The Washington times., 1908-08-09
Big Dirigible Travels Five
Miles, Under Complete
Control of Operators.
OFFICIAL ARMY TEST
SET FOR TOMORROW
Postponed Yesterday to Install I'M
provement TO Engine, in Hope
for Greater Speed.

With the cheers Of 1900 spectators
ringing in their ears, Capt Thomas F.
Baldwin and Glen H Curtiss. skipper
and first mate OF the big dirizible ball
loon, embarked on a long flight last
evening. and. sailing from the Fort
Myer parade grounds to Ballston, Va.
and return. gave an exhibition OF aero
nautics such as has been witnessed
rarely. At its conclusion such experts
as Roy Knabenshue and A. 81. Herring
declared that the Baldwin balloon sur
passes anything Of the kind ever built
in this country
Contrary 10 the announcement made
by Captain Baldwin and the War De-
partment. this fight was not made the
official speed test Three hours before
the time set for the test Mr. Curtiss
found that II would be necessary 10
put four caTburetors on the four cylin-
ders Of the engine instead OF the one
which ne has been using He left for
Hammondsport Immediately after the
test this afternoon, for the purpose OF
bringing them TO Fort Myer, and while
going through Washington 10 the Union
Station. barely escaped arrest Tor speed
Ing his automobile beyond the limit
He VIII return tomorrow morning, and
it is probable that the official speed
test VIII be held tomorrow evening.
Rise Draws Applause
The birdlike balloon shot upward and
onward, when it was released by the
Signal corps men and gracefully sailed
away toward Ballston, in a manner
that drew spontaneous applause from
the wondering spectators. In a few
moments II disappeared behind a woods.
and then. rising upward, reappeared
and sped onward.
Nothing could be more graceful than
the big airshIp as 1t Unanswered in the
air, now dropping in response TO the
wishes OF its operators, now soaring
again toward the sky, and turning at
/ the bidding Of Captain Baldwin. Right
| into the face OF a stiff breeze the big
| airship sailed, but it never faitered. pur-
I suing the course set for it Is the pow
| erful little engine sputtered spitefully,
and the big propeller whiried its way
/ through the air.
| About a mile from the parade grounds
| the balloon disappeared behind the
| trees It's course was followed by a
| Times representative In a big Thomas
/ Flyer, which was obliged at times 70
| go at a speed OF fifty miles an hour
! to keep up with the machine overhead.
| There were no COWS standing calmly in
| the path OF the airship and no pedes-
| TRANS to dodge and while the airship
| Travelled two miles and a half 70 reach
its destination. the automobile covered
nine miles Of roads
In Air Thirty Minutes.
| The flight lasted thirty minutes. but
/ much Of this time was devoted 10 the
! evolutiOns over the parade ground.
! Only lack Of a sufficient quantity OF
/ gasolene prevented them from making
a trip 70 Washington and encircling the
/ Monument, said Captain Baldwin, after
| he aIighted
The Official inspection of the dirigible
by the aeronautic board of the War De-
partment. Of which Major Squiers has
been made head following the departure
4 of Major Russell for Fort LeaYenwOrth,
Kan. was held during the afternoon.
The board went over every detail Of the
balloon. and inspected every part care
/ fully 10 see that all the specifications
had been carried cut Members OF the
board afterward declined 10 make
! statement before forwarding their re-
port TO the War Department, but inti-
mated that everything connected with
/
| consists OF Major George o. Squiers,
Capt. Charles S. Wallace. Lieut.. Frank
| p. Lahm, and Lieut. Benjamin d. Fou-
lois. ali OF the Signal Corps
Many Witnesses.
| A large delegation of army and navy
officers was present TO witness the
! flight, expecting that the speed test
would be made, and 1906 people jour
/ neyed out from Washington 70 witness
/ t. Col. Baron De Bode. the military
attache Of the Russian embassy, was
present in behalf OF his government to
witness the test, and followed the move
Iluents Of the airship with great interest.
with the aid OF powerful binoculars he
watched the flight Of the dirigible and
| expressed great enthusiasm at its per-
/ Torrance.
do you know" he said to Colonel
sduiers. II have seen many inventions
that claimed 10 be airships and that is
the best 1 ever saw"
II was reported that the German gov
eminent had cabled to a representative
TO attend the tests and report the re-
suits Immediately, but no representative
Of that nation presented credentials to
| General Allan, OF the Signal Corps, as
| did Colonel De Bode.
Many women went out to Fort Myer
III automobiles and carriages, and add
ed a touch Of color to tae scene. The
crowd was enthusiastic one. and re-
warded the splendid work OF CAPTAIN
Baldwin and Mr.. Curtiss with repeated
| cheers.
Balloon Released.
It was one minute after FIVE when
| Captain Baldwin cried: Let 'er 20.
boys" and the Signal Corps men re-
! leased their held on the framework OF
the balloon. Mr.. Curtiss had started the
motor, and when the Signal Corps men
let go. the airship sprang into the air
like a bird freed from a cage and soar
Continued on Sixth Page.)