Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1894-12-11

workshop on q gcow anchored IN tne
centre OF the narrow channel between
the island and mainland.
was an interested witness to-day oi
tho trial OF the machine. The secretary
and Or. Barross, bis co-laborer, hasinb
arrived by the morning train, the me-
chanlsm was adjusted TO its supporting
frame. Notwithstanding that persistent
rain was plttlng the surface OF the river
The propeller began business-fke "nir'
and. the tension having reached tne DIV
per degree. the machine was reieaseu.
Then the sight was Impressive. L'he q
monstrous swan. II jumped INTO tne a'l'
in the face of n perceptible breeze. and
after sailing gracefully for some distance,
aiighted upon the surface or the "a'.'.
II is made to float. Quickly followed py
the row-boat In attendance, the apparatus
was Brought back and safely housed
whereupon the Secretary and his assist
ant were taken ashore.
In n general way, the sailing monster
suggests gigantic swan. But 10 picture
II I'm mind more exactly as IL rose iroih
the scow. one should conceive pure
white butterfly, ten feet from tip TO "lns'
the posterior pair, however being ue-
tached from the anterior. ana much
smaller In the rear extends vertieal
tail or rudder.
The body glistens like FURNISHED SILVER
In the sunlight. The material IN IL Is
aluminium, and the shape ike that Oh
porpoise. The wings inclined upward AT
a slight angle. the machine being sus-
tanned much as kite Is held IN mo
air. In place Of string and wind are' TWO
Notwithstanding screws. The result OF
Secretary Langley's experiments on
motors il that very light-constructed
steam engine is preferable to storage
battery for aerial navigation.
HOW THE START is MADE.
The field" workshop is a small build
ing erected upon scOw. Before the start
the machine is suspended in light frame
rising from the roof. the principal fea-
ture of which is a long, Inverted track.
In keeping with the secuslon or the
model when In the city. none outside a
chosen few are permitted aboard the
scow, and while little attention Is paid
| to the neighbOring fishermen, the other
visitor to the bay is regarded suspiclously.
| The former look on with indifference.
| One. busily occupied in batting his hooks
paused long enough to ask me: DO they
expect TO have that thing 20 any dis
| tance?"
Before a long flight IL attempted, Its
ultimate possibility being only a question
! of time. the problem OF control, steering
must be more satisfactorily solved. As
| before remarked. the aeroplane VIII read
| fly enough traverse the air, but Is liable
| TO strange eccentricities of motion, such
! as those in which a kite INDUCES when
| not properly balanced. 1t Is 10 learn what
| Is necessary for sure guidance that the
present experiments are conducted. To-
! days trial was but one In series which
/ have been In progress al this autumn
( indeed, from time to time throughout the
last year-after each Of which the con-
/ trivance was returned 20 the city In 4
! large cross-shaped box for the additional
modification suggested by the experiment
/ In the field. About every week now the
! artificial bird IL given flight.
! Test viii succeed modification until such
n point in the models development Is
! reached that this. or one more preten'
tlous, shall be able TO undertake an eX'
tended trip. In the mean time Maxim IS
busy in England with very PROMISING
mechanism. and the eyes OF the scientific
world are watching with intense Interest
for the outcome of the race between thu
two American inventofs-one at home anC
/ one on the other side OF the Atlantic.