The Lizard
THE LIZARD: A point of aviation interest
NOTES: Not a flying site as such but a story I think you’d like to hear. The main point about this 'Guide' being to open out the history of aviation within the UK.
During the Franco-Prussian war Paris had been besieged. In desperation the French set up a balloon factory in the Gare d’Orleans and inflated them using ‘town gas’, (presumably coal gas?). About sixty were made it seems and these were called ‘Postal’ balloons because, apart from carrying a few ‘worthy’ passengers to freedom, (about 150 in total), they included letters, many beseeching help and support.
In 1870, (possibly late in 1870?), one of these balloons, the Jacquard, was spotted over The Lizard being driven westward at great speed by an easterly gale. The ‘pilote’ was a sailor named Prince and he dropped a pouch of letters onto the Lizard before disappearing over the Atlantic never to be seen or heard of again. Is it just conceivable that this balloon might have reached North America?
Probably not considering the generally prevailing winds, but, if coming down in the wilderness of Canada or even Greenland for example, the chances of Prince surviving were slim if not impossible? Perhaps more to the point, I doubt this balloon was entirely leak-proof?
We'd love to hear from you, so please scroll down to leave a comment!
Leave a comment ...
Copyright (c) UK Airfield Guide
