Bull and all true Britons would rather face an adversary from
above, than if he were to crawl and pounce upon us from below.
But at present we need not quake as to the high or subway route.
MILITARY BALLOONING IN THE YEAR OF JUBILEE.
One of the latest and most interesting phases of this subject relates
to Lord Wolseley’s maiden ascent from the grounds at Lidsing, near
Chatham, and to various active preparations on the Continent which
have a character of their own, and are essentially dissimilar to the
experiments in Great Britain.
An illustrious man undergoing his initiation in the balloon car, forms
an event which is not of every day occurrence, and must prove very
encouraging to the intrepid engineer officers, and also to the general
public, who like to see the leading authority go now and again to the
front for the sake of thoroughly inspecting, and of obtaining some
practical acquaintance with any new branch of science which may be on
trial.