Richmond Dispatch.
Friday morning...April 26, 1861
Balloon Voyage extraordinary.
--Lowe, the æronaut, it is reported, has arrived in Columbia, S. C., having left Cincinnati early on Saturday morning. His destination was Richmond, but after nine hours journey he arrived in Union District, S. C.
The Daily Dispatch: April 29, 1861.
Richmond Dispatch.
Monday morning April 29, 1861.
The great balloon trip.
--We have already noticed the remarkable ærial voyage of Prof. Lowe, from Cincinnati to South Carolina. The following account of the journey, the truth of which is confirmed by the fact that Lowe had with him Cincinnati papers of the previous day, is given by the Columbia South Carolinian:
He left Cincinnati on Saturday morning, at 4 o'clock, passed up the valley of the Ohio river to Virginia, with the intention of landing near Petersburg; but, after crossing the Alleghanies, a current bore him South, between this range and the Blue Ridge.
A little before 1 o'clock, he came down near the line between North and South Carolina; but finding himself at too great a distance from any railroad, he ascended again, and next came down at Pea Ridge, in Union District, at 9 o'clock P. M., having thus traveled, by the course he pursued, about 1200 miles, in nine hours. This, we think, is the fastest time yet made.
From Pea Ridge, Professor Lowe was conveyed to Unionville, where he remained until yesterday morning, when he came down to this city, with the intention of going on immediately to Washington, but on learning that there was doubt of getting through, he changed his route, and will leave this morning for Louisville, Ky., where he has located his residence. via Augusta and Nashville.
The balloon has a diameter of 42 feet, is 44 yards in circumference, 55 feet from top to valve, and will hold 40,000 feet of gas.
The result of this experimental trip goes to confirm the belief of Prof. L. in the entire practicability of carrying out his great enterprise, to which he has devoted so much time and money, that of crossing the Atlantic in a balloon. This he will probably attempt during the coming summer.
JR