The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-04
BALDWIN BALLOON
TUGS AT MOORINGS
May Make Flight at Fort
Myer Between + and 7
O'clock Today.

Held TO the earth by the weight of
thousands OF pounds Of sand bags, but
tugging necessarily 10 be free the big
Baldwin dirigtble balloon today is con-
fined IN the immense tent that was
erected tor It on the Fort Myer parade
ground. Il was brought there from
the great red balloon house OF the Sig
nal Corps, where IL was Inflated last
week. and where It's wonderful lit
engine was tested.
All was In readiness this afternoon for
the Hrst flight. which. if nothing unfore-
, rs-n takes place. viii be made between
and o'clock today. Some necessary
adjustments had 10 be MADE 10 lhe
engine today, although IL was tested
Sunday, and during the early part q
this afternoon a large force Of expert
mechanics OF the Signal Corps directed
I by Glen H Curtis. were tOiling over IL
Inventor Sanguine.
Captain Baldwin and Mr.. Curtis were
/ both sanguine that all would be IN
! readiness for the flight this afternoon.
! When all is in order. the great airship
will be allowed TO sail out OF the tent
and then held there until the flight Is
/ attempted. II any part Of the snip Is
/ not exactly as the inventor wishes Il
/ to be, however the trial flight VIII be
postponed 10 tomorrow. Inis IS DeneVCu
\ TO be a remote possibility.
/ When the ship scars. Captain Bald
I win will be at the helm and Mr.. Curtis
l at the engine. No others VIII be
| aboard No extended flight Will be at
/ tempted at first Captain Baldwin said
/ this afternoon.
| ct is my intention at the first night.
/ whenever I make IL, merely 10 ascend
] a short distance and circle two CT three
I times around the drill ground, rel1rning
| soon TO earth. i intend TO make several
| &c
| real flight, on which so much depends
! have not the slightest doubt OF sue
/ cess, but propose to proceed slowly and
/ surely
Try New Planes.
Captain Baldwin and Mr.. Curtis are
| triAe apprehensive as 10 the possible
| behavior Of the two box kites. or
/ planes. which will control the ascent
! and descent. These are now modihca-
/ rions. and have not been tested in the
/ air Mr. Curtis says that the engine
/ surelU will develop the speed necessary
TO drive the dirigible al tWenty-fouT-
niIe-an-hour clip, which viii bring a
/ bonus OF 81 500 from the Government Tor
exceeding sixteen miles an hour-
/ A large crowd has visited the balloon
an day, including, among others. Gen
eraI Allen. chief signal otncer OF the
I aru1v- Major General Bell, chief Of
staff; Lieutenant Lahm, aeronaut, and
If the inventor satisfies himself that
/ the rigid requirements of the OF 1Cial test
can be met the real fight TO win the
Government prize will be attempted this
! The signal office has received a letter
! from OrviIle Wright, stating that his
! aeroplane viii arrive at Fort Myer in
| a few days. The aeroplane of A. NJ.
! Herring, which is being built in New
| York city viii arrive not later than the
18th of this month. II is probable that
aeronautical tests will be held at Fort
Myer OF the two heavier than air flying
machines and the Baldwin dirigible at
the same time this month.
Taken to Tent.
The failure TO make the trial trip last
night was due to the multitudinous de-
tails that had to be attended TO. and
when at last the framework was at
tached t. the big gray gas bag. the last
touch given the powerful little engine
that is expected TO drive the dirigible
at the rate of twenty-four miles an
hour, and the last bolt securely fastened,
it was hauled out Of the balloon shed
and up the tortuous path to the parade
The Journey was beset with difficulties.
BY mears Of ropes fastened to the
framework, the dirigible was coaxed,
pulled, and forced through winding
roads. around tall trees, over chinnneys.
tops of hSvses, and trolley. telephone,
and telegraph wires.
/ II was a tedious Job, recurring inflite
patience. and all through it Captain Bald
win followed his pride with almost pa
ternal WatChfulness, Cautioning his men
al every few steps.
| Bright and early this morning, before
Z most people had heard the merry tinkIe
of their alarm clocks, Captain Baldwin
and Glen H, Curtis, who manufactured
J the engine, had left their hotels Ia the
City and were OJ.- Ia the big tent.