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The First Channel Crossing by Air: 1785

The First Channel Crossing by Air: 1785
The First Channel Crossing by Air: 1785
The First Channel Crossing by Air: 1785

THIS FAMOUS aerial event started with the makings of an international incident, and nearly ended in tragedy for the two aeronauts—the French pilot Jean-Pierre Blanchard and his sponsor, the ex-patriate American physician John Jeffries.

Blanchard, balloon showman par excellence, arrived at the take-off point on the cliffs beside Dover Castle—with a lead-lined belt concealed under his waistcoat, since he was determined to have the honour of making this famous "first" for himself alone. However, the ruse was detected, and there was a first-class row, composed only when the Governor of Dover Castle appeared in person; and the perilous trip commenced. The date was January 7th, 1785.

The balloon set off with an alarming amount of secondary ballast in addition to the bags of sand—including flags, anchors, cork lifejackets, a packet of pamphlets, a bottle of brandy, biscuits, apples, two useless aerial oars, an equally useless rudder, and the first aircraft propeller in history—Blanchard's little "moulinet''. Trouble developed all too soon, and the balloon was either leaky or badly piloted. After going into steep up-and-down runs, the ballast was all gone, and everything else except the life-jackets were tossed over-hoard, including the "moulinet''. Then their coats were committed to the Channel, and finally, in a panic, off came Blanchard's breeches a strange crop of jetsam for the fishes. However, the balloon at last cleared the French coast, and deposited its two shivering occupants on to the tree-tops of the forest of GuInes, some twelve miles from Calais, in a safe but highly uncomfortable "atterrissage''.

C. H. GIBBS-SMITH

One of 12 prints from the collections of the Royal Aeronautical Society reproduced by the Society to mark its Centenary in 1966—NO. 1

Original size 38.5cm by 35.5cm

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