Credit: ©The Royal Society
    Image number: RS.11420

    The Royal Nassau Balloon

    Date
    c1850
    Creator
    Thomas Jones (British) , Engraver
    Object type
    Library reference
    Tracts_678_2_1
    Material
    Technique
    Dimensions
    height (print): 126mm
    width (print): 208mm
    Subject
    Content object
    transport
       > balloon
    Description
    Scene showing the end of the sixteenth ascent of the Royal Nassau balloon. The flight commenced from Vauxhall Gardens, London and ended with the balloon ditching in the River Thames two miles north of Sheerness. Green managed to anchor the craft by a wreck buoy and the crew were then assisted by a boat from a nearby barge. The illustration shows that moment: passenger George Rush of Elsenham Hall, Essex is seen at the balloon hoop; Charles Green is with two boatmen aboard the rescue craft.

    From the pamphlet An account of ascents in the Nassau and Victoria balloons, in the years 1838, 1849, & 1850, by George Rush (London, W.H Jones and Thomas Jones, 1851).

    The print is inscribed above: ‘DESCENT OF THE ROYAL NASSAU BALLOON IN THE RIVER THAMES, NEAR THE SWASH WAY, JUNE 29 1850.’; inscribed below right: ‘Thos. Jones sc.’

    Charles Green (1785-1870), British balloonist held distance records for balloon flights and is credited with the invention of the trail rope.
    Associated place
    <The World>
       > Europe
          > United Kingdom
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