Part 7 Who is who (& What is that) in the Victorian Balloon and Parachute era I am exploring... a Work in progress

 Who is Who ?

Reuben Davison Orton  -"Captain Orton"

 Balloonist/Aeronaut  Designer and maker of Balloons of very distinctive designs

Aeronaut to Ashton Esq


Alfred Joseph Henry Orton  -"Captain Orton" 

Balloonist/Aeronaut ,son of Rueben Davison Orton. Designer and maker of Parachutes 

Famous for Balloon ascents and Parachute descents. Retired after the 1895 tragedy.

 

Ann Amelia Chapman- Mrs William Henry Bassett -"Mademoiselle Adelaide Bassett"  

Parachutist - Pupil and Parachutist partner of Captain Alfred  Orton.

Died whilst Parachuting from a Balloon with Captain Alfred Orton in 1895


 What is What ?

Smoke Ballooning ..a term referring to filling a balloon with hot smoky air from burning straw

It appears in secondary references to the the Orton's and Ms Bassett but I have found no evidence to support any claim of them being involved in this method. The Orton's used Gas from local Gas works piped to their balloons.



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