Spanish Aeronaut Thrilled the Little Town of Pelham in the Summer of 1888

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Today we Pelhamites give no thought to the marvel of modern jet airplanes as they pass above traveling to and from nearby LaGuardia and John F. Kennedy Airports.  In the nineteenth century, long before the Wright Brothers, Samuel P. Langley, Sir Hiram Maxim, Gustave Whitehead, Glenn Curtiss, and other aviation pioneers, Pelhamites expected little more than birds in flight in the skies above.  Occasionally, however, Pelhamites of those days were thrilled to observe so-called aeronauts floating in massive balloons in the skies above.

Given Pelham's proximity to New York City, nineteenth century aeronauts often visited the region and performed exhibitions of balloon ascensions and descents for large crowds of spectators.  Indeed, I have written before of such exhibitions that led to balloon flights in the skies above Pelham in 1866.  See Wed., Jan. 04, 2017:  Famed Aeronaut Landed His Awe-Inspiring Balloon in Pelham Waters on July 7, 1866.  

During the summer of 1888, Pelhamites witnessed a number of such balloon exhibitions performed by "Captain" Esteban Martinez, a famed Spanish "aeronaut."  Martinez reportedly was in the United States on an exhibition tour in a bid to convince famed inventor Thomas Alva Edison to create an electric motor for a hot air balloon propulsion system Martinez had developed.  

The 27-year-old Martinez was internationally-famous and then was known as the "Air King" and "Cloud King."  His hot air balloon ascensions lofted him and his equipment 3,000 to 4,000 feet into the sky where he would drift with the wind for up to two hours before landing almost randomly.  During his flights he apparently performed, occasionally, on a trapeze attached to the balloon and frequently promised to leap from his balloon using what he called a "Patent Parasol" (i.e., a parachute).  

Born in Spain in 1860, Martinez became a military and sports balloonist.  He served as a Captain in the Spanish Army and, by 1888, he had made 128 balloon ascents.  By 1909, Martinez had made 246 ascents, flying his balloons in Spain, North America, South America, and Cuba.  

On September 14, 1909, Martinez made his most famous -- and last -- balloon ascent.  He took off from Valencia, Spain in his balloon named "Mariposa."  He ran into headwinds blowing toward the Balearic Isles.  He an his balloon were last seen about thirty miles offshore over the Atlantic Ocean.  Martinez was never seen again, presumably drowned.

During the summer of 1888, however, the 27-year-old Captain Martinez performed a number of balloon ascension exhibitions from Starin's Glen Island amusement park off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham.  Today's Historic Pelham Blog article details these exhibitions.

There seem to have been three successful balloon ascensions in August, 1888.  At least two others were scheduled but did not take place.

It seems that the first scheduled exhibition was to take place on Tuesday, July 31 from 4:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.  It is quite clear that the scheduled ascension that was advertised a number of times in New York City newspapers did not take place, perhaps due to weather issues, though there is no indication in the record as to why the exhibition did not go forward.  

On Saturday, August 4, 1888, Martinez appeared with his balloon for an ascension from Starin's Glen Island, a popular summer resort off the shores of New Rochelle and Pelham.  At 1:30 p.m. that day, Martinez,  forty laborers needed to control the balloon, about twenty newspaper reporters, and the publicity agent for Starin's Glen Island resort boarded a Glen Island steam launch at Pier 18 on the Hudson River.  With them was a huge box containing the balloon.  They departed for Glen Island where the exhibition would take place.  

The exhibition was a truly grand spectacle.  The massive crowd of about nine thousand spectators were milling about on Glen Island awaiting the ascent.  There even were a dozen or so famed balloonists present for the ghoulish reason that "they expected to witness a balloon ascension that might possibly terminate fatally."  

The massive balloon was gold.  It was more than 108 feet high, 150 feet in circumference, and could hold 370,000 square feet of hot air.  Made of satin, the balloon at first lay on the ground with guy ropes attached and about 25 laborers ready to hold it once filled with hot air.  Some of the ropes were attached to two masts on either side of the gas bag.  Given the amount of hot air needed, a brick furnace had been built near the waters edge.  Alcohol and wood was used to create the roaring fire necessary to fill the balloon with hot air.

At about 5:00 p.m., the fire in the furnace was begun and hot air began to pour into the balloon which began to swell and dance.  Two brass bands played festively as all eyes focused on the aeronaut, Captain Esteban Martinez.  

Martinez was dressed in blue worsted tights.  He wore gold socks to match his gold balloon.  There does not appear to have been a gondola on the balloon.  Rather, Martinez planned to hold onto a rope as the balloon carried him into the heavens.

To make the exhibition even more exciting, John H. Starin -- owner of the Glen Island resort -- promised to hand Martinez a check for $1,000 if he could get the balloon to soar to 4,000 feet and then successfully parachute to the earth below.  As Starin put it, he wanted Martinez to "drop, with nothing to break his fall but a parachute."  Martinez, who had done it before, was prepared to do it again.  A gentle breeze blew from the southeast as the laborers struggled to hold the ropes and control the balloon.

A little before 6:00 p.m., the wind changed.  It veered around to the northwest.  A massive thunderstorm loomed.  The wind grew violent.  According to one account, the wind "swooped down upon the balloon like a terrier on a rat."  The balloon was blown violently onto its side, snapping one of the tall masts to which it was tethered.  Then, the heavens opened as the violent storm swept over the crowd.  Plans for the ascension were scuttled.  Various news accounts reported the ascent would be tried again within a few days.

Finally, on Wednesday, August 8, 1888, Martinez made his first successful balloon ascension from Glen Island "in the presence of an immense crowd."  It took a half cord of wood and four gallons of alcohol burned in the brick furnace to fill the gold balloon with hot air as a "small army" of laborers held the balloon in place with guy ropes.

