Charles Brown Balloonist

[Jinty]

Have become interested in Charles Brown because of a flight he made from Beverley, and have been able to trace his ballooning career from his 1824 balloon to c.1839 - but can find nothing about his earlier or later life - can anyone help please? 

Also there is a younger Charles Henry Brown, also Balloonist from West Yorkshire who went out to Australia and did flights there - was he a relation of Charles Brown, or is it just coincidence? Any extra information would be much appreciated. Thank you

[Ponytail]

Sorry I can't offer any help with Charles Brown, balloonist but thought this might be of interest to you as it is of the same period he was active. Gives an insight into the procedure some balloonist went to to alert the public. 

Advertisement from Wednesday 17th September 1823.

Mr Sadler begs leave once again to inform the public, that nothing opposing, he purposes, at the hour of two, to-morrow afternoon, to ascend his balloon, from Burgin's Garden ...

 

https://www.picturesheffield.com/frontend.php?keywords=Ref_No_increment;EQUALS;arc01484&pos=23&action=zoom&id=67443

 

[SteveHB]

1 hour ago, Jinty said:

Have become interested in Charles Brown because of a flight he made from Beverley, and have been able to trace his ballooning career from his 1824 balloon to c.1839 - but can find nothing about his earlier or later life - can anyone help please? 

Also there is a younger Charles Henry Brown, also Balloonist from West Yorkshire who went out to Australia and did flights there - was he a relation of Charles Brown, or is it just coincidence? Any extra information would be much appreciated. Thank you

Roger Brown (manufacturer), was related to Sheffield balloonist Charles Brown

 

[Edmund]

I think this is a summary of Charles' life, though not guaranteed 100% accurate.  I will summarise his flying activities in a separate post.

Charles Brown was born about 1788, the son of Roger (a slater) and Sarah (nee Hibbard) who had married at Rotherham on 26th May 1788. The family trade was slater and builder and Roger's sons went into partnership as "Samuel, James and Charles Brown" and Samuel Brown and Brothers". The partnership was dissolved in March 1826 to allow Charles to operate on his own account. The Brown family were based around the Division street area. The youngest son, Roger (junior) was born on 11th November 1803.  Charles married Agnes Heathcoat in Rotherham in 1816, and they had children Charles (born 24th September 1821), Eliza (born 18th March 1824), William Winward (born 10th March 1926), Frederick (born 13th July 1830) Samuel (born 9th June 1832), Sarah (born 1838), John (born 4th November 1817 - John was a druggist of Pinstone street whose new business became bankrupt in 1840 and father Charles was unsuccessfully prosecuted for disposing of some goods which should have gone to creditors). Charles was based at 74 West street in 1833 and Charlotte street in 1839. By 1841 Charles had become a steel refiner at Charlotte street, and in 1851 they were at 12 Bailey Lane, Charles now a saw manufacturer. In 1861 Charles and Agnes were at 24 Bailey Lane, Charles a saw and steel manufacturer employing 3 men and 2 boys. Charles died at his son-in-law's house in York on 23rd May 1869. Agnes died on 10th August 1871 at Winter street.

[Edmund]

Charles Brown's ballooning career:

Brown's first balloon was exhibited from 17th July 1824 in a specially constructed building in a yard in Carver street, lately occupied by Wm. Hodgson and Co. Admission was 2 shillings for Ladies and Gentlemen, a shilling for working people and 1s 6d for families of over four people, but by the 23rd July had reduced to 1 shilling for the gentry and 6d for workers. This balloon was 35 feet in diameter, formed from tapering pieces of silk, 33 inches wide, over sixty feet long and in alternating colours of crimson and white. The car was beautifully ornamented and lined with crimson silk with a festooned canopy.

Brown's first ascent had been in Sadler's balloon at Derby (William Wyndham Sadler was killed in October 1824 when his balloon hit a Bolton chimney, and his head hit the brickwork). Brown's second aerial voyage was made on Tuesday 10th August 1824 from James Hibberson's garden in Sycamore street. This first ascent in his own balloon was planned to include Brown's brother, but the balloon would not support two passengers. The Sheffield Gas Company provided him with 10,500 cubic feet of gas. The intention was to charge spectators to defray his costs, but attendance was low, as Park Hill provided free viewing for the crowds. Brown had never piloted a balloon previously, but successfully ascended and was in the clouds within ten minutes.  Brown initially had to throw out two of his three bags of ballast (8 pounds each) and he eventually reached an altitude of over a mile (2,166 yards). After going through a brief snow storm, he passed Tickhill, and shouted to the people below using his hailing trumpet, though they didn't hear. He began rapidly descending and wanting to retain his last bag of ballast, removed his boots to throw out, however the balloon recovered before this was needed. He continued as far as Mr Pearson's rye field at Axholme. Several gentlemen who had followed him from Tickhill assisted recovery of the balloon together with local 'peasants'. In Bawtry a chaise was arranged and the party arrived in Sheffield (at the Twelve O' Clock Public House) at quarter to two a.m.

