Welsh UFO sightings from 1847. For sightings from other years please click HERE.
PRESS
August 1847
Cardiff
Identified Flying Object: Interesting account of a hot air balloon demonstration and the crowds it drew.
On August 7th the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian commented:
"BALLOON ASCENT. On Monday next we perceive, by an advertisement, Mr. Green, the far-famed and intrepid Aeronaut, will ascend in his splendid balloon from the immediate neighbourhood of this town. The inhabitants will thus have an opportunity of witnessing a spectacle which, although they may have often hear.! of. has never hitherto been seen in this place. By the kindness of the directors of the Taff Vale Railway, a special train will leave Cardiff for Merthyr and Aberdare immediately after the ascent has been made, thereby permitting such of our friends, in the vale, as may be desirous of being present upon the occasion, an opportunity of returning to their respective homes the same evening. The arrangements entered into for the accommodation of spectators are, we understand, unexceptionable; and should the weather prove propitious, a great treat may be anticipated."
The Monmouthshire Merlin of August 14th 1847 reported on the event:
"CARDIFF. BALLOON ASCENT. Mr. Green, the celebrated aeronaut, made his 369th ascent, in his magnificent new balloon, from a field near Mr. Lisles' foundry, at Cardiff, on Monday last. The balloon was inflated with gas obtained from the Cardiff Gas Company's Works. By Mr. Green's direction, the gas was turned on at eleven o'clock a.m. In a short time the immense machine exhibited symptoms of locomotion, but of a character different from that of a railway engine. Expectation was soon rife. At six o'clock all seemed" in readiness for departure Mr. Green took leave of Mrs. Green in fulness of spirit, after which he mounted the car, accompanied by a gentleman relative. The ropes were detached, and in an instant the aerial monster started from terra firma to its natural element amidst the deafening cheers of the assembled multitude. In a few moments it was seen taking its flight over the channel and towards Somersetshire. It descended a few miles below Clevedon. The immense concourse of persons who had assembled to witness the novelty seemed highly satisfied with the proceedings of the day, as well as with the performance of the Cardiff Amateur band, which greatly enlivened the company by its music."
The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian of the same day went into much greater detail:
"BALLOON ASCENT. On the evening of Monday last, Mr. Green, the veteran and intrepid aeronaut, made his 369th ascent in his magnificent balloon from Mr. Pritchard's field at the bottom of Saint Mary-street, Cardiff, which that gentleman, very generously, placed at the disposal of the aerial voyager and the public. The weather was upon the whole favourable, and the exhibition was viewed by immense crowds, there being nearly a thousand strangers in the town who had arrived that day by the Taff Vale Railway from the various towns and villages along the line. It is estimated that upwards of twelve hundred persons entered the field during the proeess of inflation, while the neighbouring walls, roofs of houses, and other plaecs in the immediate neighbourhood from which a view could be obtained, were crowded.
The Cardiff Amateur Band were in attendance, aud played a variety of fashionable pieces during the evening with their accustomed ability. The balloon was inflated with gas obtained from the Cardiff Gas Company's Works — the process commencing at eleven, A.M., and terminating at five, P.M., at which hour the monstrous machine, floated in its entire vastness, displaying to the wondering eyes of many a splendid novelty. The car was then attached and shortly after six o'c'ock, the preparations having been completed, Mr. Green and a relative took their places. As soon as the moorings had been shaken off the balloon ascended rapidly amidst (of course) loud cheering. It took a south-easterly direction — dashed along at almost railway pace — "borne on the 'pinions of a mighty breeze" — and was seen crossing the channel in the direction of Clevedon.
When he arrived over that town and was preparing to descend, something occurred to induce him to alter his determination he, therefore, threw out ballast — again ascended, and ultimately effected his descent in perfect safety in a field some miles beyond Bristol. The proceedings altogether seemed to afford much gratification to the spectators; but it is to be regretted that many of those who remained outside did not patronize the affair by entering the field. The height attained hy Mr. Green and his companion has been variously estimated; but allowing it to be put down at the mile, will any of our readers inform us how many square yards of the earth's surface were visible to the voyagers at that elevation? This question may afford amusement to some of our juvenile friends in their moments of leisure.
Since the foregoing was put in type we received the following from Mr. Green — On first rising our course was east by south, and we proceeded across the channel direct for Clevedon—passed over the north-end of it where I lowered the balloon with the intention of landing but on approaching the earth we encountered a strong and different current of air which changed our course to east by north, direct for Bristol, near which I could not descend without risking much injury to the balloon from the number that would rush to the spot; I therefore effected the descent in the parish of Nailsea at Smoak Hall farm, about seven miles west from Bristol, and, as we were informed, thirty miles from Cardiff, having been in the atmosphere fifty minutes. We crossed the Channel in twenty-eight minutes, the distance over water being, I think, full twenty miles. Having packed up the balloon without injury and finding, although close to a railway station from which we hoped to get conveyed, that we were too late for any train, we obtained a carriage for ourselves and balloon in which we arrived at the railway station at Bristol about eleven o'c!ock.