Martinez was attired in his signature blue tights and gold socks with russet shoes.  Once again, winds in the area were brisk.  Once the balloon was filled, Martinez grasped a single rope dangling from the balloon with only one hand and shouted "Let her go!."  The laborers let go and the massive balloon "darted upwards with the velocity of a cannon ball.  Within moments, the strong winds began to blow the balloon almost perpendicular to the ground out over the mainland.

At first the balloon took off in a northwesterly direction.  As it drifted over the mainland, it only made it to an altitude of about 2,000 feet where the winds shifted to a southwesterly direction.  Soon the balloon was drifting toward the little settlement of Pelhamville in the Town of Pelham.   

John H. Starin of Glen Island started a horse and wagon in pursuit on local roadways to follow the balloon.  Although newspaper advertisements had promised a two-hour balloon flight, the flight actually lasted only about twelve minutes.  Moreover, because the balloon only reached an altitude of 2,000 feet and was carried away from Glen Island so swiftly by the winds, Martinez reportedly chose not to descend by parachute.

After about twelve minutes, the balloon began to descend toward Pelhamville where the horse and wagon found Martinez and his balloon, slightly damaged from the landing, in "a field near Pelhamville."  News accounts of the exploit reported the following day that Martinez would try another ascension the following Saturday.

Indeed, on Saturday, August 11, Captain Martinez tried again.  This time the wind was not a problem.  Only a gentle breeze was blowing.  

This time Martinez knew it would be a good ride.  According to one account:  

"The agile Captain, attired in blue tights and wearing russet shoes and a pair of old-gold socks, matching the color of the balloon, pranced in a lively manner around the airy monster excitedly shouting directions in a jargon of Spanish and Italian to a score or so of the sleepy-looking descendants of the Imperial Caesars who were manipulating the various guy ropes."

Once the balloon was filled and "stretched to its utmost capacity," the aeronaut shouted "Let her go!"  As the laborers let go, the balloon darted upward, again, "with the velocity of a cannon ball."  Once again, Martinez "clung by one hand to a single line suspended" from his balloon.  

This time the balloon ascended about 3,000 feet and, once again, took a southwesterly course.  The balloon drifted toward the border between Pelham and New Rochelle where it descended, again, after about twelve minutes.  This time, according to one account, the balloon came down onto the roof of the Roosevelt home in Pelham Manor.  (The report erroneously stated the home stood in New Rochelle, but it actually was located on Long Island Sound along Shore Road in today's Pelham Bay Park not far from New Rochelle's border with Pelham.)  The report stated:

"He landed on the top of Mr. Roosevelt's house in New Rochelle, nearly frightening the family to death, as they did not see him descending."

Esteban Martinez was not finished.  He tried one more balloon flight, hoping to stage a more exciting exhibition.  

On Tuesday, August 14, 1888, a crowd of about 8,000 spectators gathered again on Glen Island for another balloon flight by Martinez.  Shortly after 5:00 p.m., the balloon lifted off but took a southeasterly flight over Long Island Sound toward City Island in the Town of Pelham.  

The balloon only reached an altitude of about 2,000 feet before it began to descend slowly.  After a twenty minute flight, it touched down in the waters of the Long Island Sound about two miles southeast of Glen Island beyond City island.

John H. Starin sent a Glen Island steam launch to follow the balloon during its flight over the Long Island Sound.  When the steamship reached Martinez and his balloon, they found Martinez floating "with the aid of life-preservers under his arms."  The launch picked up Martinez and his collapsed balloon and carried them back to Glen Island where everyone wanted to know why he had not descended by parachute from any of his flights!  Captain Martinez's "manager" offered an interesting explanation.  He said "the reason why he had not carried out his intention to descend from the balloon with a parachute was because the management of Glen Island [had] refused to expend $75 for a parachute."

Whether disappointment, schedule, or other reasons played a role, Martinez apparently performed no further balloon flights from Glen Island.  But, on three occasions during August, 1888, Pelhamites thrilled to the sight of a giant balloon flying high above their heads in the beautiful skies of the little Town of Pelham. 

Personal Calling Card of Captain Esteban Martinez.

1888 Advertisement for Captain Esteban Martinez Balloon

Ascension from Glen Island Scheduled for July 31, 1888.

"FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE EARTH.  Tuesday, July 31,

4 to 6 P.M., at GLEN ISLAND.  Two Hours in Mid Air.  Capt.

MARTINEZ WILL DESCEND FROM A BALLOON.  4,000

feet through the air."  Source:  FROM THE CLOUDS TO THE

EARTH [Advertisement], The Evening Post [NY, NY], Jul. 28,

1888, Vol. 87, p. 10, col. 5.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

1888 Advertisement for Captain Esteban Martinez Balloon

Ascension from Glen Island Scheduled for August 4, 1888.

"TWO HOURS IN MID-AIR.   CAPT. MARTINEZ, renowned

throughout Europe, with the aid of his Patent Parasol, will

descend from a Balloon 4,000 FEET TO THE EARTH, SATURDAY,

AUG. 4, 4 TO 6 P.M., AT GLEN ISLAND."  Source:  TWO HOURS

IN MID-AIR [Advertisement], The World [NY, NY], Aug. 1, 1888,

Evening Edition, p. 4, col. 5.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Images of 19th Century Balloon Aeronauts Performing on Balloon

Trapeze, Parachuting, and Hanging from Balloons.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

*          *          *          *          *

"Capt. Martinez at Glen Island.

