Ranelagh Gardens
Note: There is it appears, a commemorative placque regarding this ascent in Whitlingham Road, Norwich. So presumably the ascent took place somewhere in this area.
RANELAGH GARDENS: Early balloon ascent
Operated by: Major John Money
Location: Norwich city centre
Period of operation: 22nd July 1785
NOTES:
In his book Falling Upwards, Richard Holmes tells the story of Major Money somehow managing to obtain the use of the 'British Balloon' for an ascent to raise money for the then relatively new Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. He was at the time a very inexperienced aeronaut and it seems unclear what had gone wrong to prevent him landing before drifting out across the North Sea.
A large number of smallish vessels gave chase but once it started getting dark they all pretty much gave up the search - except one, the coastguard cutter Argus. By an extraordinary feat of navigation, knowledge of local tides and realising that a full moon would emerge, they eventually found Major Money and his partially deflated balloon. Although having been in the water for over five hours, he was still alive, but barely so. The professional crew of the Argus, knowing about such things, quickly managed to revive him.
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