Joseph W. Simmons, Joseph Simmons,

• http://www.historyhouse.co.uk/articles/balloonist.html
• http://www.xtusa.com/link_pages/kitesballoonsanddaredevils.html
  • "Joseph Simmons: 1876 - Is lifted 600' into the air using two kites with a system of guy lines that he used to glide himself back to land."   Quote source is above-line shown.
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SIMMONS, Joseph W. ENGLAND (1840?1888) K (GB)
d: 27 Aug.1888, Witham (Ulting). 
p: Balloonist 1858-88 era; Protege of A.PULLMAN; Known for his courage, skill, and narrow escapes. 
f: First B-Flight 29 Sep.1858 from Bolton w/Claude de CRESPENY; First Solo flight 1862 from Bolton; Made 495-500 flights in his lifetime. 
l: Crossed the English Channel 5 times (rescued twice from N.Sea) (crossed in 12 minutes on his first attempt, June 1882); Crossed Irish Sea in Jun.1882 (w/CRESPENY) from Maldon to Arras; Dropped GROFF on his fateful Glider attempt 9 July 1874; Flew in Egypt, France (1883), India, & USA. ***Epic flight 11 Sep.1874 from Woolrich in a hot-air balloon. Balloon was 80' in diameter, and similar to present day design. It was made of a light/tight weave of cambric fabric, and a burner that vaporized "petroleum oil." Balloon was built by M.MENIER. ***Epic flight 27 Aug.1888 (w/ Myers & Field) from the Flower Show Grounds at Olympia in "Cosmo." Cross Channel flight attempt, ended after 1.5 hours, in a high-wind landing. Grapnel caught suddenly in the trees, and the balloon burst at 50'. The all-metal gondola, built for strength (but no resiliency), was thrown to the ground. The aeronauts suffered serious injuries, and the pilot died of a fractured skull. 
r: LT-28 Aug.1888. 
r: NT-24 Sep.1874/4/7; LT-28 Aug.1888.