The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1908-08-08
TWO GOOD
FLIGHTS
FRENCH AERoPLANE MAKES 9Uc-
cEssFuL TRIAL TRIPS IN
NEW YORK.
Under Perfect Control, Machine Trav-
eIs Through Air at Express Train
speed, Covering Total Distance Of
1,1o0 Yards Ovation for Inventor.


1,foo Yards Ovation for Inventor.
i New, York, Aug. 1.-Rising from the
ground like giant bird and darling
through the air at express train speed,
Henri Farman's aeroplane or heavier
than-air flying machine, brought here
from France, made its initial flight
in this country late yesterday after
noon at Brighton Beach. 1t rose from
an especially prepared dock" at the
will of the inventor and after attain
ing a height Of twenty-five feet, flew
straight ahead on a direct line. finally
alighting with exquisite grace when
the air pilot diminished the motive
power.
During the brief space of time in
which the aeroplane was skimming
over the center field of the racetrack
the few hundred spectators, most Of
whom were friends of the inventor or
rival navigators, watched the flight
with breathless interest. The landing
provoked cheers as vociferous as
those of a racetrack crowd. Farman
was surrounded and literally Rugged
by the jubilant aeronauts. Members
of the Aero Club of America, under
whose auspices Farman will conduct
his public flights at Brighton Beach,
wanted to carry the successful invent
or off the field on their shoulders
There were skeptics in the crowd
who would not believe until they saw,
and they watched the tuning up" of
the aeroplane in doubling silence.
Makes Two Flights.
Farman's mechanics rushed about
getting the queer shaped ship ready
for the. flight, and when wires had
been made taut and the motor tested,
the ship was carried to the plank rum
way, near the field stand.
Newspaper photographers crowded
around the aeroplane to get pictures
of the machine as it was about to
make its first flight in America. Far
man then decided to again test the
motor before flying. He instructed
his French mechanics in their native
tongue to hold fast to the aeroplane
while he turned on the power. In
stantly the propeller began to revolve
at the rate of 1,400 revolutions to the
minute and breeze suggestive of
small cyclone was created. The pho
tographers were knocked to the ground
until the power was turned off. So
great was the violence of the breeze
that several willow trees were bent.
doubt. Farman laughingly said he
guessed the machinery was working
all right.
Then, when the chowd had been
waved back, he gave the order to "let
go, let ,go!" and away sped the aero
plane over the plank roadway. It ran
swiftly along on its wheels for 240
yards and then. Farman turned lever
which sent 1t into the air like magic
and away it flew. The propeller made
a whirring noise as it turned 800 times
to the minute. Only $50 yards were
covered in the air in this flight, but
few minutes later Farman made an
other try and travelled 760 yards in
the air. He could have gone much
farther, he said, but feared striking
a pile of lumber.
Exhibitions Begin Today.
These flights are preliminary to Far
mans public flight which will begin
today. He will give fifteen exhibit
tons at the racetrack, and 1t Is prob
able that he will appear in other parts
of the country, as many aeronautic
clubs are trying to induce him to visit
other cities.
AS rival attraction to Farman yes
terday Frank Hamilton, an American
aeronaut, sailed his dirigible balloon
into the racecourse while Farman was
preparing to make his flights. Ham
ilton's balloon scared over the track
grandstand and circled the field.
When it was coming back blade OF
the propeller broke and the balloon
was banged up against the grand
stand, throwing Hamilton out. Far
man was the first person to go to his
assistance, and he shook his rival
aeronaut warmly by the hand when
he learned that he had not been In
jured. Hamilton secured q new pro-
pellor and sailed away.
BRYAN IS BUSY AT
WORK ON SPEECH