Notable British Balloon Ascents

Extract

After a series of balloon ascents extending over many years, I may truly say that each new ascent made differs in some manner from previous ones, and new interest and new experiences always await the aerial voyager. It was in 1898 that I had the pleasure of accompanying Mr. George Griffith on a balloon trip from the Crystal Palace to France, On the 3rd of February we made our first attempt, the day was dull and the balloon was rapidly wafted over Chatham and Canterbury; all was drear and gloomy, and though the course of the wind was such that we could have speedily crossed, we could not hope to obtain photographic records of the voyage; and, therefore, landed in England, and made another attempt on the 8th of the same month. On this occasion a bright sky and a brisk breeze gave promise of a fine trip, and so it proved. At heights varying from double that of Snowdon to but a few hundred feet we continued our course over land and sea to Verchin, in the Pas de Calais, my companion's record of which was set forth in print in “ Pearson's Magazine ” illustrated with blocks made from the photos we secured.