A Long Ballon Trip

[DaveBrt]

From the Athens, Ga. "Southern Watchman"
May 8, 1861

Prof. S. C. Lowe, the well known aeronaut, ascended at Cincinnati, Ohio, on Saturday morning last, at 4 o'clock, and landed at 10 o'clock, P. M., the same day, in Union District, S. C. He arrived at Columbia on Monday. The "Carolinian" says:
He left Cincinnati on Saturday morning, at 4 o'clock, passed up the valley of the Ohio river to Virginia, with the intention of landing near Petersburg, but after crossing the Alleghanies, a current bore him South between this range and the Blue Ridge. A little before 1 o'clock, he came down near the line between North and South Carolina; but finding himself at too great a distance from any railroad, he ascended again, and next came down at Pea Ridge, in Union District, at 1 o'clock P. M., having thus travelled, by the course he pursued, about 1,200 miles in nine hours. This we think, is the fastest time yet made.
From Pea Ridge, Prof. Lowe was conveyed to Unionville, where he remained until yesterday morning, when he came down to this city, with the intention of going on immediately to Washington, but on learning that there was doubt of getting through, he changed his route, and will leave this morning for Louisville, Ky., where he has located his residence, via Augusta and Nashville.
The balloon has a diameter of 43 feet, is 44 yards in circumference, 55 feet from top to valve, and will hold 40,000 feet of gas.
The result of this experimental trip goes to confirm the belief of Prof. L. in the entire practicability of carrying out his great enterprise, to which he has devoted so much time and money, that of crossing the Atlantic in a balloon. This he will probably attempt during the coming summer.

 

[AndyHall]

Library of Congress. Fair Oaks, Va. Prof. Thaddeus S. Lowe observing the battle from his balloon "Intrepid"

 

[AndyHall]

LoC image, Prof. T.S.C. Lowe, Civil War balloonist.

 

[TSCLowe]

Here is a picture of Lowe's balloon "Enterprise" inflating in Cincinnati the afternoon of April 19, 1861

 

[TSCLowe]

An approximation of Lowe's flight path when he launched in Cincinnati the morning of April 20, 1861. He landed in Unionville, South Carolina just 7 days after the first shots were fired at Ft. Sumter. While the purpose of this flight was to demonstrate winds aloft went from west to east therefore making it possible to cross the Atlantic Ocean, Lowe was detained not once, but 3 times as a "Yankee Spy" as he made his way back north.

 

[TSCLowe]

The field in Unionville, SC where Lowe landed is in the right of this picture. You can also see the shadow of my balloon in the trees to the left.

 

[TSCLowe]

A historical marker was placed on the edge of the property where Lowe landed in Unionville, SC on April 20th after launching in Cincinnati, OH around 3 a.m.

 

[TSCLowe]

While restored, this is the Mason's Meeting House across the street from the field where Lowe landed in Unionville, SC the morning of April 20, 1861. This is the first location Lowe was detained as a "Yankee Spy"

You can see a new monument out front to document the historic moment.

 

[TSCLowe]

The old Union County Jail where Lowe was taken and detained overnight "for his own protection"