Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-09-03
Buzzard All Ready and Man.
" Says Goodbye.
MOTOR WOULDN'T WORK
THEATRICAL START SPOILED BY
PRoSAIC MACHINERY.
At the Last Moment the Propellers
Became Obstinate and Mechanics
Had to Be Called Upon.
Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.

Special Dispatch to The Evening Star.
Underwater, Va, September 3-Prof-
Samuel P. Langleys sixty-foot aerodrome
was fully equipped on the launching car
this afternoon at o'clock for an Aerial
voyage. Prof. Charles M. Manly, the chief
assistant to the inventor. stepped into the
navigator's car. At a given signal Prot.
Langley members Of the board Of ordnance
and Qualifications. and nearly all those COM
posing the housebOat force, boarded the
tugs and were conveyed to points about a
half mile distant.
The superstructure was cleared of men,
excepting Head Carpenter Reed and an
other mechanic. Prof. Manly addressed a
few words each to his brothers. Drs. Will
lam and John Manly. He then gave his at
tention to the motor. the product Of his
own engineering skill.
This he started to set into operation to
have 1t going we'll in time to catch the air
at the end of the launching track.
Serious Hitch Occurs
But unfortunately a serious hitch &C.
CURED in the working of the propellers.
These. in fact, didn't work at all. Prot.
Manly repeatedly went through the Gus
tomary motions of turning the wheel for
getting the machinery started.
At this juncture everything excepting the
navigator was still as death about the
housebOat.
Many press boats and pleasure yachts
had gathered about the place. These and
the tugs remained motionless, the nerves of
their occupants stretched to the limit
Everything was expectancy.
The men charged with giving the signal
appeared to get nervous when the propeller
wheels once started turning htfully. A
rocket, designed to mark the start, was sent
Off. 1t went high into the air with loud
explosion. Everybody but Prof. Manly was
startled. but he remained absolutely COOL
Wonderful Self Control.
His presence of mind and self-control
were wonderful. His bearing excited the
hearty admiration of all the witnesses.
Again he tugged at the wheels, again the
propellers refused to go around. This con-
tinued for nearly half hour. when Prof.
Manly had to call for assistance.
A workman was sent to his aid. Together
the two men labored hard, but at 2:40 sue
cess had not been attained.
Prof. Langley Talks.
Prof Langley at / o'clock made a state
ment In which he said that he had strong
hopes and expectations for successful
launching.
IF there is accident at the household
in the launching" the inventor said, I'VE
hope to see a successful flight.
1.-The greatest fear Is for the immediate
launching" he went on to say. and pointed
out that some hitch In the working of the
machinery might throw the whole appara-
tus out of form and cause a wrecking. Once
well away from the superstructure, he said.
the machine was expected to behave itself
admirably.
He said that the flight would be started
toward the south with curve around 10
the northwest. and asked that the news
paper boats and other craft give the ma
chine clear berth. This he said was very
desirable in order to insure much
possible the safety of the human life in
yOlved.
Prof. Langley appeared very serious. bu.
he kept his composure. though the strain
on his nerves was evident.
Prof Manly's efforts to get the motor of
the Langley airship to work had not sue
ceeded at 3 o'clock.
The test may have to be abandoned this
afternoon. though efforts are still being
made to get the machine off.
Everything in Perfect Condition.
Much care has been taken by Prof. Man
ly to have the launching carriage, the
seventy-five foot track and it's entire equip
ment in perfect order for the experiment
of the aerodrome. The track grade. the
stability of the rails. the automatic folding
action of the car frame when the end of the
course is reached: the efficacy of the steel
springs underneath which are to furnish
the momentum and all other parts con-
nected with the launching apparatus have
been repeatedly tested under the eye of the
chief assistant
Nearly everything has been found - work
as smoothly as was hoped. After the ex-
perts had been waiting several days for an
experiment another inspection of the rolling
carriage was ordered. 1t resulted in tie dis.
coyery OF slight defect which was rene
died by few hours work. Unless there is
something wrong now beyond the power of
the experts to detect 1t may be said that
the launching outfit is in the best possible
condition for excellent service.
Moves With Great Ease.
With the 2O0-pound flying machine perch
ed upon 1t. the rolling carriage moves with
the greatest ease. 1t requires scarcely
hard push to set it in motion. SO perfectly
are the wheels and all the other parts ad-
Justed
If careful forethought and skilled work
manship can prevent. there will pc 10 acct
dent in getting the aerodrome away FROM
the houSeboat.
The twelve STEEL springs do not contract
in the direction in which the car is going
for launching The power that they sup
ply is transmitted over pulleys. When the
springs fly back they carry with them the
end of a cable. the other end of which
Is attached to the launching car. the cable
working over a wheel at the distant end
from the starting point.
A Delicate Trigger.
A delicate trigger. which Is worked by
means of cord. will set the motive ap-
paratus in operation. To outsiders there
has been some uncertainty as to what be-
comes of the rolling carriage when 1t has
reached the end of the track. 1t will be
stopped there. suddenly it is true. but