The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1905-07-10
Contests Being Arranged for at
the Portland Exposition,
CAPTAIN BALDWIN IN CHARGE
Two Ships Already in Aerodrome. De.
signed after Famous California Arrow
Others to Participate, Flights VIII
Occur Within a Short Time.

| Portland, Ore, July 9,-With two air
ships already on the grounds, and Sc
ries Of flights and contests scheduled fol
an early date, the prospects OF success
| full demonstrations at the Lewis an(
Clark Exposition of the practicabilit,
of aerial navigation are exceedingly
bright. Captain T. s, Baldwin, inventor
of the California Arrow, the only sue
cessful airship at St. Louis last summer
is in charge OF the contests at Portland
which. for the first time, have been put
upon a practical financial basis, so as
TO avoid all unnecessary fukes.
The two airships now housed in the
aercdrome, on the Aeronautic Concourse
at the Fair, are the Angelus, which was
designed by Captain Baldwin, and built
by him in Portland, and machine Of
which Charles B. Knox, prominent
gelatine manufacturer of Johnstown
n. Y, is the inventor. Both machines
are built after the model of Captain
Baldwin's Arrow, but differ in impor-
tant details of construction. The ma.
chimes have gas bags for lifting power,
and the propelling machinery rests on
an open framework composed OF three
long, light beams; braced frequently by
cross pieces. The framework is OF tri-
angular cross section. The aeronant
while running the machine, stands on
one of the lower beams. While the air
ships are steered to the right or left by
means OF a rudder like that on boat,
the upward and downward direction is
obtained by changing the balance OF the
craft, this being accomplished by the
aeronaut moving forward or backward
along the beam.
Captain Baldwin's machine has cigar
shaped bag of pongee silk, 90 feet long
by y feet in diameter, and has a capaci.
ty of 10000 cubic feet. The frame.
work and engine weighs 2l5 pounds
Oregon spruce was used exclusively in
the construction of the frame, as this
wood, according to Captain Baldwin, is
the hghtest and strongest known. The
motive force for the craft is furnished
BY seven and half horse power two.
cylinder, four cycle gasoline motor
which is situated near the forward end.
The propeller, which consists of two
blades similar to those used in water
is located at the forward
end, and pulls the airship after it.
This is done SO that the air current en-.
rendered may be used TO cool the engine
The rudder, which sticks out behind like
he tail Of a fish, is operated by steer
ing ropes. Lincoln Beachy, Of San
francisco, has been engaged as aeronaut.
In the Knox machine, which is in
harge Of George c. Tomlinson an aer-
,naut Of Syracuse, y. Y, the gas bag
5 Al feet long and l9 l2 feet in diam.
ter, and shaped like an elongated egg
romlinion's machine has propeller
With disc shaped blades, which he claims
$ distinct advantage, and he has his
ngine moved forward Of the center Of
,ravity. This enables the aeronaut to
'e near his engine all the time. Tom
inson's engine is single-cylinder, five
orse e.power motor.
Captain Baldwin, who has charge Of
he fights and contests at the Fair, has
greed 10 furnish twenty ascents during
he Exposition period, which continues
ntil October Is, and, If weather con-
itions permit, he will give two exhibi-
ions a week. Weather conditions at
'ortland are far superior to those at
t. Louis, strong winds being quite in
requent, and on this account, if for {
o other, it is thought that the airship
experiments may meet with success. I;
he gas making arrangements are also /;
luch superior, and the place of starting,
n the shore Of Guilds Lake, in the
estern part Of the grounds, is an ideal
ne. II is planned that the airships +,
hall describe course over the City Of .
ortland, circle the Observation Tower
n Portland Heights, and return to the
arting place.
Captain Baldwin, who is probably the
'remost aerial navigation expert in the
nited States, has been working on the
'oblem Of aerial navigation for a quar-.
n Of century. Originally tight
ire walker, he became interested in
llloon asccensions, and conceived and I
orked out the idea Of the parachute
lp. He was also for some time a well
lown baseball magnate. The captain