The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1905-10-23
TUGB0AT
SUPPLANTS
AUTOMOBILE

New York. oct. 23.-Charles Hamilton.
a young Texas balloonist. flew into fame
yesterday Afternoon in Lawyer Ludlow's
latest aeroplane. airship No. a.
The previous attempts to prove the
man-carrying ability Of the aeroplane
were made on land with an automobile
to run with the strings OF the huge kite.
Yesterdays experiment had a large tug
as the motive power.
The ascension took place at the foot
Of West Seventy ninth street. The aero
plane, which resembled in most particu-
lars it's sister ships. was carried to the
water front by an enthusiastic crowd OF
small boys, and placed about zoo feet
from the waters edge.
An inch rope. which served as n string
TO the big kite, was carried aboard the
tug Dewitt G. WINS The tug started
OF at fun speed. will a slack line, which,
when taken up. was TO jerk the aeroplane
into the air. Hamilton raised the front
OF the airship from the ground and stood
waiting. The slack was taken up gradu-
ally. however, and instead Of ascending
with n jump, Hamilton found himself
doing his old stunt OF rying to run, with
an aeroplane handicap. The airship re-
fused to rise. and Hamilton was saved
from n quick bath by the timely casting
of Of the line.
On the fourth attempt the tug was
headed straight into the wind and was
sent ahead full speed. The slack OF the
rope was taken up with a jerk and the
airship lifted until Hamilton was running
on tlptoe. For a moment 1t looked as
Ia a. H. ..~-..I .4N . AaA
barge lying against the bank. but at the
critical moment a sharp gust Of wind
swept across the river and the aeroplane
leaped aloft like a thing alive. Hamilton
looked like a big spider In n huge wei
as he climbed swiftly from side TO side
TO maintain his equilibrium.
CHEERED BY CROWDS.
Hamilton soon had his ship on an even
keel as she shot rapidly upward and
caught the full force OF the wind. Tho
tug was under full Roadway now, and
with 700 feet Of line out the white winged
machine sailed steadily upward to an
altitude of nearly 300 feet. Hamilton
waved his handkerchief at the crowds
and got a cheer.
The tug was heading diagonally down
river. II had been the intention TO go as
far south az the Battery. but the ferry
boat Albany got In tho way and the
course was changed TO nearly upstream.
The wide circle necessitated by the
change Of course caused the rope 10
slacken. and the aeroplane began az once
TO settle toward tho river. II was seen
at once that Hamilton's bath time had
come. and n dozen small launches headed
for the place where he would fall.
Hamilton was once more put 10 Il 10
keep right side up. but he succeeded. and
the alrship. sweeping down I'm a long
graceful curve. settled with scarcely n
splash into the river. by this time the
men on board the tug had taken In the
slack Of the rope and for a moment the
%aeroplane SKINNED along the surface as
II IL was her native element. Hamilton
had climbed 20 the supper part 81 the
machine. lie was still smiling. but as
the canvas wings became sOake the aero
plane began 10 settle and the water rose
TO the a%eronaut's knees. Before his ardoT
could be further dampened a launch drew
alongside. Hamilton made n quick Jump
and the voyage was ended. The course
covered was a little crer n half mile.
After the aeroplane had been picked
up Mr. Ludlow talked lie said that he
had a plan for making folding %aeroplanes
with aluminium ribs. These airships p"
said Ludlow. could be carried I'm small
snecc n used with effect for observa-
ton purposes On time Of war. with n
swift torpedo boat destroyer one could
easily be sent up 1000 feet without the
aid - the wind They would he invalu-
able IN Just such = river az this. when
~ vas wished 10 ASCERTAIN the strength
% position ~ inland batteries