On the afternoon of to-morrow, Aug. 4, between the hours of 1 and 6 P.M., Capt. Martinez, the aeronaut, will give  performance of two hours' duration on Glen Island, and in that time will demonstrate how easy it is to sail up and fall down through the atmosphere.  The exhibitions of Capt. Martinez are among the most interesting and uniformly successful of any air-ship and parachute performances."

Source:  Capt. Martinez at Glen Island, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 3, 1888, p. 4, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

-- Captain Martinez will descend from a balloon 4,000 feet from the earth, with the aid of a parachute, at Glen Island this afternoon, between four and six o'clock.  He will be two hours in mid air.  The spectacle will be worth witnessing, and all who wish to see a novel adventure should go to the island. . . ."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 4, 1888, Vol. XXIX, No. 19, p. 3, cols. 1-2.

"BALLOON ASCENSION. -- Captain Martinez, the cloud king, will ascend 4,000 feet in a hot air balloon, at Glen Island, this afternoon, and descend by the aid of his patent parasol."

Source:  BALLOON ASCENSION, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 4, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,452, p. 4, col. 3.

"TOO MUCH COLD AIR.
------
THE BALLOON DID NOT SAIL UPWARD, BUT MAY YET DO SO.

There were probably a dozen well-known aeronauts at Glen Island yesterday.  They had not been engaged by Mr. John H. Starin to perform any peculiarly perilous feat.  They went to Glen Island of their own accord and because they expected to witness a balloon ascension that might possibly terminate fatally.  But these aeronauts secured no attention from the thousands of other people who went to Glen Island yesterday.  

The crowd had eyes only for Capt. Stephen Martinez and a big gold-colored balloon.  The balloon occupied one of the few level spots on the island, the lawn on the northeastern waterfront.  Capt. Martinez, clad in blue worsted tights, capered about it giving directions to about 25 Italians, whom he had employed to fill it with hot air and help to hold it down after its appetite had been appeased.

The balloon is 108 feet high and 150 feet in circumference.  It will hold 370,000 feet of air without bursting, and is made of satteen.  Martinez told Mr. Starin that it gave him an appetite to ascend 4,000 feet in a balloon and then drop, with nothing to break his fall but a parachute.  Mr. Starin told him to accomplish the feat and $1,000 was his.

Martinez was to have made the ascension at 6 o'clock last evening.  A brick furnace was built for the purpose of generating hot air.  Alcohol was burned in the furnace.  The latter was fired at 5 o'clock, and the balloon began to swell and dance after the usual fashion of balloons.  The Italians hung to the ropes as if well aware their wages depended upon their grip.  A gentle zephyr blew from the southeast and gave the Italians just enough to do to keep them in a boiling perspiration.  The surrounding eminences were crowded with people, and both the island bands did their whole duty.

The scene changed with the wind.  The latter veered round to the northwest and then swooped down upon the balloon like a terrier on a rat.  The balloon went to grass like a flash, and one of the long poles to which some of the ropes were attached was snapped in the middle and fell with a crash, narrowly missing one of the Italians in its descent.  Nobody was hurt except Martinez, who complained in a mixture of Spanish, French, and Italian that his feelings were greatly bruised.  The ascension was not made on account of the storm that followed on the heels of the nor'wester.  Martinez will make a second attempt to-morrow."

Source:  TOO MUCH COLD AIR -- THE BALLOON DID NOT SAIL UPWARD, BUT MAY YET DO SO, N. Y. Times, Aug. 5, 1888, Vol. XXXVII, No. 11,523, p. 5, col. 3 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"THE WIND WOULDN'T HAVE IT.
-----
GLEN ISLAND'S BALLOON ASCENSION STOPPED BY AN ACCIDENT -- A PICKPOCKET NABBED.

About nine thousand persons went to Glen Island yesterday with the expectation of seeing a balloon ascension that was advertised to be made by Professor Steven Martinez.  But they were all doomed to disappointment.  The high wind and an accident to one of the masts to which the balloon was secured having frustrated the Professor's intentions. 

At a quarter to five o'clock the inflation of the balloon was commenced.  It required thirty-seven thousand cubic feet of hot air to swell the air ship to the desired proportions.  In half an hour it began to rise simultaneously with the hopes of the Professor and the anxious assemblage.  Then the wind started in to have some fun with it, and tossed it about to its heart's content, after which it struck one of the masts and simultaneously swept all doubts from the Professor's mind and the mast from its altitudinous height, breaking it in two as it fell.  Then the aeronaut gave it up for the day, and so did the crowd, who assuaged their disappointment by meandering through the many winding lanes and in drinking lager.

Just as Mr. John P. Peet, of No. 1,501 Broadway was getting on the New Rochelle ferryboat in the afternoon he felt some one tugging at his watch chain.  Looking around he saw a thief moving away with his watch.  He gave chase and caught him by the arm.  The thief resisted and dropped the watch, but a Glen Island policeman grabbed hi, and after clubbing him into submission, turned him over to a deputy sheriff of New Rochelle.  The thief was at once taken across the ferry and arraigned before Justice Stevens, who opened court immediately and put him under $1,000 bail, in default of which he was locked up.

He gave his name as George Hawley, of No. 129 Eldridge street, New York, but Police Captain Forbeli, of New Rochelle, identified him as 'Buck' Hurley, a notorious Sixth ward pickpocket, who was arrested in Philadelphia with 'Kid' Maginnisss, one of his pals, last September, for picking pockets, and shortly afterward in Danbury, Conn., for the same offence.  There 'Buck's' photograph was taken, and it now adorns the Rogues' Gallery at Police Headquarters in this city."

Source:  THE WIND WOULDN'T HAVE IT -- GLEN ISLAND'S BALLOON ASCENSION STOPPED BY AN ACCIDENT -- A PICKPOCKET NABBED, N.Y. Herald, Aug. 5, 1888, No. 18,976, p. 8, col. 5.  

