Chelsea
CHELSEA: Balloon ascent site
Operated by: Jean-Pierre Blanchard and Dr John Sheldon
Location: Lochee’s Military Academy, Hollywood Road off Fulham Road.
Period of operation: 16th October 1784
NOTES: The most interesting aspect of this ascent is surely that these two had set out to prove they could both propel and navigate their way through the air. With Blanchard frantically whirling a hand-driven propeller and Shelden sawing away at two ‘oars’ it seems they made no progress at all, but they certainly were on the right track.
It appears the balloon Blanchard was using for both these flights, (this and the one listed below although he undoubtably made many others), was a Montgolfière hot-air type
On the 30th November in London, (also from this site perhaps?), Blanchard ascended with Dr John Jeffries equipped with a thermometer, hygrometer and barometer to a height of 9000ft to measure temperature, humidity and air pressure. It appears that whilst Jeffries busied himself with his readings and recordings Blanchard threw out publicity broadsheets.
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