| Browse this collection | This entry describes an individual archive record or file. Click here to browse the full catalogue for this collection |
| Archive Reference / Library Class No. | D5459/1/28/2 |
| Former Reference | D5459/3/29 |
| Title | The Descent in the Balloon |
| Date | Jul 1784 |
| Description | A balloon with two passengers seated in a boat-like basket with flags at either end, makes its descent, much to the fright of cottagers below. Two children look out of the doorway of the cottage on the left, a man and woman kneel in terror and a man in a smock holding a pitchfork looks up at the sky. Available on CD 157. |
| Level | Item |
| Repository | Derbyshire Record Office |
| Artist | Woodward, George Murgatroyd (?1765-1809) |
| Archive Creator | George Murgatroyd Woodward (1765-1809), artist and writer |
| Further Information | G M Woodward : July 1784
It is unclear which flight this refers to. In July 1784 no manned balloon flight had yet taken place in Britain, although it was the month in which Lunardi announced his first manned flight, which took place on 15 Sep 1784. He had originally planned to fly with his friend and patron George Biggin and this picture may be an imaginative representation of that planned flight. The balloon was a hydrogen balloon, as depicted in the drawing but Lunardi actually travelled in a rectangular basket, not the boat shown in the drawing.
The first flight across the Channel (which this drawing may depict) did not take place until 7 Jan 1785, and was made by Blanchard and Jeffries. The balloon shown does resemble that flown by Blanchard and Jeffries. They flew in a gondola, which is frequently shown flying at least one flag. As they flew from Britain across the Channel it would be logical for them to fly the red ensign. |
| Physical Description | Coloured drawing. Size 357 x 205 mm. Portrait. |
| Copies | A digital copy can also be viewed on the public computers at the record office. |
| Publication Note | Rolt, 1966. |
| Image | 
|