Balloon Ascent, Victoria Park.

Mr Thomas Gale’s balloon ascent from Victoria Park, in his locally constructed balloon named, ‘Young Australian’. It was 72′ high and 112 in circumference. Gale’ flight on this occassion landed in the Parramatta River between Kissing Point and Tarban Creek. From the original edition of the Illustrated Sydney News. ‘BALLOON ASCENT of MR. THOMAS GALE fROM VICTORIA PARK. Last Saturday week at the Victoria Park, from which place of resort Mr. Thomas Gale was to ascend in the magnificent balloon recently constructed under his supervision, and named the &quot Young Australian.&quot This is by far the largest machine of the kind that has ever been used in Australia, being 72 feet high and 112 feet in circumference at its widest part. Its capacity is for 32,000 feet of gas, and its lifting power is equal to half a ton, provided the gas is of good quality, but on the occasion referred to it could not carry up a greater weight than 350 lbs. Nearly 3000 persons assembled to witness the ascent, but of this number a great many availed themselves of a &quot free pass &quot over the neighboring fences without going through the form of paying at the gates, thus reversing Artemus Ward’s intimation, &quot You cannot go in without paying, but you can pay without going in.&quot The balloon was inflated in about an hour and a half, and at a quarter past four, being released from its bonds, rose rapidly into the air, and took a north-westerly direction. As it ascended higher the direction of the wind became due south, and the balloon having attained an altitude of two miles and a half, the valve was opened, and the lower current of air regained. After remaining in the air for nearly two hours, Mr. Gale made his descent, and fearing that his aerial ship might be injured by the trees, preferred lowering it into Delange’s Bay, in the Parramatta River, between Kissing Point and Tarban Creek. The occupants of the balloon were placed in great jeopardy of drowning, and also of being smothered in the slimy ooze of the river bed, as the car literally stuck in the mud, but being helped by some fishermen near at hand were enabled to pack up the machine and return to Sydney by dusk. It was Mr. Gale’s intention to take two passengers with him, but owing to the inferior quality of the gas, he could only take one-Mr. John Allen.’