-P.S,-Should the above, or any part of the above, appear in your paper, I beg that my best thanks may be tendered to Mr. Bowen, engineer to the Gas Company, for the eifficient inflation of my balloon, and for his kindness and unremitting attention duiing the process. I have also to return thanks to the distinguished families who honoured the ascent with their presence, and the inhabitants of Cardiff and its vicinity; for the great patronage afforded me; also the Superin- tendent of Police, to whom each person within the enclosure is as much indebted as myself for the gratification they may have enjoyed.—C. GREEN.
ACCIDENT. On Monday evening while Mr. Green's balloon was undergoing the process of inflation, a large number of men, boys, and children assembled upon the roof of an old house, with the unworthy object of having a view, gratis, of the proceedings. In the midst of their speculations as to the nature of the vast body which was continually becoming larger and larger, a crash was heard; and house and spectators tumbled to the ground in one confused mass. Several sustained severe cuts and bruises, but fortunately no fatal injuries were received by any. A strong body of police under the command of the superintendent preserved admirable order throughout the afternoon."
PRESS
September 6th 1847
Merthyr
Identified Flying Object: Not to be outdone by Green, Richard Gypson put on a public balloon display in Merthyr that September. The Monmouthshire Merlin of September 4th 1847 reported that "Mr. Gypson, the aeronaut, intends making an ascent on next Monday." referencing an advert placed in the Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian:
"IMMENSE ATTRACTION! GRAND BALLOON ASCENT!! In the POST-OFFICE FIELD, MERTHYR, which will be entirely Enclosed for the occasion, the entrance to be in VICTORIA-STREET. THE Inhabitants of MERTHYR and its Vicinity are respectfully informed, that the Celebrated Aeronaut, Mr. R. GYPSON, (from VauxHall Gardens, London), will on MONDAY next, SEPTEMBER 6th, 1847, for the first and only time, submit for inspection his Curious Monster Aerial Machine, and will make his 180th Ascent at Five o'clock in the Evening of the same Day, in his new and splendid Balloon, "The Royal Albert," in which he had the honor to ascend in the presence of Her Majesty and his Royal Highness Prince Albert, Duke of Wellington, Sir Robert Peel, Lord John Russell, &c., at his Royal Highness's Installation.
Some idea of the magnitude of this stupendous machine may be formed by the fact of its taking upwards of 700 Square Yards of Silk to construct it, and the Net-work of the same contains more than 40,000 Feet of fine flexible Cord. The Balloon will be inflated by the Merthyr Gas Light Company, under the direction of the Manager for the Company, who will lay on large Main Pipes for the purpose, as it will take 30,000 Feet of Gas to Inflate it. For the gratification of Parties desirous to witness the process of Inflation, and of closely inspecting the Aerial Monster, the curiously-constructed Car, and its various Appendages, the doors will be opened at Two o'clock, when the Proprietor will be in attendance, superintending the Inflation, &c. Every arrangement will be made for the accommodation of all Parties attending.
There will be seats in the Car for Four Persons-for Terms, &c. apply to Mr. H. W. White, Printer, Merthyr. There will be room on the ground for a very few Private Carriages, early application for which must be made to Mr. H. W. White, as no places for Carriages can be taken on the Day of Ascent. Admission to the Field to witness the Inflation and Ascent, Is. each Children under 12 years of age, half- price. Tickets to be had of Mr. H. W. White, Printer."
The Monmouthshire Merlin of September 11th 1847 printed an article on the event:
"The promised ascent of Mr. Gypson, in his Royal Albert balloon, drew a vast concourse of people to this place on Monday last. The inflation commenced about nine in the morning, and towards the time specified for its ascent, the field in which it was enclosed shewed a respectable array of ladies and gentlemen whilst house tops, chimney tops, the overlooking tips, and the hills on each side, were black with an anxious looking people, to see the first visitor ever in Merthyr to the celestial regions. It wys somewhat amusing to hear the various opinions enunciated as to his ascent. Some were very positive it was a hoax — others, that he would just ascend the ropes length and then come down — others were wisely speculating upon his course.
About half-past six, every thing being in readiness, the word was given to let go and the huge creature, too handsome for a monster, shot up in splendid style, with only Mr. Gypson in the car, who, on leaving terra firma, was loudly cheered, aud after a discharge ot ballast, was seen moving in a South-easterly direction. He alighted without the least risk, below a place called Quaker's Yard, about eight miles distant. The weather was highly favourable, and several persons from the summit of the hill commanded a view of it nearly the whole distance.
