The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-01-31
AND CONTROLLED.
A mile in less than a minute!

A mile in less than minute!
Two large sails have just been rugged
on a bicycle driven by seven crack
riders, and they will shortly attempt
to cover a mile in less than 60 sec
onds. The big machine with its
spread of canvas presents a strange
spectacle.
Frank ]. Marion of Syracuse. N. Y.
who got I'D the world-famed race be-
tween the Empire State express and a
septuplet, in which the bicycle came OH
victor, designed this latest cycling SEN
Sation.
The idea of q machine which could
carry a spread of canvas and seven
men is absolutely unique.
In casting about for some means by
which the riders of this, the largest
practical machine ever constructed,
could receive additional aid in their
record breaking attempt, Mr.. Marion
one day conceived the idea Of adding
sail power TO the machine.
The subject of adding two big sails
to the machine was suggested to ii. t.
Maslin, who is himself an enthusiast
upon the subject of record breaking by
the quintet seXtet and septuplet riders,
and after some discussion and study of
the matter it was decided to rig the
huge machine with sails and see what
would result when with seven strong
limbed riders and two drawing sails It
Should be set going against time.
The idea was q. perfectly novel one,
for while sails on single bicycles had
previously been tried with more or less
success, the idea of actually rigging a
big seven-rider machine with a COM
piete suit of sails, which should be con-
trOlled by the riders, was something de-
cidedly new in the history of cycling.
&c ri
of the seXtet which raced the Empire
State express, with the single exception
that whereas the SeXteJ carried six
riders, the septuplet, as it name i'm
plies, bass even.
1t has never been shown in this
country, but was sent as soon as it was
constructed to Paris, where it remained
for two months. after which it was
Shown by its riders in a number of
cities OF Europe. It was then taken to
London, where it was a constant source
of wonder and comment to the Eng-
liSh riders.
The machine has Just been returned
to this country, and Immediately on its
arrival hera Severn DoriOn, we'll
knova designer of sail boats. was con-
suited, and after consideration of the
plan. said that he saw no reason why
a suit Of sails should not work as well
on a big machine as upon a sailboat
He was accordingly given the order
to make q proper suit of sails for the
machine. and these have Just been
fitted onto the light spars which carry
them.
The masts are of wood. light but
very strong. The forward one is fitted
or stepped into a solid metal holder or
socket, which rises from the framework
of the machine just back of the seat
of the first rider, while the second mast
is placed between the siXtn and last
riders.
The forward mast is about u feet
in length. While the second or rear
stick is some two feet shorter. The rig
is almost q canoe rig. The sails are
some triangular in shape. and when set
are KEPT in position by numerous small
gaffs, which are in the nature of small
DOOmS running from the mast through
the sails to their outer edges
The sails are controlled by the sec
Ond and seventh riders, but inasmuch
as there is very little tacking done
when the machine is under sail, so to
speak. this is not so great a disad-
vantage as it at first appears.
When. however. it is necessary to
come about or set the sails on the
: other side of the machine, the booms
can be raised by cord and pulley. so
as 90 clear the heads Of the riders and
allow the sails to swing across clear.
The upper gaff of the front or larger
SAL extends several feet above the top
OF the mast while the boom projects
outward about f26 square feet while
the second or rear sail has an area of
about s. square feet, thus giving a