"WILL TRY HIS BALLOON TO-MORROW.

Captain Stephen Martinez, 'an aeronaut of European celebrity,' arranged with John H. Starin to go up 4,000 feet in a big balloon yesterday and then to drop down by means of a parachute.  The ascent was to be made from Glen Island, and if he succeeded a check for $1,000 was to be put into his hand by the enterprising owner of the famous day summer resort on the Sound.  At 1:30 p.m. the Captain, a lithe, small-sized Spaniard, twenty-seven years old and unmarried, stepped aboard one of the Glen Island boats at Pier 18, North River.  He had with him a gang of forty Italian laborers, a huge box containing the balloon material, a score of reporters and the obliging agent of the Starin line, Mr. Starling.  Martinez stated that he had already performed the feat scores of times in different European countries as well as in South America.  The average throng of visitors to the island was increased by thousands who went to see the ascent and descent.  A furnace was built on a green spot close to the water's edge.  There were fifteen gallons of alcohol, and from this enough hot air was to be obtained to inflate the balloon to a height of 108 feet and a circumference of about 150 feet.  Ropes were attached to two upright poles to keep down the balloon while it was filling.  When half filled the wind veered suddenly from southeast to southwest, one of the poles snapped and down came the whole fabric, the material of which was sateen and cost $200.  Several disgruntled balloonists who had been hovering around with jealous mien, suddenly came together and exclaimed 'I told you so.'  Captain Martinez himself, nothing daunted, laid all the blame on the wind, said he would try again to-morrow and asserted that he would be successful this time, weather permitting."

Source:  WILL TRY HIS BALLOON TO-MORROW, New-York Tribune, Aug. 5, 1888, p. 8, col. 2 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

"Balloon Ascension at Glen Island.

The balloon ascension which was to have taken place at Glen Island on Saturday under the direction of Capt. Martinez had to be postponed because before the balloon could be filled the wind developed such force and the arrangements were so incomplete that it toppled over and the attempt was given up.  It will go up to-morrow, however, and the Captain will show his daring by giving performance on the trapeze in mid-air."

Source:  Balloon Ascension at Glen Island, The Daily Standard-Union [Brooklyn, NY], Aug. 6, 1888, Vol. XXV, No. 155, p. 4, col. 1.  

"TO ASCEND TO-DAY. -- Captain Martinez did not succeed on Saturday afternoon in making his ascension in a balloon and descending in a parachute at Glen Island, because the elements conspired to postpone it.  Just as everything was about ready to start, a strong wind, which preceded the thunder storm, struck the balloon and collapsed it.  It was then decided to make another attempt this afternoon, at 4 o'clock, when the Air King, as he is called, hopes to make one of the most daring ascensions and descents ever attempted."

Source:  TO ASCEND TO-DAY, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 6, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,453, p. 4, col. 3.

"The Ascension Made at Last.

Captain Martinez made his balloon ascension at Glen Island, yesterday, in the presence of an immense crowd.  The balloon was inflated with the hot air from half a cord of wood and four gallons of alcohol.  The mammoth globe  was held in place by a small army of Italians and by guy ropes.

At the signal, the balloon darted off, carried in a northwesterly direction by a strong breeze.  It was intended that the Captain should descend in a parachute, but, as he and his balloon were carried away swiftly, that part of the programme was not carried out.  Mr. Starin started a horse and wagon after it.

It was found that the Captain had descended safely in a field near Pelhamville.  The balloon, uninjured, was put into the wagon, and brought back to the island.

Martinez will make another ascent on Saturday, when it is hoped there will not be so much wind."

Source:  The Ascension Made at Last, The Yonkers Statesman, Aug. 9, 1888, Vol. V, No. 1,456, p. 4, col. 3.

"LOCAL NEWS. . . .

-- The balloon ascension by Capt. Martinez which was to have taken place from Glen Island, last Saturday afternoon, occurred on Wednesday afternoon of this week.  When all the preparations had been completed, the Captain ascended about 1,000 feet in the air, and then moved along steadily in a westerly direction, over the Island and over the main land, when he soon caused the balloon to descend slowly, and finally landed in a swamp in the Iselin property on Weyman avenue, back of the Abramson place."

Source:  LOCAL NEWS, The New Rochelle Pioneer, Aug. 11, 1888, Vol. XIX, No. 20, p. 3, cols. 1-2.  

"Balloon Ascent at Glen Island.

Capt. Martinez, the South American aeronaut, will make his second balloon ascent at Glen Island this afternoon, and another on Tuesday afternoon.

A great crowd attended his exhibition of skill and daring last Wednesday, though the weather was very adverse."

Source:  Balloon Ascent at Glen Island, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 11, 1888, Evening Edition, p. 2, col. 5.  

"CAPT. MARTINEZ GOES UP.

HE HANGS ON TO THE BALLOON AND VALIANTLY COMES DOWN AGAIN.

The Spanish aeronaut, Capt. Estebon Martinez, made another balloon ascension at Glen Island yesterday afternoon, drawing a large crowd of spectators.  The wind, which on previous occasions had caused considerable difficulty by driving the heated air out of the balloon as soon as the latter showed any disposition to become inflated, was most accommodating, and at 5 o'clock, the hour set for the ascension, only the gentlest of zephyrs was blowing.  The agile Captain, attired in blue tights and wearing russet shoes and a pair of old-gold socks, matching the color of the balloon, pranced in a lively manner around the airy monster excitedly shouting directions in a jargon of Spanish and Italian to a score or so of the sleepy-looking descendants of the Imperial Caesars who were manipulating the various guy ropes.