It was calculated there were from 800 to 1000 persons present; and it reflects the highest credit on the tradesmen of the place, that with hardly an exception, they shut their places of business from about five o'clock to the time of the ascent. Mr. Gypson returned the same night, and we understand has given considerable satisfaction. It should be stated that fears were at one time entertained, owing to a large fissure, which allowed so considerable a quantity of gas to escape that it would not ascend but it is admitted that the ascent was managed, very skilfully. In conclusion we would say, that had admission been so low as sixpence, there would have been five times the number to witnesss it, as there were people from the adjoining towns of Rhymney, Tredegar, Aberdare, and Hirwain present."
The Cardiff and Merthyr Guardian of the same day published a much fuller account:
"On Monday evening the scene was such as but few pens can describe; and we shall not attempt to do more than one or two of the leading features. As soon as the balloon had got out of sight, the crowds who had been straining their eyes after Mr. Gypson, turned their steps towards Market-square which at eight o'clock was so densely crowded that it required a strong arm and a firm purpose to get through. You might as well bark at the moon, knock your head against a wall, or imitate father Canute and bid the sea retire no one had leisure to attend, and all were intently listening to the music winch was pouring in upon the group from all points of the compass. Ding dong. ding dong, rat, tat, tat, ding dong, dingdong, clowns screaming, polite invitations to enter at "Macarthy's Theatre," Mrs. Lowe's," come and see The Fat Boy," walk in to see Johny Broom's waiter," have a spar with "Kenrick the Black," and visit Steward from Astley's," saluted tin ear from all quarters. Some dancing, some giggling, some beating big drums and blowing huge trumpets, and everybody talking at the same time, contributed to the formation of a scene such as we have never before witnessed. It was the next approaeh to the picture of the stygian regions described by the Latin poet; and thinking so we made our stay as short as possible.
THIS BALLOON. The expected ascent of the balloon formed the chief subject of attraction oil Monday evening. According to a promise given by some of the leading tradesmen to Mr. Gypson, the major part of the shops were closed at or near four p.m., when it was an amusing sight to see shopkeepers waiting for some one more in- dependent than the rest to set the example. Soon as one shop was shut, the hot impatience pent up in young shopmen, found vent, — and to use a colloquialism, the establishments were closed in loss than no time During the evening, and particularly at five o'clock, there was bustling in hot haste towards the scene of action and at the appointed hour, a great number of persons had made their appearance on the post-office field.
Having arrived, we found a low and confidential whisper spreading about that the balloon was leaking, and that it was not likely to go off. On hearing this, We took a walk round the field, and saw a very respectable assemblage. The number in the field were variously estimated at 800 and 1000; but the number of those who had outside tickets was immense. On the housetops there were many watchmen, some of whom found a pleasing and varied occupation in alternately blowing clouds of tobacco smoke, and squinting at the balloon. Garret windows were in request; some were perched up in observatories, and pretty faces found in ricketty skylights of but indifferent framing; but the vast masses of the spectators were to be seen cresting Aberdare mountain, variegating the upland fields of Cafridwm and Pwllywhiaid, and ornamenting the heights of Twynyrodin. They formed a pleasing sight, and put one in mind of the time of the riots and had they but 'whittles cochion' would have afforded a tolerable idea of the army of old women wiih which Lard Cawdor awed General Tate and his Frenchmen into submission at Fishguard.
At about seven o'clock, the balloon shot straight upward, bearing Mr. Gypson alone. It went down the valley, continued in sight fifteen minutes and a half, and came down near Cefn Forest. The intrepid aeronaut was back in Merthyr at ten o'clock the same evening. The sight gave much satisfaction; and though the delay incident upon the leakage gave rise to some murmurs, yet is much credit generally accorded to Mr. Gypson for the spirit which prompted him to favour Merthyr spectators with the first peep in their lives at an aerial machine. Many saw on Monday last an object described by the bard of Nantglyn— "Awyreu belen glud bali—drvvy chwa Dereh hynt hyi wybreui, Nwyv wib long, ban nawv heb hi, A Haw dyn yn llyw dani"— And must have seen the description to be very graphic.
[Another correspondent gives us a most unfavourable report of the ascent, and says that it created feelings of great dissatisfaction. Others say the failure (for failure to some extent there was) was the result of accident, which could not have been guarded against. Admirable order was presented by the police under the command of their intelligent and indefatigable superintendent. We have heard that Mr. G. will probably make a second ascent from Merthyr, upon which occasion matters will be so arranged that larger gas-pipea will be used in the process of inflation.—ED.]