His third flight was from Barnsley, with his balloon now named "Herschell", and was planned for 2 p.m. on 6th September 1824 from a piece of ground next to the Gas Works. Tickets at the Gas House Gates were 2s 6d or for admission to Mr Horsfall's timber yard in May Day Green tickets were 1 shilling. Due to the weather, the ascent was postponed to the next day (Tuesday). On this voyage he attained 3,190 yards, landing 2 miles from Ferrybridge at Sir John Ramsey's Park.

His fourth ascent was from Wakefield at their Musical Festival.

Brown's next flight was on Wednesday 10th August 1825 from Wright & Haslehurst's new cricket ground at the Top of the Park, Sheffield. For this flight he gave the added attraction of a crimson and white parachute being released with an animal attached, though this didn't happen due to storms. After a wait for a thunderstorm to disperse, and difficulties filling the balloon, it struggled to reach 600 feet as it was wet and heavy, and pedestrians pursued the balloon through the streets of Sheffield. People on the roof of the music hall in Charles street could hear Brown calling for people to follow him and give assistance. At about 5 p.m. the balloon cleared the town centre at 3-400 feet and was headed towards Heeley, landing at Brincliffe Edge.

Wednesday 31st August 1825 at Hull was his next outing. On May 26th 1826 Brown took off from Beverley, landing at Thorne, however the wind was so strong, and with no assistance on landing, he had to let the balloon go - he advertised a reward for its return. "Herschell" was found at Swithamly Hall near Leek, the seat of Trafford Trafford Esq. whose wife saw it suspended over trees as the grappling hook had snagged a wall - the wall collapsed and the balloon ascended but the hook caught on a very tall tree, and with the help of 30 men it was secured and returned by post-chaise to Brown in Sheffield.

Browns next ascent, with an improved "Herschell" was on Whit Monday 4th June 1827 from the Hyde Park Cricket Ground again. When Brown arrived at 3p.m., he was upset that his assistants had allowed the balloon to be damaged by gusts of wind. The ascent was reluctantly abandoned, until 11th June. For this ascent Charles was accompanied by his brother Roger.

The next ascent was on 30th August 1827, from the piece of ground behind the Balloon Tavern in Sycamore street.

On 6th September 1827 he travelled 10 miles setting off from Pontefract.

On 6th October 1827 the venue was Wood street, Wakefield, opposite the Woodman Inn. Unfortunately Charles Brown was ill, so his younger brother Roger was to pilot the balloon. After delays, the balloon took off at about 5p.m. and disappeared into the clouds. But suddenly it re-appeared, making a rapid and apparently uncontrolled descent. The frantic voice of the aeronaut could be heard, and the balloon appeared to have collapsed. Due to his inexperience, when the balloon was buffeted by violent winds in the upper reaches, Roger pulled the wrong rope which allowed most of the gas to escape via the safety valve. He landed two miles away near the village of Flanshaw, and thousands of spectators ran in that direction, finding him with a broken foot and a head injury. A gig was found to take him to a local surgeon, and he suffered no permanent ill-effects.

The Browns seem to have had a break for a few years, but in July 1838 Charles announced plans to make two ascents in his new balloon, the "Great North Star", constructed solely by Brown, from the Botanical Gardens on Thursday 2nd and Monday 6th August 1838. The Thurday event was cancelled due to the weather, and no gas being available the following day. On the Monday, Brown was accompanied by Mr Spring of the Masbro' Brewery. The balloon almost hit the top of the lodge's stone gateway, avoided by Brown putting his hands on the stonework, and Spring throwing out ballast. They passed over Doncaster, landing near Wadworth, then were escorted with music, in a cart to Tickhill, thence to Sheffield.

A further ascent from the Botanical Gardens was planned for Monday 13th August 1838, it being a Royal Holiday (Queen Adelaide's birthday).  A crowd of about 10,000 assembled. However there was insufficient gas due to water in the pipes and the ascent was deferred til the next day. On the Tuesday there was still insufficient gas to be able to lift Brown, so at 7 p.m. to avoid the risk of violence by the crowd, the balloon was sent aloft unmanned. It landed almost undamaged at Hackenthorpe.

On 24th August 1838, Brown and the balloon were at Newcastle-on-Tyne, and he had two companions in the car with him.

On Tuesday 11th September 1838 Brown made his thirteenth ascent with the "Great North Star" at Glasgow. Being short of ballast due to lack of buoyancy of the gas, the balloon was whirled about, smashing a window and breaking a chimney.