Everything at last ready, and the big balloon, now puffed out and stretched to its utmost capacity, was struggling to free itself.  'Let her go,' shouted the aeronaut.  Somebody supplemented 'Gallagher.'  The ropes were quickly loosened and the big balloon darted upward with the velocity of a cannon ball, carrying it its flight the daring Captain, who gracefully clung by one hand to a single line suspended from it.

After ascending about 3,000 feet in an almost perpendicular direction the balloon took a southwesterly course, and in 12 minutes' time began to come down, landing in the grounds of a private residence, about two miles from the town of New-Rochelle.  Capt. Martinez escaped without injury, but the balloon ws slightly damaged."

Source:  CAPT. MARTINEZ GOES UP -- HE HANGS ON TO THE BALLOON AND VALIANTLY COMES DOWN AGAIN, N.Y. Times, Aug. 12, 1888.  

"Capt. Martinez Up in His Balloon Again.

Capt. Martinez made another ascension in his balloon at Glen Island yesterday afternoon in the presence of 8,000 persons.  He started shortly after 5 o'clock, the balloon taking a southerasterly direction up the sound.  When the balloon had reached a height of about two thousand feet it began to descend slowly and in the space of twenty minutes from the time of its leaving Glen Island it touched the waters of the Sound about two miles away.

Capt. Martinez on striking the water floated around with the aid of life-preservers under his arms until he was picked up by one of Starin's steam launches, which brought him and his collapsed balloon ashore.  Capt. Martinez's manager said that the reason why he had not carried out his intention to descend from the balloon with a parachute was because the management of Glen Island [had] refused to expend $75 for a parachute."

Source:  Capt. Martinez Up in His Balloon Again, The Evening World [NY, NY], Aug. 15, 1888, Evening Edition, p. 3, col. 4 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"Balloon Ascension at Glen Island.

In the presence of a large number of persons at Glen Island last evening Capt. Martinez made another ascension in his balloon.  The balloon reached a height of 2,000 feet and descended in the Sound, two miles distant from the Island.  The Captain was picked up by a steam launch."

Source:  Balloon Ascension at Glen Island, The Daily Standard-Union [Brooklyn, NY], Aug. 15, 1888, Vol. XXV, No. 163, p. 3, col. 1.  

"Captain Martinez made a successful balloon ascension recently at Glen Island, in the presence of a large number of spectators.  He went up about 3,000 feet and came down in his air ship, not using the parachute.  He landed on the top of Mr. Roosevelt's house in New Rochelle, nearly frightening the family to death, as they did not see him descending."

Source:  [Untitled], The Recorder [Mount Kisco, NY], Aug. 24, 1888, Vol. 15, No. 20, p. 1, col. 6.  

"DARING FEAT BY AN AERONAUT. -- The Catalonia, which arrived at Queenstown on Monday night from Boston, brought particulars of the Spanish aeronaut's (Estebon Martinez) daring balloon ascension at Glen Island on the 11th inst., which drew a large crowd of spectators.  The agile captain was attired in blue tights, and wearing russet shoes and gold socks matching the colour of the balloon.  Everything ws at last ready.  'Let her go,' shouted the aeronaut.  The ropes were quickly loosened, and the big balloon darted upwards with the velocity of a cannon ball, carrying in its flight the daring captain, who gracefully clung by one hand to a single line suspended from it.  After ascending about 2000 feet in an almost perpendicular direction the balloon took a south-western course and in twelve minutes' time began to come down, landing in the grounds of a private residence about two miles from the town of New Rochelle.  Captain Martinez escaped without injury, but the balloon was slightly damaged."

Source:  DARING FEAT BY AN AERONAUT, Aberdeen Weekly Journal and General Advertiser for the North of Scotland [Aberdeen, Scotland], Sep. 1, 1888, Vol. CXI, No. 77,377, p. 3, col. 5 (NOTE:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "The Haunted History of Pelham, New York"
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

Famed Aeronaut Landed His Awe-Inspiring Balloon in Pelham Waters on July 7, 1866

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.
Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."

What a grand and awe-inspiring sight the fifteen hundred residents of the little Town of Pelham experienced on Saturday, July 7, 1866.  Those lucky ones who gazed skyward saw the great Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe, known as Professor T.S.C. Lowe, in his massive hot air balloon as it descended from the heavens directly above the little town.  Clearly the famous and massive balloon was descending.  The question buzzing through Pelham at the time must have been "where would Professor Lowe and his balloon come down?"

Professor Lowe was an internationally-renowned American Civil War "aeronaut" (i.e., balloonist), scientist, and inventor.  Born on August 20, 1832, by the 1850s Lowe already was widely-known for his advances in the fields of meteorology and aeronautics.  His scientific career, however, was cut short by the onset of the American Civil War.

During that war, Lowe offered his services as an "aeronaut" and helped develop the concept of aerial reconnaisance as part of military operations.  In July, 1861, President Lincoln appointed Lowe the "Chief Aeronaut" of the Union Army Balloon Corps.  According to one brief biography of Lowe:  "Though his work was generally successful, it was not fully appreciated by all members of the military, and disputes over his operations and pay scale forced him to resign in 1863.  Lowe returned to the private sector and continued his scientific exploration of hydrogen gas manufacturing."  Source:  "Thaddeus S.C. Lowe" in Wikipedia - The Free Encyclopedia (visited Jan. 2, 2017).  

