1780s Gallery

Balloon ascent from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris

Balloon ascent of Charles and Robert from the Tuileries Gardens, Paris, the first voyage made in a hydrogen balloon. After sending off a trial hydrogen balloon, Charles designed, and the brothers Robert built, a full-size man-carrier, the fabric of which was made imporous by the Roberts method of rubberising the cloth. This was the first modern type balloon.
1 December 1783

© The Royal Aeronautical Society (National Aerospace Library)/Mary Evans

Sea fight with the Mahrattas (Maratha sailors), who captured the East India Company ship

Sea fight with the Mahrattas (Maratha sailors), who captured the East India Company ship Ranger on 5 (or 8) April 1783, an action which went against the Treaty of Salbai which had ended the First Anglo-Maratha War (1775-1782). The ship was under the command of Lieutenant-Commander Pruen, sailing from Bombay to take high-ranking military officers to the British Army. The Mahratta fleet was commanded by the Peshwa Navy's Admiral, Aninid Rao Dhoolup (Anandrao Dhulap), who seemed to be unaware of the Salbai peace treaty. Date: 1783

© Mary Evans Picture Library

Flight of Hyder Ali, ruler of Mysore in Southern India, after the Battle of Porto Novo

Flight of Hyder Ali, ruler of Mysore in Southern India, after the Battle of Porto Novo (now Parangipettai), between the British East India Company and the Sultanate of Mysore, 1 July 1781, during the Second Anglo-Mysore War (1780-1784). Date: 1781

© Mary Evans Picture Library

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