The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1902-10-11

to observe the ship. From the momen
the propeller attained rapid revolution
the ship slipped easily ahead.
There was no mistaking the accom-
plishment. Almost before the spectator
realized it the ship sailed away over tn
buildings, bound Coney Islandward.
What little air was stirring was agains
the Santos -Dumont. Consequently i
was no drifting exhibition. The tavora
BILE weather conditions influenced large
ly Boice and Stevens to make ascension
yesterday.
Boice moved steadily. with little devi
alton from horizontal line, toward tht
Parkway Baths. High above those build.
! ings he turned his ship in complete ctr
Gle. At the end of the loop be shaped his
course northeast in the direction o.
Sheepshead.
Sheepshead.
Schofeld and Crute ran to the autom-
obile and, calling to two of the workmen,
jumped into the vehicle.
The auto dashed along the beach road
In an efore to get beneath the ship.
When Boice made his turn at the Park
way Baths the auto swung around into
Ocean Boulevard, and followed the direc-
ton uf the air-ship. the auto was eased
down, as the ship was not making more
than five miles an hour. The distance to
Sbeepshead Bay village was traversed
with the ship gliding smoothly through
Boice's craft had reached midway
of this distance when Stevens's ship
was seen to rise over the aerodrome
at Manhattan Beach. 1t transpir-
ed that Stevens had planned an as
cension, but did not contemplate
fight. No preparations for one had
been made. His ship mounted to
height of 1000 feet, when he sig
nailed the men at the drag-line to
let go.
Throughout territory covering
many miles along Long Island peo-
pie saw the two ships Vancouver
ing. In Coney Island, Sheepshead
Bay, Bay Ridge, Bath Beach and
other Brooklyn suburbs the resi-
dents were all eyes for the spectacle.
At Coney Island and Sheepshead
Bay people ran into the streets and
buried along in crowds to follow
the ships. The ships were plainly
seen by three thousand people at
Gravesend racetrack. Glasses were
turned from the horses to the air
ships, and the holders called out to
those near by all that could be
made out. The sport of kings was
for gotten for the time.
Stevens's ship was probably 5000
feet higher in the air than the Boice
machine. He had begun his flight
at 3:45 O'Clock. A half
turn was made at the start, to see
that all was in working order, and
then, with flashing propeller, the
ship moved in the direction taken
by the rival craft. "a race, not a.
lone flight Of air-ships" thousands
said, and excitement became in
tense.
Stevens took the straight course
to Sheepshead Bay, as if he would
head off his rival. By the time he
had reached the outskirts the Boice
machine had settled and was lost
10 the view of the spectators behind
.he woods surrounding Sheepshead
Bay race-track. Stevens then exc
,uted double circle with his ma
chine and sailed back over an east
,rly course toward the Parkway
Baths. He had reached the height
If more than a mile, he said later,
oy the time be was above the build
ng, and, as Boice had done, he
swung his machine full around, and
hen steered a course over Coney
Island.
So high in the air was that peo-
ole below saw only the outline of
he balloon. Stevens and his car
we're lost to sight. He reached a
point, as a plummet would fall, at
West Eighth street, between surf
md Neptune avenues, when he was
observed to turn and head back. |
The ship was seen to settle rapidly,
,ut apparently at the will of the
leronaut.
Approaching West First street it
vas not more than 400 feet above
ground. Supt. Finley, of the Man
rattan Beach Company, with sew
raj, had followed Stevens's course.
He had dropped his anchor line
when at height of about 1000 feet.
This line caught in the overhead
wires at West First street and
Sheepshead Bay road.
A moment later it formed a short
,ircuit with electric wires and was
burned apart. Two score men grasp |
ID the rope and tried to control the
.irship. Meantime Stevens, pre-
7ented from further flight by the
.14 .~o,oJ 4Lo oooo~o uo1uo