Jean Pierre Blanchard, French aeronaut, and Dr. John Jeffries, of Boston made the first successful voyage by air across the English Channel on January 7, 1783.
The story of the flight is one of the most dramatic in the annals of aviation history. Hundreds of people watched the two brave men rise from Dover, England, in a hydrogen balloon and soar across the water. They carried only 30 pounds of ballast, and Blanchard was doubtful of the balloon's ability to carry two passengers. Only on the pledge that he would jump over- board if necessary, was Dr. Jeffries -- the financier of the venture -- permitted to go.