After the Civil War, Professor T.S.C. Lowe opened an "Aeronautic Amphitheatre" on the west side of Manhattan near Central Park.  The extensive facility with grandstands, concessions, and other amenities, was located at West 59th Street and 6th Avenue.  There Lowe staged hot air balloon exhibitions, offered tethered balloon rides for a fee ranging from $1 to $3, offered sky-high gymnastics performances by trapeze artists and others hanging from balloons, and presented concerts, military parades, fireworks, and other crowd-pleasing antics to the delight of thousands of New Yorkers.  At the time, interest in aeronautics and ballooning was becoming a passion among New Yorkers.  Professor Lowe leveraged that passion into a business that attracted attention throughout the world and made him even more famous.  Indeed, in July, 1866, "Lowe's Aeronautic Amphitheatre" and the science of aeronautics were becoming so successful that Lowe began publishing a monthly newspaper known as Lowe's Balloon Pictorial (see cover of first issue below).  

On Saturday, July 7, 1866, Professor Lowe invited a reporter (likely from the New York Herald) to join him in an untethered balloon flight taking off from Lowe's Aeronautic Amphitheatre.  The day was quite hot and, as usual, crowds gathered to watch the spectacle of balloon flight.

Lowe's balloon was christened the "United States."  It was a giant gas bag about eighty feet in diameter, emblazoned with an image of the globe with an American Eagle perched atop the earth and with Lowe's likeness plastered across the image of the globe and an image of the American Flag draped down the side of the globe.  The gas bag was covered in cord-netting that extended downward beneath the balloon to a massive gondola capable of carrying a group of people.  The image immediately below, from an issue of Harper's Weekly published only months before the July 7th voyage, shows the "United States."  Professor Lowe is standing in the middle of the group depicted in the inset on the upper left of the image.  

Engraving of Professor Lowe and His Balloon, United States,

Taking Off from Lowe's Aeronautic Ampitheater Near Central Park.

Prof. Lowe is the Tallest Figure of the Three in the Upper Left Inset.

"THE BALLOON BRIDAL PARTY STARTING ON ITS AERIAL TOUR

FROM PROF. LOWE'S AMPITHEATRE, CENTRAL PARK, NOVEMBER

5, 1865."  Source:  Harper's Weekly, Nov. 25, 1865, p. 745.

NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

Professor Lowe and the reporter took off in the balloon on that Saturday afternoon and began drifting high above the hustle and bustle of Manhattan.  The balloon floated off toward the northeast.  Lowe had told colleagues that he would fly the balloon for the afternoon and land the airship by 6:00 p.m.  

Rising quickly, the "United States" floated high into the sky and drifted out over the East River.  Soon the balloon floated high above Long Island Sound where, according to some reports, it next hung motionless for several hours.  Surely residents of City Island and Pelham, as well as residents of much of Long Island, stood gazing at the skies above Long Island Sound, mouths agape and shaking their heads at the marvel of modern technology.

After a time, the balloon began to descend until it reached an "undercurrent" that blew it toward Fort Schuyler at the tip of Throggs Neck, adjacent to Eastchester Bay and near Pelham Bridge.  The appointed time for landing, 6:00 p.m., came and went.  Still, the balloon floated above Long Island Sound.  As the balloon continued its descent toward the calm waters below, Professor Lowe joked to the reporter that he could land the balloon in the waters of the Sound and use the gas bag to "sail" the balloon across the water.  According to multiple accounts, the pair agreed to try the stunt and fortified themselves with bottles of "refreshments" they had brought on board at the start of their journey.  

Once the balloon had descended to a point about one hundred feet above Pelham Bay, Professor Lowe used a valve to allow sufficient gas to escape and lowered the balloon into the waters of Pelham Bay.  The balloon landed in the midst of the "white sails of a hundred pleasure boats" while "along the shore tourists in costumes light as air lazily held fishing rods" while watching the spectacle.

Immediately a "dozen skiffs were put off with friendly offers of assistance to the balloonists."  The pair waved off the boats as Professor Lowe handled the now-water-borne craft.  As the wind caught the partially deflated gas bag, the airship began skimming the surface of the water "with the grace of a bird."  According to one account, "[d]espite the trifling inconvenience of wet jackets and spoiled provisions, the sail, although of short duration, was thoroughly enjoyable."

Back in Manhattan and on much of the mainland, observers grew alarmed as they watched the airship descend toward the waters of Long Island Sound.  Many feared Professor Thaddeus Sobieski Constantine Lowe and his famous airship, the "United States," were lost.  What those spectators could not see was the rescue that followed.

Within minutes of the water landing and the brief "sail" of the airship, "the balloon was surrounded by boats."  The boats and their occupants rowed Professor Lowe, the reporter, and the waterlogged balloon to City Island where the group prepared themselves and the balloon for a return to New York City and Lowe's Aeronautic Amphitheatre.

Some newspapers reported breathlessly that Lowe, his balloon, and passenger were "lost."  One reported that although Lowe had agreed to land by 6:00 p.m., the balloon was still floating above Long Island Sound well into Saturday evening and, by Sunday, no one had yet heard from Professor Lowe or the reporter.

City Island in the Town of Pelham may have seemed distant from Manhattan to most New Yorkers, but it was only about fourteen miles from the Aeronautic Amphitheatre.  Thus, Professor Lowe, his balloon, and the reporter soon returned to New York to the relief of all who had tickets to attend upcoming balloon exhibitions at Lowe's Aeronautic Amphitheatre. . . . 

Cover of the First Issue of Professor Lowe's Balloon

Pictorial, Vol. 1, No. 1 (Jul. 1866).  Professor Lowe is

Depicted on the Cover with a Tethered Balloon at His

Ampitheater in the Background.  NOTE:  Click on

Image to Enlarge.

Undated Photograph of Professor T.S.C. Lowe Taken

in About 1890.  Source:  Huntington Digital Library,

"Professor T.S.C. Lowe" by Charles C. Pierce (1861-

1946), The Huntington Library, Art Collections, and

Botanical Gardens, Photo Archives, Unique Digital

Identifier 35009.  NOTE:  Click on Image to Enlarge.

