Los Angeles herald., 1905-04-03
'FLYTIME' TALES
FROM SKYV|LLE
GREAT WONDERS OF AIR ARE
PICTURED
Things That Are, and Things That
Have Been, VIII Seem Like
Nausht TO Things That
Will be

Etherealized Air Line, the Longest in
the Worldly
SKYvILLE, via Cloudburg and or
one, April 2. 1925.-The christening Of the
new aerial battleship California, which
took place in the harbor here today,
attracted throngs of visitors. The gov
ernor and party of state and national
officials arrived early in the beautiful
and commodious sky-yacht Sprite,
which anchored in the outer harbor.
No sooner was the shapely yacht
hove to than aeroplanes were lowered
from the other ships anchored nearby
and parties put off to welcome the dis
tingushed guests to Skyville.
Throughout the forenoon, yachts
mingled with excursion steamers,
gathered in the harbor until 1t pre-
sented a scene of rare animation and
beauty. Varicolored flags floated ev-
erywhere, the national ensign predom-
mating and flying from rudderpeaks
on every hand, while from hundred
sylphlike aerial yachts the burgee of
the Skyville yacht club fioated on the
breeze
Several accidents marred the days
pleasure, yet considering the crowded
condition of the harbor, they were re-
markably scarce. But few of the visit
ing vessels anchored on account of the
depth of the air at this point, about
two miles, but spent the time instead
cruising around and exchanging
greetings by means of the etherealized
air instruments, with which all up-to-
date vessels designed for the naviga-
ton of the air are fitted.
Ceremonies Begin
When the sun had just passed the
meridian, the ceremonies attendant
upon the launching of the new Eagle
of the Air" began. After an address
by the governor on the value of the
navy a waiter, bearing bottle of
champagne In a silver bucket filed
with ice, ascended the christening
platform.
Miss frankie Grafterhaus, who
christened the vessel, next advanced
to the platform. She was clad in a
natty sky yachting costume of blue
serge knickerbockers and coat Just
and the huge vessel broke away, the
cork popped from the champagne and
the young woman, seizing the bottle,
held it high above her head and ex-
| claimed: 'I christen thee California,
and may the gods give thee luck" So
saying, she reversed the bottle and
drank to the fortune of the mighty
engine of war in one long draught un-
til the quart was gone.
With a sweep that was both grand
and graceful the huge terror of the air
rose above the fleet, while the air shook
with the scream OF whistles and roar
of saluting cannon. The 500 foot ves-
gel is capable of speed of 100 miles
an hour, and Capt. Knabenshue
handled her with great deal of skill.
After extensive maneuvers outside, the
CT plain steered his mighty craft
through the fleet assembled to do her
honor.
The churning propellers and the wash
of the huge ship wrought havoc among
the smaller craft, several capsizing.
The occupants of these latter managed
to cling to their overturned craft until
the sailors could fasten Reynolds AL
batross life preservers about them,
when they were able to stay afioat
until rescued by other vessels.
Races Big Attraction
The races arranged by the Skyville
Yacht club proved a strong attraction.
At 2:30 the committee boat Sylph
anchored outside the harbor. The tor
pedo boat Admiral Baldwin, logged off
the course, which was triangular, and
anchored buoys to mark the turning
stakes. This course is an exception
ally fine one, being entirely free from
shoals and islands, there being not less
than 1000 fathoms of air over the entire
course.
A considerable fleet faced the line
waiting for the starting gun, but two
of the racers, Spook Chaser and Hob
goblin, claimed almost the entire in
terest of the spectators. Both had
ardent admirers and enthusiastic back
ers. A dozen bookmakers cut in on the
committee boat and did tremendous
business by means of the etherealized
air outfits, which on this vessel are
exceptionally complete. BY the aid of
these machines bets were received and
placed not only from other vessels,
but from cities at various distances
away on the earth below In fact, the
communication was complete and con-
tinuous from short time before the
race started until after the finishing
gun was fired.
Excitement was intense as the ten
starters, all trim racers, lined up after
the preparatory gun, to be away be-
fore the smoke of the starting gun
had cleared
An Exciting Chase
Like comets the flyers went away.
But a few minutes after the start the
two favorites were seen to be drawing
ahead and at the first mark they had a
comfortable lead over the remainder of