CHAPTER XXXXI.

CONJECTURES ON THE CAUSES WHICH INFLUENCE THE DESCENT OF BALLOONS IN THEIR PASSAGE OVER WATER.

[Sidenote: Recapitulation of Facts.]

1. Conjectures concerning the regular Tendency of the Balloon to _descend_ on its _Approach_ towards +water+.

2. Its _greatest_ Descent, when in the Zenith, over the Middle of Rivers.

3. Recovery and _Re-ascent_ to the former Level, as it _recedes_ from them.

Section 229. Article 1. On the first Ascent in the Castle-Yard, Chester, the Balloon gently moved towards the River Dee, and the Sea.

And woud probably have gone out to Sea, if the ascensive Power had not presently raised it above the Influence of the Water; into an upper Current of Air, which was visible at that Time, and for two Hours before the Ascent, by the Motion of superior Clouds in a safe Direction towards the Land.

229. 2. The Balloon was _affected_ in passing across the River Goway, and Trafford Meadows, which are a Mile wide: first moving Westward, and again towards the Sea; making several Curves: then resting and _lingering_ between Great and Little Barrow: as the Aironaut was _well_ informed by Persons of _Veracity_, who observed it: his Attention being engaged at that Time by other Objects.

229. 3. A proportionable Effect was observed in _crossing_ a small Brook near Alvanley.

229. 4. The River Wever and its broad Meadows above Frodsham-Bridge actually stopped the farther Progress of the Balloon: tho’ its Course was _merely_ +across+ the River.

The Deviation was gently tho’ _invariably_ towards the +sea+: and, if not _timely_ prevented, the Balloon must have fallen in the Middle of the Channel.

229. 5. The same Case woud have happened on the Re-ascent at Bellair; if the _levitating_ Force had _not_ as at first, overcome the Influence of the +waters+, and lifted the Balloon into the _same_ upper Current, which continued to move in its former safe Direction.

229. 6. Different Branches of the Duke of Bridgewater’s Canal near Preston-Brook might _possibly_ affect it in a small Degree: and, tho’ Clouds a little afterwards, secluded the Aironaut from a Sight of the Earth; yet the Balloon was known to hang, for some Time, over the Mersey near Warrington.

229. 7. The Balloon descended and alighted on the Middle of a large Tract of wet Moss Ground.

The Writer saw Sadler’s Balloon rise at Manchester, the 11th May, 1785, and descend near Blencow-Bridge, at the Conflux of _two_ Rivers.

The above Facts give sufficient Indications of the constant Tendency which Balloons have, to descend on Water.