Washington Harrison Donaldson

Washington Harrison Donaldson (1840 in Philadelphia – 15 July 1875 in Lake Michigan) was a 19th-century balloonist who worked in the United States. He was known as much for his failures as his successes.

His early life was spent upon the stage as a gymnast, ventriloquist, and magician. He was a graceful tight rope performer. In 1862 he walked across the Schuylkill River on a rope 1,200 feet (370 m) long, returning to the middle and finishing by jumping into the river from a height of 90 feet (27 m). He also walked across the Genesee River at Rochester, New York on a rope 1,800 feet (550 m) long, recrossing it with a man in a wheelbarrow trundled in front of him. From 1857 until 1871 he travelled through the United States, appearing not fewer than 1,300 times in his various specialties.

Bartering instruction in magic and all the paraphernalia of his exhibitions, Donaldson found himself the owner of a balloon. Without the slightest previous knowledge of balloon management, he made arrangements for an ascension, taking his first lesson in a failure, which happened for want of lighter gas or a larger balloon, the latter being too small to carry him except with pure hydrogen. The balloon was enlarged and tried again with coal gas, as in his previous attempt. This time, 30 August 1871, it succeeded in getting off after Donaldson had thrown away every available thing, even his coat, boots, and hat. This ascent was made from Reading, Pennsylvania, and the descent 18 miles (29 km) distant. He made another ascent from Reading in September upon a trapeze bar..

On 18 January 1872, he ascended from Norfolk, Virginia, and his balloon accidentally burst when a mile from the ground. He said of it:

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