"Harry Leslie's Gymnastic Feat Over Lowe's

Aeronautic Ampitheatre, New York City,

September 30, 1865, Artist's Impression."

Source:  Frank Leslie's Illustrated Newspaper,

Oct. 21, 1865, p. 68.  NOTE:  Click on Image

to Enlarge.

July 11, 1866 Advertisement for Professor Lowe's

Aeronautic Amphitheatre.  Source:  PROF. LOWE'S

AERONAUTIC AMPHITHEATRE [Advertisement],

N.Y. Times, Jul. 11, 1866, p. 7 col. 6 (Note:  Paid

subscription required to access via this link).  NOTE:

Click on Image to Enlarge.

To facilitate search, the text of the advertisement immediately above appears immediately below:

"PROF. LOWE'S AERONAUTIC AMPHITHEATRE.
59th-st. and 6th-av., Central Park.  BALLOON ASCENSION.  Prie of Ascension from $1 to $3.  HARRY LESLIE in his wonderful feats.  Orchestral concert on WEDNESDAY, at 2 P.M.  Open every day.  Admission 25 cents." 

*          *          *          *          *

Below is the text of a number of articles that form the basis of today's posting to the Historic Pelham Blog.  Each is followed by a citation and link to its source.

“BY AIR AND WATER. 
----- 
Novel Experiences in a Balloon – It ‘Lands’ in the Water and Sails Along the Bay – The Sound, the Ships, the Scenery, &c. 

The tuft-hunting Boswell ‘posed’ Dr. Johnson completely when he asked, ‘Pray, sir, what should you do if you were shut up with a baby in a tower?’ It wasn’t the tower that bothered the crusty old Doctor so much as the baby, and so, not having had much experience in the management of infants who pass their monage in a chronic state of stomach-ache and congestion of the brain, he replied, ‘Hold your tongue, sir!’ But what if he had been asked how he could manage a balloon? Bozzy would have had him there. And not alone Dr. Johnson, for there are thousands who never see a balloon in the air without indulging in such epithets as ‘rash’ and ‘foolhardy,’ and thanking Heaven for leaving them just sufficient sense to remain on the earth. And yet ballooning is simple enough; and the concise narrative which follows will show that under any probable circumstances the risk to life and limb is comparatively slight: -- 

On Saturday last Professor Lowe and anther gentleman – the ‘pup Alexander’ was at Saratoga for the benefit of his health – started on an aerial excursion in the balloon ‘United States’ from the Aeronautic amphitheatre, at the Park. The day was favorable in every respect, and the weather was so hot that the prospect of a cool breeze in mid air lent an additional charm to the ascent. Rising with stately grace from among the trees of the Park, the voyagers had the satisfaction of seeing with gradually expanding beauty the magnificent panorama which lay at their feet. The mighty city, throbbing through all its daedalian [sic] arteries with the giant pulsations of business life; the winding rivers, glittering like a myriad of diamonds in the rays of the sun, and gradually converging into one vast expanse of shining sea; the beautiful Park, studded with trees and temples, and intersected by shining white pathways which looked no wider than a string of whipcord; the noble mountains seemingly incorporate with clouds and lining the horizon like the background of a picture; the skies themselves alternate white and blue, reflecting here and there the gleaming of the setting sun – all these gave to the travelers sensations of wonder and delight. The littleness of man is a legitimate subject of his own speculation, and the only reason why he does not more frequently derive profit from the exercise is that he prefers, for the most part, to consider the littleness of others. But in this respect alone a voyage in a balloon is of inestimable value. When mighty buildings and noble bridges begin to appear insignificant – nay, when a whole capital lies, as it were, within a span at his feet, man is apt to bethink him of his trifling self. 

Going swiftly in a northeasterly direction, the good air-ship United States, with its dauntless skipper ever at its helm, rapidly passed the bounds of the city, and at a height of two miles and a half crossed the East river and stood motionless over Long Island Sound. Here it commenced to descend slowly, when, striking the under current, it was again driven towards the neighborhood of Fort Schuyler. Then the Professor jocularly proposed to his companion to try a sail in the balloon on the water, and, after having refreshed themselves from divers [sic] bottles which had been provided for the contingency of either of the voyagers getting thirsty – not an improbable one on such a day – they decided to attempt the sail. Gradually losing its buoyancy as a consequence of the valve being opened, the inflated monster neared the earth. Trees, houses, ships, and the water itself, which had appeared so insignificant a minute before, gradually grew in size and importance, until it seemed as though the balloon were about to sink into the bowels of the earth; but when within a hundred feet of the surface the buoy was lowered into Pelham bay. 

Here one of the most picturesque sights it is possible to imagine was presented. The white sails of a hundred pleasure boats were moving slowly along the calm surface of the water, while along the shore tourists in costumes light as air lazily held fishing rods with quiet enjoyment. A dozen skiffs were put off with friendly offers of assistance to the balloonists; but the air ship itself skimmed the surface of the water with the grace of a bird. Despite the trifling inconvenience of wet jackets and spoiled provisions, the sail, although of short duration, was thoroughly enjoyable. In a few minutes after this peculiar ‘landing,’ the balloon was surrounded by boats, and, taking advantage of the friendliness of their occupants, the aerial travellers got into one of them and were rowed in triumph to Island City [sic], Westchester county.” 

Source: BY AIR AND WATER -- Novel Experiences in a Balloon – It ‘Lands’ in the Water and Sails Along the Bay – The Sound, the Ships, the Scenery, &c., N.Y. Herald, Jul. 10, 1866, p. 5, col. 4.

