The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-12-26
LONGEST FLIGHT.
Ever Made in America by an
Airship.


Los Angeles, Cal, Dec. 26-Captain
Baldwins balloon, 1.-The Arrow" I"
piloted by Roy Knabenshue, made the
! longest flight yesterday ever made in
America by an airship. Starting from
! the southern part of the city The
Arrow" moved across the business sec
ton toward Pasadena. The distance
covered is estimated as between twelve
and fifteen miles. Mr.. Knabenshue
says his motor was going most of the
time at a rate of fifteen miles an hour.
1.-The Arrow remained up for an hour
and half, returning to a point near
the starting place.
The fight was successful in every
/ respect. Several times the operator
stopped to make evolutions in the air,
showing the machine to be under per-
I feet control. The previous record for
an American airShiD was ten miles,
made by The Arrow at st. Louis.
The wind was blowing from ten to
fourteen miles an hour. In descend
current of wind, going at the rate OF
about twenty miles an hour. The
gasoline motor of the balloon can
make but fifteen miles and the driver
was obliged to land at Pico and STAN
ford streets, twelve blocks from the
starting place.
AS showing that the principles of
construction made use of in the bal
loon are correct the trip was a COM
plete success. Mr.. I1nabenShue trav-
eled the greater part of the time at an
elevation of half a mile, where he
found the wind not too strong for his
motor and demonstrated that the plan
OF the machine was beyond question
one that, if added to by increased
power, would solve the requirements
of aerial navigation.
When Captain Baldwin gave the
word to loose the airship shortly after
3 a'clock the trail rope was united
and the ship rose rose clear in the
air with such grace as to call forth a
cheer from the 5000 persons who
were watching. KnabenshUe stood on
the fral frame work, grasping the
/ tfller ropes, and coolly nodded assent
to Baldwin's shouted Instructions
Don't speed the motor until you get
500 feet up. AS the ship rose over
| the heads of the spectators the bow
was pointed almost due north, the
wind being northeasterIy its speed at
the surface being estimated at about
twelve miles an hour. Knabenshue
evidently was feeling the temper of his
craft. for he shifted the helm as he
steadily rose, sending its nose to the
right and the left and shifting his ele-
Vauon. but constantly increasing his
height
After about half a mile on his start
Ing course the aeronaut shifted readily
to the northwest and showed some very
pro " ma v'9arOn in his ATTEMPTS to
tack against he sea breeze which was
directly in his face. Several times he
tried his -ngines dead ahead in the face
OF The wind but it was too strong for
I the plucky little two cylinder motor
and even by veering and taking the
hreeZe ct a long angle he could not
make he way -eded.
At this juncture he rose still higher,
and seeking a more amenabIe current
Travelled northerly at about three or
four miles, and, turning as readily as a
catboat in a good breeze. sailed easter
~ and southerly, intending by a long
loop to return to the starting point The
evolution was well worked out and the
skilled aermanship showed won instant
admiration
Slowly but surely Kna benshue forced
the little craft back to the south veer-
ing away to the east when the wind
struck the sides of the swaying gas bag
too strongly AS soon as the gust would
pass back to his course he would bring
the ship around. until he hauled it within
a couple of blocks of his starting place,
but something more than half a mile
IN the air. He scored the most interest
ing part of his evolutions, winding up
and down and then letting just enough
gas escape to aid his maneuvering.
AS he approached the 500 foot level
Knabenshue found himself in an air
current of about twenty miles an hour.
This his little motor could not stem.
He had descended too low to enable him
to rise above it, and the hour was grow
ing late,so he evidently decided to make
the best landing he could. He still had
control of his ship,a was near enough
to the earth to enable sharp eyes to de-
tect him peering over the slender rail
of the craft, seeking a suita BILE place.
While he headed toward the Chutes
park the wind carried him north by east
and finally he reached ground at dis
tance of twelve blocks from where he
started. He secured the ship to the
telegraph poles without injury to it
or himself and slid down the trail rome