Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-12
PL0DEDlh::: 1.-THE AIR
Accident to Air,ship Causes
Two Deaths.
- IF & x 4
TRIAL TRIP M PARIS
Id
4 ii
SENIOR SEVERE AND ASSISTANT
THE VICTIMS.
Horrible Spectacle Witnessed by His
Friends, Who Were Following
in Automobiles.


PARIS, May 12.-Severo, the Brazilian
aeronaut, and one of his assistants were
killed by the explosion of Severo's airship
La Paix in making a trial trip this morn
ing. The accident created terrible con-
,sternation among the. spectators Of the
trial. -
Senior Severe had invited a number Of
friends to witness the ascension. and his
wife and number Of relatives were fol-
lowing the course of the balloon in motor
cars. Suddenly the spectators were horri-
fed by bright flash of light, followed by
a loud explosion. The balloon, which at
this time was 1,5O0 feet above the ground
fell rapidly, landing on the roof Of house.
Dashed to Pieces in the Street.
The aeronaut fell into the street and was
dashed to pieces. The bones Of his legs
were forced through the soles Of his boots
The engineer who accompanied him was
burned to death. The accident is said to
have been caused by leakage of gas
Senior Severe started with the intention
of sailing to the military parade ground at
Issy, and a large number of his relatives
and friends were proceeding in the direc-
ton of that village Asituated five miles
southwest Of Paris With an engineer
named Sachet, Severe sailed out Of his
balloon house near the Boulevard de Vau-
full Of confidence, the aeronaut put his air
ship through series Of evolutions before
starting in the direction Of Issy. There
seemed to be some hitch with the steering
gear, and the rear propelling screw turned
with difficulty. Nevertheless, after several
stoppages, the airship sailed off, moving
steadily enough through light breeze.
Suddenly a puff Of wind caught the ship
and whirled it over the Avenue Dumaine.
The ship turned completely round and
veered about in a fashion showing that con-
troll Of her had been lost.
Burst With Loud Report.
Then from the center Of the outer en-
velope tongue Of flame darted out This
was followed by a loud report, resembling
cannon shot, and the ship sank like
stone, falling on the roof Of house, thence
into some trees, and finally reaching the
Avenue Dumaine, almost ON top of it's oc-
cupants, who had previously been precipi-
tated to the stone pavement. The fearfully
mangled corpses Of Severe and Sachet were
conveyed to a neighboring police station
The bodies presenter horrible spectacle,
especially that of Saefiet The flames which
caused the explosion" burned the engineer
in most shocking manner. Practically
not bone of either victim was left I'M
fractured and both. ,skuAs were terribly
crushed. '@I All 49,
40
Senior -severo's affship, called La Paix,
had made two asceI1sions at the Vauga-
rars Aerostatic Park sincs May T. Upon
both occasions La PAX was held by rope
at the height of forty, meters. In this posi-
ton the airship mareuvered for a short
time successfully" , aGs
La Paix was not unlike Santos umont's
airships in appearance, but it differed from
them in many details. The gas capacity Of
La PafS was nearly four times greater
than that of Santas-Dumonts balloons. It
had three main propellers and two smaller
ones, used for steering and in ascending
and descending. The two petroleum mot
ors of La Patx were of "a and 16 horse
power, respectively. After the ascension of
May 4, Senior Severe said he would not
make another trial until there was perfect
tempt to extend his hight. Upon this
casion Senior Severe and two assistants
went up in the airship.
Twenty Years on Problem.
Senior Augusta Severe has occupied him.
self with the problem of air-f1ying for more
than twenty years. In 1881 he carried out
some interesting Siderable kite experiments
in Brazil. In 1894 he constructed large
steerable balloon, but the results with this
were not satisfactory.
Senior Severe was at one time a deputy
and president of the budget committee in
the parliament at Rio Janeiro. He was
born about forty years ago.
Senior Severe arrived in Paris with fly
ing machine last November. He then an
nounced his intention to sail across and
around Paris. His last balloon Is described
as carrying a car shaped like long par
allelogram, drawn up directly beneath the
cannot crumple or cave ill., and it does not
tin or careen like that of SantOS-Dumont