"PROFESSOR LOWE SAFE. -- We announced a day or two ago that Professor Low had made an ascent in his balloon, and had not since been heard of. The New York Herald says that, going swiftly in a northeasterly direction, the good air-ship United States, with its dauntless skipper ever at its helm, rapidly passed the bounds of the city, and at a height of two miles and a half crossed the East river and stood motionless over Long Island sound. Here he commenced to descend slowly, when, striking the under-current, it was again driven towards the neighborhood of Fort Schuyler. Then the Professor jocularly proposed to his companion to try a sail in the balloon on the water; and after having refreshed themselves from divers [sic] bottles, which had been provided for the contingency of either of the voyagers getting thirsty – not an improbable one on such a day – they decided to attempt the sail. Gradually losing its buoyancy us a consequence of the valve being opened, the inflated monster neared the earth. Trees, houses, ships, and the water itself, which had appeared so insignificant a minute before, gradually grew in in size and importance, until it seemed as though the balloon were about to sink into the bowels of the earth; but when within a hundred feet of the surface the buoy was lowered into Pelham bay. 

Here one of the most picturesque sights it is possible to imagine was presented. The white sails of an hundred pleasure boats were moving slowly along the calm surface of the water, while along the shore tourists in costumes light as air lazily held fishing rods with quiet enjoyment. A dozen skiffs were put off with friendly offers of assistance to the balloonists; but the air-ship itself skimmed the surface of the water with the grace of a bird. Despite the trifling inconvenience of wet jackets and spoiled provisions, the sail, although of short duration, was thoroughly enjoyable. In a few minutes alter this peculiar J ‘landing,’ the balloon was surrounded by boats, and, taking advantage of the friendliness of their occupants, the aerial travellers got into one of them, and were rowed in triumph to Island City [sic], Westchester county.” 

Source: PROFESSOR LOWE SAFE, The Daily Dispatch [Richmond, VA], Jul. 12, 1866, p. 3, col. 3.

"A BALLOON ON THE WATER. -- On the 7th inst. Professor Lowe and another gentleman started on an aerial excursion in the balloon 'United States,' from the Aeronautic Ampitheatre, at the Park, New York.  After some time, while the balloon was over Long Island Sound, the professor jocularly proposed to his companion to try a sail in the balloon on the water, and after having refreshed themselves from divers bottles which had been provided for the contingency of either of the voyagers getting thirsty -- they decided to attempt the sail.  'Gradually,' the account says, 'losing its buoyancy as a consequence of the valve being opened, the inflated monster neared the earth.  Trees, houses, ships, and the water itself, which had appeared so insignificant a minute before, gradually grew in size and importance, until it seemed as though the balloon were about to sink into the bowels of the earth; but when within 100 feet of the surface the buoy was lowered into Pelham Bay.  Here one of the most picturesque sights it is possible to imagine was presented.  The white sails of 100 pleasure boats were moving slowly along the calm surface of the water, while along the shore tourists in costumes light as air, lazily held fishing rods with quiet enjoyment.  A dozen skiffs were put off with friendly offers of assistance to the balloonists; but the air ship itself skimmed the surface of the water with the grace of a bird.  Despite the trifling inconvenience of wet jackets and spoiled provisions, the sail, although of short duration, was thoroughly enjoyable.  In a few minutes after this peculiar 'landing,' the balloon was surrounded by boats, and taking advantage of the friendliness of their occupants, the aerial travellers got into one of them, and were rowed in triumph to Island City [sic], Westchester county."

Source:  A BALLOON ON THE WATER, The Irish Times [Dublin, Ireland], Jul. 26, 1866, p. 4, col. 8 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

"NEW YORK LETTER. . . . On last Saturday the great aeronaut, Professor LOWE, made a grand detached balloon ascension, and went up pretty high.  He remained up for several hours, and then coming down in Pelham Bay, was himself again, being once more low.  The Professor was picked up by the crew of a little skiff and conveyed in safety to Island City [sic], Westchester County. . . ."

Source:  NEW YORK LETTER, The Charleston Daily News [Charleston, SC], Jul. 14, 1866, p. 2, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).

“—Ballooning is the rage in New York just now. Lowe makes daily ascensions; Mr. Andrews tries his ‘flying ship,’ to see if his improvements will enable him to sail against the wind; Mons. Buislay ascends with his fire balloon, and entertains the people with curious gyrations in the air. Professor Wood was to go up from Brooklyn yesterday, and propose to return in three days. How he will keep his balloon in the air so long, and control it, is not apparent. Professor Lowe, who, as reported, was supposed to be lost on his recent trip, has returned to the city. His balloon remained nearly stationary for three hours over Long Island Sound; and much gas having escaped, he was let down into the water of Pelham bay, but was rescued by men in boats, who took him and his balloon to Island City [sic].” 

Source: [Untitled], Troy Daily Times [Troy, NY], Vol. XV, No. 14, Jul. 11, 1866, p. 2, cols. 5-6.

"On Saturday afternoon, Lowe, the poor balloonist, made an ascension in his mammoth balloon from near the Central Park, N.Y., accompanied by a reporter.  When he left the understanding was that he would descend at 6 p.m. of that day.  When last seen by the agent on Saturday evening the balloon was thought to be over Long Island Sound.  At a late hour on Sunday night nothing had been heard of either the balloon or the party who went up in it."

Source:  [Untitled], National Republican [Washington, D.C.], Jul. 11, 1866, p. 2, col. 4 (Note:  Paid subscription required to access via this link).  

Archive of the Historic Pelham Web Site.

Home Page of the Historic Pelham Blog.
Order a Copy of "Thomas Pell and the Legend of the Pell Treaty Oak."