The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1907-06-29
BIC A|RsH|P
CIRCLES OVER
CAPITOL HILL

Earl Hess, assistant to Roy Knabenshue,
sailed this morning over trees. nousetops.
fields and streams on a five-mile voyage
in the big machine from Vanity Fair TO
the state capitol.
In the vicinity OF the state house the
daring navigator OF the air circled once
over Capitol Hill high up In the sun-lit
heavens, and then, directing the big
machine TO lower plane. nearly on
level with the dome OF the states marble
palace. he made an attempt to encircle II,
but was driven back by a strong current
oG air that came sweeping upward from
the centre OF the city.
Subsequently the airship was taken back
to Vanity Fair I'm a wagon.
Mr. Hess expressed himself as we'll sat
isfied with the trip, considering the con-
ditions OF the wind, and IL was explained
that II demonstrated that the machine
was dirigible on long-distance flights by
means OF its motor and steering appa-
radus when the air currents were not too
strong To be combated
The flight was the first OF it's kind ever
attempted over this city, and thousands
along the route which the airship took
and who were astir early enough. wit
messed the performance spell-bound.
Mr.. Hess, who has made something
like 60 ascensions. and was the first to
go up I'm the airship at Vanity Fair.
talked interestingly Of his experiences
during the trip this morning, over his
breakfast at the Crown hotel
81 left Vanity Fair at about $50 a. m"
he said repeated trials having convinced
Mr.. Knabenshue that the best time in
this vicinity TO make flight was in early
morning.
"The airship started northward nearly
parallel with Narragansett bay. AMI
L..
Boyden Heights. we struck a swift and
strong cross current. that took the ship
of her course. and well inland. In order
To get out from under the Influence Of
that current, Il was necessary 10 direct
the machine upward, and / suppose we
scared, maybe 1000 feet, I'm order TO find
a plane on which the ship could be d.
rected with more ease.
From this point II was case OF con-
stantly fghting air currents, although
some distance above Boyden Heights. |
struck into sore of aerial pathway,
where progress was easier
"The ship sailed over East Providence.
apparently about 200 feet from the ground
| crossed above the river, not far from
the Red Bridge. and kept on up over the
city OF Providence.
"The ship came up behind the Capital
building. which was the objective point
OF the flight and there IL ran into a fog
bank Then I made circle I'm the vicin-
ity of the capital and then came down I'm
a place nearly even with the big dome OF
the state house. intending to circle II.
Right there was where met my Wa
terloo. however. for I ran intb such n
strong air current that I couldn't do any
thing against II. ! set the motor doing its
best, and the propeller blades fairly hum
med, but the ship stood almost stock still
and seemd TO hang there suspended I'm
mid-air. like Mahomet's coffin. neither
making headwuy nor losing ground.
AT last, seeing that I could make no
gains, tried stopping the motor and low
ering the machine little, hoping to avoid
the adverse current. In that was equal
ly unsuccessful. and the s1>ors End car
ried the airship over towards the north
east | should say mile or two.
II sailed over the roundhouse In ths
North End, and looking for a good place
to come down. sighted sand hills bacR
TO the railroad yards. l made success
full landing there"