| Prof. S.A. King (Boston) Ascent of the "Star Spangled Banner" - the balloon of Prof. S.A. King of Boston 1860s (ca) Carte de visite Private collection of Laddy Kite LL/35875 Prof. Samuel A. King made many ascents in balloons. In one account - Theophilus Parsons Oration delivered on the Fourth of July, 1861, before The Multicipal Authorities of the City of Boston (Boston: J.E. Farwell & Co., 1861), p.58-59. we find the following:
BALLOON ASCENSIONS.
About five o'clock in the afternoon two large Balloons were sent up from the Common, under the direction of Samuel A. King. Both balloons started on their voyage successfully, being freighted with several passengers, who were cheered on their way by a vast assemblage of people. Unfortunately the wind was from the southward, and after reaching a considerable height the aeronauts, finding that they would be swept seaward, without hope of a favoring breeze to waft them again towards land, opened the escape-valves of the balloons, and they both fell speedily from their lofty height, one upon the sand at Winthrop Beach, and the other on the sea some miles from shore. The passengers were all safely delivered from whatever peril they encountered.
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