Louis Capazza and Alphonse Fondère cross the Mediterranean by balloon from Marseilles to Corsica (1899)

Louis Capazza and Alphonse Fondère crossed the Mediterranean Sea by balloon on November 14, 1899, in the balloon Gabizos. The flight departed from Marseilles and arrived in Corsica, marking the first such crossing. Capazza, a French balloonist, and Fondère, his companion, are the key participants in this historical event.

Episodes

Background and detail

Background. Louis Henri Capazza was a French semi-professional balloonist born in Bastia, Corsica, in 1862. He made his first balloon ascent in 1886, above Bastia and Ajaccio, using his balloon Gabizos. Alphonse Fondère, a 21-year-old companion, joined Capazza for the historic Mediterranean crossing in 1899.

Flight Details. The flight took place on November 14, 1899, in the balloon Gabizos. It is recognized as the first balloon crossing of the Mediterranean Sea. The journey involved traveling from Marseilles to Corsica, demonstrating the capabilities of balloon travel over water.

Commemoration. Two plaques commemorate Capazza's achievement. One inscription in Marseilles, dedicated in 1930, honors the two travelers. This recognition highlights the significance of the 1899 crossing in the history of aviation.

People involved

Sources

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