[1] In 1823, Harris made successful experiments on the River Thames with a view to preventing ships from being struck by lightning.

[4] Harris invented the first mechanism for emptying a balloon canopy of gas or hot air, thus reducing the drag on landing.

In the resulting crash Harris was killed, and his travelling companion, an eighteen-year-old woman named Sophia Stocks "from the Haymarket", was badly injured.

The crash was observed by a gamekeeper, who gave evidence at the inquest: He heard a report resembling distant thunder, and on looking up at the instant in the direction of the sound, saw the balloon descending with great velocity, striking the branch of a tree in its descent; and on proceeding to assist the sufferers, he found the Female almost in a state of insensibility, and Mr. Harris quite dead in the bottom of the car, with a black mark upon his neck.

[4]Harris's companion, Miss Sophia Stocks, was described by journalists present as an intrepid girl and was reported to have got into the balloon's gondola "with but slight appearance of fear".