The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1903-07-19
STORM PREVENTS
TEST OF BUzZARD
Initial Trial Was Planned
for Yesterday.
CRAFT DRIVEN BY THE WIND
Carried Mile From MoOrings, But Not
Injured-Langley Viii Not
Ride.
Especial to The washington Times,

storm which threatened 10 wreck Prof.
Langley's ark and alrship upon the
virginia shore this morning. subsided
this afternoon, and the ''buzzard" WIS
ieit riding at anchor a mile from her
FORMER moorings. where her anchor had
caught more firmly in the mud. The
rough water AID rain made work upon
the ark impossible for the remainder OF
the day.
About 4:30 O'Clock this afternoon the
launch made her return trip 10 the
island club. but an additional number OF
men were left on board the ark to
guard against any unforeseen danger.
Tomorrow Sunday the ark Will either
be towed back TO its former position
by the tug which brought her down here
from Washington. or the men will en-
deavor to regain their old mooring
ground by pulling up anchor and trust
ing TO the ebb tide and the guidance
Of the launch
Weather Delayed Trial
The bad weather today made It i'm
possible to undertake the trial flight.
which, It was expected. would be made
before sundown. Under the present con-
ditions it Is not likely that a trial CT
the airshlp will be made until Monday
or Tuesday.
Not since the days Of Grover Cleve-
land and his duck hunting trips. has
this small OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES
so much public attention as Il does to-
day. with Prof. LangIey's ark. contain
ing his $4,000 aerodrome anchored in
the Potomac. midway between Wide
water and Virginia. Last Wednesday
the natives were surprised to see the
topheavy craft coming slowly down the
river. towed By stout tug Langley.s
boat. however. has been here twice be-
fore in past years, snd the people OF
Whitewater are therefore used 70 the
mysterious ark. that resembles q float
ing grain elevator more than anything
else. TIE natives have seen this craft
anchored : mile or two from shore for
several months at time. and have new
er caught glimpse OF so much as 4
wing OF the bird which IL 10 supposed
to contain
Speculation On Result.
The advent Of small army OF news-
paper men and Of press launch. bring
ing the assurance that the famous SCI
enlist means business, and will fy or
swim before many days have passed.
has aroused great interest. Farmers
and fishermen congregate around the
station and the postofhce, from which
II Is possible to get e good view OF the
ark. surnamed the "Buzzard," and dis
cuss the possibility OF Langley's flying.
The verdict Of the majority is that tbs
professor stands more than an even
chance fer a frst-class bath There is
hardly a minute OF the day that glasses
Of some kind are not leveied at the
"Buzzard;' IN fact. the ancient telescope
az the station is in almost constant use.
A reward has been offered by the news
paper correspondents for the finest
views OF a bona hde attempt to fly the
machine.
Langley and his party-which consists
of scientists from the Smithsonian,
Vcrkmen. ana guards-have so far ut
terly ignored Whitewater. They make
their headquarters at the Island Club.
near Quantico. four miles up the river.
small gasolene launch conveys the
men 10 and fro every night and morning.
Natives Resent Neglect.
This utter lack of friendliness has
placed the citizens in league with re-
porters IN the effcrt 10 learn all the de-
tails OF the machine and its tests. IN
spite Of Prof Langley's efforts at con-
eealment. Everything aboard the ark
is as secret as the grave, To all ques-
items the men turn 9 deaf ear.
IL his en5eavor TO fool the members
OF the press and the world in general.
Prof. Langley will probably make the
attempt 10 fly his machine soon after
sunrise. Whom he once decides 20
launch his bird" it Will be the work of
only a short hour to throw open the
wide folding doors of the ark and to
hoist the aerodrome TO the track above.
While Langley's boat has been here
for months at ttI2e before. never be-
fore has there been such a force Of men
employed aboard her rs st present.
Their diligence and marked activity
about the boat lead one to think that
there will be an early trial flight
Secrecy Proves Costly.
1t is conceded that the greater part OF
the preparatory work must have been
done while the ark was anchored at the
Eighth Street pier in Washington. II
may be that Prot. Langley has brought
his boat down the river a month Or
two before the date on which he in
tends TO experiment. in order to throw
the press of the scent. II this is the
case. 1t would appear that the expense
OF secrecy is great. and what is more. is
paid for by the Government.
1t is understood that the airship VIII
have as a guide when it starts its
perilous Journey. not Prof. Langley. bat