The Journal here ceases. Some particulars
of the descent were communicated, however, by Mr.
Ainsworth to Mr. Forsyth. It was nearly dead
calm when the voyagers first came in view of the coast,
which was immediately recognized by both the seamen,
and by Mr. Osborne. The latter gentleman having
acquaintances at Fort Moultrie, it was immediately
resolved to descend in its vicinity. The balloon
was brought over the beach (the tide being out and
the sand hard, smooth, and admirably adapted for a
descent,) and the grapnel let go, which took firm
hold at once. The inhabitants of the island,
and of the fort, thronged out, of course, to see the
balloon; but it was with the greatest difficulty
that any one could be made to credit the actual voyage
— the crossing of the Atlantic.
The grapnel caught at 2, P.M., precisely; and thus
the whole voyage was completed in seventy-five hours;
or rather less, counting from shore to shore.
No serious accident occurred. No real danger was
at any time apprehended. The balloon was exhausted
and secured without trouble; and when the MS. from
which this narrative is compiled was despatched from
Charleston, the party were still at Fort Moultrie.
Their farther intentions were not ascertained; but
we can safely promise our readers some additional
information either on Monday or in the course of the
next day, at farthest.
This is unquestionably the most stupendous, the
most interesting, and the most important undertaking,
ever accomplished or even attempted by man.
What magnificent events may ensue, it would be useless
now to think of determining.
~~~ End of Text ~~~
{*1} Note. — Mr. Ainsworth has not attempted
to account for this phenomenon, which, however, is
quite susceptible of explanation. A line dropped
from an elevation of 25,000 feet, perpendicularly to
the surface of the earth (or sea), would form the
perpendicular of a right-angled triangle, of which
the base would extend from the right angle to the
horizon, and the hypothenuse from the horizon to the
balloon. But the 25,000 feet of altitude is little
or nothing, in comparison with the extent of the prospect.
In other words, the base and hypothenuse of the supposed
triangle would be so long when compared with the perpendicular,
that the two former may be regarded as nearly parallel.
In this manner the horizon of the æronaut would appear
to be on a level with the car. But, as
the point immediately beneath him seems, and is, at
a great distance below him, it seems, of course, also,
at a great distance below the horizon. Hence the
impression of concavity; and this impression
must remain, until the elevation shall bear so great
a proportion to the extent of prospect, that the apparent
parallelism of the base and hypothenuse disappears
— when the earth’s real convexity must
become apparent.
