All their attempts were useless.

The case of the balloon collapsed more and more.

The gas escaped without any possibility of retaining it.

Their descent was visibly accelerated, and soon after midday the car hung within 600 feet of the ocean.
It was impossible to prevent the escape of gas, which rushed through a large rent in the silk.

By lightening the car of all the articles which it contained, the passengers had been able to prolong their suspension in the air for a few hours.