Sadler's royal balloon flight. Artwork of English aeronaut James Sadler (1751-1828) ascending in a balloon on 12 August 1811, with Captain Paget (right) of the Royal Navy. This balloon is decorated in honour of the birthday of the Prince Regent (the future King George IV), whose health was toasted during the journey. The flags are of the Duke of Gloucester and the Earl of Hardwicke. The ascent took place at 3 in the afternoon from the famed pleasure gardens of the Mermaid Tavern, Hackney, London, with the landing made 80 minutes later near Tilbury Fort on the banks of the Thames, in Essex. The distance covered was around 32 kilometres.