Illustration and text by kind permission of Bethany Whitehead (2013).
I found the amusing cartoon above when scouring the web for pictures of Puffing Billy that could be of interest for the Puffing Billy Festival. It was drawn by Bethany Whitehead as her entry in 2013 for the Macmillan Prize for Children’s Book Illustration, entitled The Grand Adventure of Professor Meriwether and his ship Spiritus and she has very kindly allowed me to use it here. Her work is showcased on Tumblr as Bethany Bluebell Illustration and is well worth a look.
I also realised that it would make the ideal illustration for an historical local event that took place on 8th September 1831 during celebrations in Newcastle for the coronation of King William IV who died without legitimate children in 1837 and was succeeded by his niece, Queen Victoria.
The account is given in the publication with the snappy title: Local records; or, Historical register of remarkable events: which have occurred in Northumberland and Durham, Newcastle upon Tyne, and Berwick upon Tweed, from the earliest period of authentic record, to the present time; with biographical notices of deceased persons of talent, eccentricity, and longevity, Volume 2 by J. Sykes and published in 1833 at Berwick-upon-Tweed.
You can read it here.
You can read it here.
According to previous announcement, Mr. Green, the aeronaut, ascended in his magnificent balloon from the Spital Field, amidst a great concourse of spectators. He was accompanied by Major Callender, and it was his 96th ascent.
The day was not the most favourable, being very heavy and inclined to wet. The balloon, however, rose from the earth in grand style, taking a direction nearly west, with an almost imperceptible motion. After remaining a considerable time in view, the balloon sunk behind a cloud, but it appeared again just like a speck, then disappeared, and was not again visible.
After remaining about half an hour in the air, it descended upon the fine lawn in front of Close House, about eight miles from Newcastle, the seat of Mrs. Bewicke, to whose kind hospitality the aeronauts were much indebted for her liberal supply of every sort of refreshment.
It is worthy of remark, as a singular coincidence that this lady was returning home, after an absence of four months at her seat in the county of Durham, whilst the balloon was sailing over her head in the same direction, and just as her carriage drove up to her door the aerial travellers alighted upon the lawn in front of it.
The balloon was packed up upon the spot and carried upon a gate by a party of men to the village of Heddon on the Wall, from whence it was conveyed in a cart back to Newcastle; Mr. Green and Major Callender accompanied it on foot, and having, on their arrival, repaired by invitation to the Mansion House, they met with a very hearty and enthusiastic reception from the Mayor and the very large party who were assembled to celebrate their majesties’ coronation. The excellent arrangements of Mr. Green gave very general satisfaction. Mr. Green ascended again from Newcastle on the 12th and the 19th of September.
OK, there's no mention of Puffing Billy in the account of the balloon flight, but the waggonway ran just below Close House mansion and was used by both of the two early steam locomotives, Puffing Billy and Wylam Dilly, from 1814 to the1860s, pulling coal waggons from Wylam Colliery to Lemington.
So who knows what went on? Perhaps Bethany has it right. Many thanks again for permission to use the illustration.
So who knows what went on? Perhaps Bethany has it right. Many thanks again for permission to use the illustration.
I am not sure if the Mr Green referred to in the account was Charles Green or his son, George.
Charles Green (31 January 1785 – 26 March 1870) was the United Kingdom's most famous balloonist of the 19th century. He experimented with coal gas as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to hydrogen for lifting power. His first ascent was in a coal gas balloon on 19 July 1821. He became a professional balloonist and had made 200 ascents by 1835. In 1836, he set a major long distance record in the balloon 'Royal Vauxhall', flying overnight from Vauxhall Gardens in London to Weilburg, Duchy of Nassau (Germany) a distance of 480 miles (770 km): this record was not broken until 1907. By the time he retired in 1852, he had flown in a balloon more than 500 times.
He led a dangerous and exciting life.
In 1825, Charles Green and his son, George, had already made four ascents from Newcastle. The Mr Green in our story was to fly again twice more in September 1831, taking off close to Manors Gas Works. On the second occasion he had a female companion. Accounts can be read in the same book.
Charles Green (31 January 1785 – 26 March 1870) was the United Kingdom's most famous balloonist of the 19th century. He experimented with coal gas as a cheaper and more readily available alternative to hydrogen for lifting power. His first ascent was in a coal gas balloon on 19 July 1821. He became a professional balloonist and had made 200 ascents by 1835. In 1836, he set a major long distance record in the balloon 'Royal Vauxhall', flying overnight from Vauxhall Gardens in London to Weilburg, Duchy of Nassau (Germany) a distance of 480 miles (770 km): this record was not broken until 1907. By the time he retired in 1852, he had flown in a balloon more than 500 times.
He led a dangerous and exciting life.
In 1825, Charles Green and his son, George, had already made four ascents from Newcastle. The Mr Green in our story was to fly again twice more in September 1831, taking off close to Manors Gas Works. On the second occasion he had a female companion. Accounts can be read in the same book.
Charles Green's balloon at Weilburg, Germany, 1836.
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