New-York tribune., 1905-08-24
SHIP SAILS IN AIRY SEA.
ALL CITY LOOKS UPWARD.
Traffic in Stagnation as Kaabenshue
Frisks IN Clouds.

large part of the business end OF New York
was hold helpless yesterday In a gaping crowd
intent on seeing the fight of A Roy Knaben-
shue in his airship. Long before the time set
for the ascension thousands had gathered near
the vacant lot at 62d-st. and Central Park West.
where the modern Pegasus is stabbed. They
blocked traffic at the point, and made the lives
of the policemen who were on duty at the spot
misera bic.
But great as the trouble here, 1t was
when the huge bird had finally begun its fight
over the city that the excitement really began.
Men and boys after it. pushing, ramming
and hauling through the crowd
All were intent on getting some of the 500
checks which it had been said would be dropped
from the ship. Many fought in little side battles
when one of these pieces of paper f1oated down.
Chagrin was their reward when they found
they were pieces Of newspaper. When the ship
rose over the city people rushed to their win
dows, trolley cars emptied. and the streets
became jammed with people looking up. Broad
way presented a picture with men, women ard
children hanging from every window. while
the roofs of the buildings were crowded. From
canaI-stz ia Harrison-st long line of cars was
stopped. while conductors. motormen and pas
sengers forgot their business and stared into
the sky.
The ship went down 1st-ave., and at 25Jh-st.
stopped remaining stationary for time.
Then Mr.. Knebenshue. apparently to show his
control nnanruvred it in various directions, the
ship answering the rudder at all times,
The balloon on its return trip went directly up
town over 1st-ave as far as 29th-st north
west course then taken to Lexington-ave-
and 42d-st. Here a short stop made, and
then a northeasterly course was taken to 1st-
ave. again. At about 4Sth-st. or 49th-st It went
toward Central Park.
The balloon landed at the south side of the
65th-st transverse road. the edge Of the
ball grounds. This spot was selected by the
navigator, there little prominence on
which he could land easily The balloon landed
almost as lightly as a feather. There was not
scratch where it struck.
Mr.. Knabenshue's trip back through the park
to his lot was through a cheering crowd. Ten
mounted men and forty reserves marched with
him to keep the crowds away from him.
The highest altitude reached was five thou
sand feet" said Mr.. Knabenshue II had the
safety valve fixed that when that altitude
was reached it would blow out allowing the es-
cape of some OF the gas The valve blew.
The appearance of the city from that height
was very peculiar. Everything was hazy and
1t looked as if it was perfectly fiat Not a sky
scraper showed. l could away out TO the
ocean, down certainly as far as Sandy Hook"
This is the last ascension of my airship in
New-York City. On the Both of this month we
go to Cleveland. Ohio. and between now and
the Both shall have the airship on exhibition
at 62d-st. and Central Park West. We may pos
sibly stop at Buffalo for few days on the way
to Ohio. We have been in this city one week
This makes our second ascension. The first
was made last Sunday.
After having displayed the qualities of my
alrship to NEWCOMERS, I shall proceed to
build similar ones to order. l expect that the
alrShip Will soon take the place now held by
the automobile in popular esteem. as the auto
mobile succeeded the bicycle. ] have had many
people deeply interested in the airshp in all
great number of people who wish to have air
ships OF their own. have been compelled to
refuse numbers of requests of people desirouS
Of ascending with me.
have made the ship in this way after study
ing the forms OF fishes. The balloon which I
use is built after the general type of a fish. 1
find the greatest difficulty in the air in fighting
the wind The engine has power to run at the
rate or fifteen miles hour. I do not think,
however, that the air ship will ever be a prac
tical machine
Annie kllmend, a servant, taken to Belle
Vue Hospital for examination s to her mental
ity. She was found at 50th-st. and 3d-ave. scan
ming skies for the airship. She told police
man that her lover was sailor on airShip'
and that he had promised to arrive yesterday
and take her up for sail through the clouds.
Tony Lucas four years old of No. 200 East
station in the afternoon by half a dozen COM
rades He refused to go home and said he
wanted To go up in the balloon Spanking made
him still desrous for an airship.
There were numerous calls for missing children
at all OF the police stations on the East Side.