The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1908-08-14
Aeronaut Abandons Test Be
cause of Gale Encounter
ed Above Earth.
MAY TRY AGAIN
THIS AFTERNOON
Decides in Future to Hold Trials in
the Early Morning
on Officers.

Captain Baldwin attempted to make
an official flight in his dirigible balloon
at Fort AIyer this morning, but owing
10 a combination Of adverse cirCum-
stances, he was prevented from doing
so. If weather conditions are favorable
he will go up between and O'Clock
this afternoon.
Captain Baldwin Glen II, Curtiss. his
engineer his mechanical crew. and the
Signal Corps were on hand at an early
hour. ready 10 send the dirigiDle away
for a test. The officers OF the board
who are supervising the tests for the
Government, however. had been nOti-
ned BY the aviator that he would not
start until o'clock, and they did not
swing on 70 the parade ground in their
automobiles until that hour.
In tho meantime the wind. which was
insignificant at z o'clock. began to
freshen. and before the timers and sig
nal men could be placed a fresh breeze
sprang up.
Out of Balance.
At the last moment it was discovered
that the alrship was not properly bal
auced. and an attempt was made to
hurriedly correct matters by readjust-
ing the sand bags, which were hang
ing TO the framework Of the car Cap
tain Baldwin. however, was anxious
10 get away before there was any fur
Their increase in the velocity Of the
wind. and while the forward part OF
the machine was stil a trihe heavy,
he gave the word to carry the dirigible
out of the balloon tent.
A few moments afJerward the motor
!.
for the upward fight, and the car was
given final shove. 1t mounted sky
ward rapidly and without apparent
difficulty, Captain Baldwin. at the
rudder ropes, headed for the imagi-
nary line which marks the start of the
official course. and almost Immediately
It was observed that there was trouble
ahead.
Observations made at the officers
tent showed that the wind was blow
ing between four and four and one
half miles an hour. This. together
with the poor balance Of the car, sent
the dirigible pluuging about like a ship
rolling helplessly IN a ground swell.
At times the gray blunt nose of the
gas bag pointed earthward at an
alarming angle. and Captain Baldwin
was compelled TO grasp the sides Of
his wooden cage 10 maintain his bal
ance. To the uninitiated below 1t
looked as though the two men were IN
imminent danger of being dashed "a
the ground Mr.. Curtiss kept his mo-
tor going, and the plunging balloon
was describing semi-circle.
Throws Out Rope.
The two men could be heard by the
handful OF spectators below discussing
the ACCESSIBILITY Of attempting to con
tinue the trip. Finally Captain Bald
win grasped his drag rope and threw
1t overheard a signal to the official
board that the trial had been tenn
porarily abandoned and to his men
below that he wanted to be pulled Ia
eartn.
When the dirigibIe had been carried
back into the balloon tent Captain
Baldwin said.
THE wind was too strong for us.
do no. mean 10 say that we could not
have sailed gainst IL, but il is natural
that on an official test we should desire
to take advantage Of the most favor
able conditions in order that good speed
may he made. The air currents above
We're very much stronger than those
below. IT we had started on the course
the board undoubtedly would have
counted IL as a test. so we descended
IF the wind mOdeTaJes sufficiently this
afternoon Baldwin will attempt another
official flight between 3 and Z O'Clock
Whether he goes up again TODAY or moi
there VIII be change in his plans 70,
tomorrow Baldwin has discovered that
she early morning hours are the most
favorable for his tests, and he will ac.
CCrdlngly make a flight early tomorrow
morning. As il viii bo an official flight
the army officers nave 10 drag them,
selves ont OF bed at 40 o'clock or .
IN order to be on the ground at
O'Clock, at which time Captain Baldwin
desires tc fly.