Chapter XXXVII

OBSERVATIONS, HINTS, and CONJECTURES, on the SUBJECT of the BALLOON and EXCURSION

FROM CHESTER THE EIGHTH OF SEPT. 1785.

OF THE WEATHER, IN THE VICINITY OF CHESTER, ABOUT THE TIME OF THE EXCURSION.

Section 211. FOR more than ten Days before the Balloon-Voyage, the Wind had blown (interruptedly on Account of the Sea-Breeze) from South and South by West.

Monday the 5th of September:

A Conjunction of the Planet Mercury and the Moon, at one in the Afternoon.

Tuesday the 6th:

A violent Hurricane in the South of England, at London, Portsmouth, &c.

The same Day at Chester North-North-West, and distant from London 182 Miles; South-Breeze; Rain most of the Day. Thermometer at Noon in the Shade, 62: and 14 Divisions colder each Night, than the following Day, at an Average of five Years. Barometer, below Much Rain, viz. at 28 Inches 9⁄10ths.

Wednesday the 7th:

Violent Squalls from South and South-West, with hazy Air, till half past IV in the Afternoon. Thermom. 58; Barom. Changeable, viz. 29​1⁄2.

Thursday the 8th, which was the Day of the Excursion:

Much bright Sun. (On Enquiry) calm below till half past III in the Afternoon, then West Sea-Breeze: South-West Breeze above till half past IV. Calm bright Evening.

Also the upper Stratum of Clouds thin and white, in quick Motion, when seen from below till Noon: at which Time the Sky was almost cloudless: and, from above the upper Stratum, were seen, interspersed, Multitudes of detached Thunder-Clouds in large Masses, rising at Intervals, in the Middle of the upper Surfaces of white Clouds, and stretching above them.

Friday and Saturday moderate: South and South-West Breeze.

Sunday the 11th. The Planet Mercury stationary.

Cloudy Morn. South-West Breeze. Thermom. at 60 at Noon. Barom. above, Changeable, viz. at 29​1⁄2. Much thunder and Rain in the Afternoon.

212. Quere, Had the Thunder-Clouds on Thursday, tho’ not remarked by any from below, yet visible to a great Extent from the Balloon above them,—any Connexion with the Thunder that happened three Days after?

Weather, to be prognosticated, by Sight, from the Balloon

Answer: It appears to the Observer, that the Thunder was gradually collecting in the Air from Thursday till Sunday: and if so; will not Balloons, when more frequent, prognosticate the Weather, by Sight, better than any other known Methods?