Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-11-13
OUMONT'S GREAT FEAT
Flew in New Machine Without
Aid of a Gas Bag.
CROWD SEES PERFORMANCE
Covered 635 Feet in Less Than TWEEN
ty-0ne Seconds.
MOB HAMPERED THE TRIAL
Next Trip Will Be Made on Race
Track, Where Spectators Can Be
Kept Under Control.
MOB HAMPERED THE TRIAL

ular interest and worldwide Importance
Those people who have been in any way
skeptical with regard to the previous ex-
periments made by M. Santos Dumont in
that domain of aerostation known as
heavier than air. can no longer have the
slightest grounds for their attitude after the
marvellous prolonged flight made by the
dauntless Brazilian this afternoon just be-
fore dusk on the field of Bagatelle.
In twenty-one seconds the Bird of Prey
flew 21O meters about 6S5 feet). at a height
of between two and three meters about 10
feet from the ground, and there is every
reason to think that M. Santos-Dumont
would be ct this moment the winner of the
Deutsch- Archdeacon prize of 50.0O0f. $40
0OO had 1t not been for the stupid conduct
of section of the crowd which thronged
the field.
Early this morning the Bird of Prey was
wheeled from Hangar, at Neuilly to the
starting point, where hundred people had
assembled. Among the well-known sports
men there were Marquis de Dion, NJ Rene
de Knyff. NJ. Deutsch de la Meurthe. M.
Surcouf, the Comte de Lambert. NM.
Archdeacon, Capterrer, Rousseau, Besancon,
Journu and most of the active members of
the Aero Club, including NJ. jacques Faure.
Two Machines There.
The entire field was surrounded by auto
scended to witness the remarkable proceed
ings. The occasion presented a special in
terest, at another point of the field NJ.
Bleriots aeroplane was also being equip
ped for flight, and for the time 1t was con-
jectured there might even be keen contest
in the air between the two machines.
Shortly before 10 o'clock the first expert
ment with the Bird of Prey commenced.
The motor. affected by the chilly air. did
not give its maximum force, and although
flight was attained 1t did not extend in any
instance for more than fifty or sixty meters.
The length of the field was taken several
times, and it was amply demonstrated that
NJ. Santos-Dumont could steer in any direc-
ton he desired almost as easily as with an
automobile. He turned and steered in a
most simple fashion. even with the wheels
upon the ground, but he failed to obtain a
definite flight.
BY IL o'clock it was decided to postpone
further experiments until O'Clock, as one
of the wheels required adjusting after a
slight shock In descending. Meanwhile the
Bleriot machine was executing various ma
neuvers up and down the field. but the two
wooden propellers with which 1t was fur
nished hardly seemed to have sufficient
grip upon the air. Moreover, the motors
were not sufficiently au point.
The machine refused to leave the ground
Experiments with this aeroplane were put
to an end for some time to come by reason
of an accident of a curious nature. The
man in charge was busily occupied doing
something 10 one OF the TWO motors, anu
had diverted his attentian from the routes.
The result was that the heavy structure
bounded across the road at the far end of
the field. and the shock was so great that
Splintered. Fortunately, no one was hurt.
There was nothing left to do but cart the
apparatus away for alterations and repairs.
Running Start.
At o'clock breeze was blowing. NJ.
Santos-Dumont thought it was too strong,
and this view was shared by NJ. Archdea-
con and other aeronauts present. 1t was
decided to wait. The Bird Of Prey was
| thoroughly overhauled in the presence of
| an immense crowd which continued to lin
ger, completely fascinated by the prospect
! of witnessing some sensational perform
| ance. 1t was amply rewarded. At o'clock
| most of the wind dropped and an effort was
decided upon.
| NJ. Santos umont climbed into the cage
and gave the order to start. Instantly the
| huge machine rushed forward and within
| a few seconds was flying But 1t came to
| earth at the end of forty meters or so,
| though not to a standstill. The motor con-
| tinued to turn, and again the soaring move
ment commenced.
| This time all records were beaten. In
| seven and one-ffth seconds $3.50 meters
| were covered, and the enthusiasm was gen.
eral Night was now closing in and final
| attempt was agreed upon. This time 1t was
decided to proceed in the opposite direction,
| against whatever wind was blowing.
| The vast crowd formed into two long
| lanes down the center of the field. There
was a general hush as the motor began to
! turn, and then a shout of satisfaction as
II was instantly noticed that at last Ca
| dome bien" tThe Bird of Prey bounded of
like a flash, and within twenty yards was
| tearing through the air at nearly forty
klometers an hour.
l. Panic-Stricken Crowd.
Dumont steered his wonderful ship, per-
fectly balanced and steady as veritable
bird All along the line roar of triumph
those people grouped further along the
line closed in on the advancing aeronaut's
path.
NJ. Santos Dumont saw that there was
only one thing to do. He raised the head
of his machine and scared upward until he
was above the people, still travelling and
rising all the time. Then the women be-
meath took fright and commenced to scat
ter and rush hither and thither. One or
two women fell and the confusion was gen.
eral
All this tended to unnerve NJ Santos
Dumont, who hardly knew where to take
his route. He endeavored to turn sharply
to the right in order to win some clear
space but the movement was too brisk,
and fearing a heavy fall or a complete
turnover, he cut the gas and descended In
touching the ground one OF the wings was
slightly damaged and a wheel bent. He had
covered exactly 210 meters.
The scene which followed was one not
easily forgotten. The vast crowd broke
out into one united roar of cheering, and
NJ Jacques Faure, forcing his way with
ponderous strokes to where the Bird of
Prey lay. seized NJ. Santos Dumont and
bore him in triumph among the people. 1t
was with difficulty that the popular aero
naut escaped safe and sound from the
hands of his welwishers, who chung about
him. shook his hands and cheered him to
the skies.
What Dumont Says.
1t was certainly true moment of tri-
umph for the principle of heavier than
air." Those who had seen the fight had
no doubt that the problem of mechanical
fight was solved. For them few altera-
tons. a little more speed and the flying ma
chine becomes tremendous reality.
Two prizes fall into NJ. Santos-Dumont' s
hands by the performances today. Both
were offered by the Automobile Club of
France
The first is 1O0f.. to the aeronaut travel
| ing 100 meters. There is no prize for 200
meters. or naturally NJ. Santos-Duniont
would have taken that.
'T am very pleased" said the champion
of the hour to a correspondent, when he had
been liberated from his friends. but am