On 25th September 1838, a launch from the Park cricket ground was planned. At noon the balloon was filled with 50,000 cubic feet of gas at the Gas Works near Sheaf-bridge, and was able to carry three passengers over the retort house. However by 4p.m. despite the addition of locally generated hydrogen it was unable to lift a single man.  Damage to the envelope allowing release of the gas was stated as the cause.

On 5th October 1838 a private flight was made from the Gas Works yard. Brown's brother Roger and another gentleman were on board. The gas was unsatisfactory and the balloon came down near Clough House, where one passenger alighted and the balloon managed to get as far as the Chesterfield Road, 3 miles from town.

On 9th October 1838 a flight from the Piece Hall at Halifax was planned but due to poor availability of gas it could not carry a pilot and was let loose unmanned, arriving at Barnsley slightly damaged.

A flight of the "North Star" was planned for 7th September 1839 from Hyde Park Cricket Ground but postponed due to water in the gas. Crowds of lawless people had got over the walls and fraudulently claimed refunds, threatening violence when challenged. Their threats to tear the balloon to pieces was carried out and Brown lost considerable money.

Brown announced that his new balloon "Britannia" would be launched from the lawn by the side of the bear pit in the Botanical Gardens on 19th September 1843 - his 41st trip. The rate of fill didn't allow a launch. The next launch was from the yard of G.O. Brown & Co near the New Gas Works, but low numbers paid admittance, most watching from the Hyde Park hill. However Brown did make it as far as Lincoln. After this he did little flying, but kept up an interest, and accompanied his son to Newhall Gardens, where the son Charles flew.

In January 1856 Charles Brown was an expert witness in the County Court case of Gypson v. Turner.  He knew both parties. The plaintiff was Richard Gypson, formerly of London but currently of Pyebank, Sheffield, who wanted to recover £20 8s 6d from Edwin Turner, a Wicker butcher, the balance of account for "instruction in the theoretical, experimental and practical science of aerostation". Gypson was an aeronaut of 25 years experience, and was engaged in 1854 for an ascent from Newhall Gardens. Turner was keen to accompany him, but the gas in use was of poor quality and would not support two people, so he was disappointed. However he was so keen to make an ascent, that he told Gypson he would even go to the expense of having a balloon of his own. Terms were agreed to build a balloon in Sheffield, together with a series of model balloons to assist instruction, and the following June Gypson came to Sheffield and stayed with Turner for seven weeks. During this time Turner cut off the gas pipe to his sitting room so that he could inflate balloons. Finally Gypson arranged a flight from Newhall for Turner, the balloon being filled at Saville street gas main, but Turner was so excited for his journey that he got into the car and was conveyed out of control towards Newhall. Due to the high wind the balloon hit a tree and a large hole was made, so the balloon fell - however Gypson's instruction paid off and Turner conducted himself safely. Still enthusiastic Turner and Gypson arranged to borrow the balloon of Mr Simpson, Cremorne Gardens, for two ascents. This balloon ascended to two and a quarter miles and landed near Worksop, but due to the crowds sustained some damage. As the second ascent from Barnsley had already been advertised, Gypson was instructed to repair the balloon which he did in Mr Shortridge's room at Barker Pool. Gypson travelled to Barnsley to make arrangements, but Turner, possibly frightened by his experiences, declined to make the Barnsley ascent. Gypson tried to obtain his charge of £5 from Turner without success, hence the court case. The newspaper account of the trial is quite entertaining and can be read here:  

  Independent 26th January 1856

 some further detail of mishaps here: Early flying accidents

[Ponytail]

Probably the extended family of Charles Brown, thought it was worth a look at the entries in the Directories & Flood Claim etc. 

Link to:

Samuel Brown & Sons, slater. Wicker Slate Yard. 

Includes:  Brown S. C. & J, builders & slaters, 1 Division Street in the record

Samuel Brown recorded in Division Street and also has a Roger Brown in the record. 

 

https://www.sheffieldhistory.co.uk/forums/topic/19535-samuel-brown-sons-wicker-slate-yard-wicker/#elControls_162878_menu 

 

[Jinty]

Very very many thanks for such detailed and helpful information. Regarding his flights, on 24 August 1838, he made an ascent from Newcastle, reported in Newcastle Courant 25/8/38.

’Balloon Ascent - Mr. Brown, the aeronaut, of Sheffield, made an ascent yesterday afternoon from the enclosure in Green Court, in his splendid balloon,”The North Star”, the largest in England. The gas was supplied from Clayton-street and Newgate-street, communicating pipes. The process of inflation was completed soon after three o’clock, and little before four the car was attached, and the immense machine loosened from the cords which restricted its aerial flight. The balloon cleared the houses beautifully on rising, and then proceeded in a south easterly direction, in full view of thousands of spectators who watched its progress with intense interest.’