Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-08-13

Rolling and Wallowing like rudderleSS
ship al sea. the Baldwin dirigible drifted
over her course yesterday. taking over
tEree-quarters of an hour to cover the
fivc-mile course.
1T was all on account of what was a
small accident, and it goes to show what
d little thing can lead to bad results in
sky sailing.
There were only three cylinders of the
engine in commission at any one. time.
On the return trip made after the ship
had landed i'm a cornfield. there were only
two cylinders doing duty.
But Capt Baldwin said it was only the
fortune of war and there would be
another trial made this afternoon.
The largest crowd was out TO see the
flight that has yet assembled. Handi-
capped by five or six mile breeze,
although other conditions were all favor
able. the balloon made its start for the
line where the >of11cial timers were sta
toned at fine clip that promised to land
her we'll above the speed limit. But it
was a flash in the pan.
Just at the moment the ship was over
the starters she began to yaw and be-
have strangely. She lost steerage way.
and turning side on began to drift with
the wind.
Nobody in the big crowd on the ground
knew what was the matter. But when the
balloon began to point up into the CLOUDS
and then down to the ground, and perform
strange evolutions it was seen something
was radically wrong.
Strange Antics of Balloon.
The airship pitched like broncho. After
she had gone a mile she began to stand
first on one end and then on the other
Finally she disappeared over the trees.
Then there was a long wait and much
speculation as to what had happened
Long amer she ought to have been home
the dirigible reappeared over the tops or
the trees toward Clarendon. still acting
as strangely as ever.
Signal CORPS officers. not having any
aerial broncho busters among their num-
her, shook their heads and decided that
steering balloons was not all it might De.
Their the ship was seen to throw out her
drag rope and settle down in distant
field For nearly half an hour there was
no news of her. All sorts of speculations
found credence. A bad accident was the
explanation of the disappearance gener-
ally chosen.
Finally, when most of the crowd had
gone home, the airship reappeared in the
air. and under her own power again, but
coming slowly. Capt. Baldwin brought
her over the drill ground and made an
easy landing. Then it was explained how
il all happened.
1t was just the result of carclessly fas-
tening a little piece of wire that con-
nected the batteries with the motor. 1t
was the only connection. Mr.. Curtiss said
he had not made himself. A few seconds
after starting it Jared loose. One cylin-
der of the engine Immediately went out of
commission. Then commenced the spec
tacular performances i'm midair.
The standing on end of the balloon was
due to Mr.. Curtiss laying almost fiat on
md hov
of string that he wanted from the gasoline
holder. The repairs to the little secondary
wire had hardly been made before the
main sparkling wire went.
OF course there was no speed to be made
while patching up the machine in midair.
Curtiss had to let go his elevating planes
to attend to the repairs OF the engine
Capt. Baldwin was, of course, powerless
to aid him.
tankerOuS invention of man except a foun-
tan pen. Repairing one GOO feet in the
air is job not many would like TO at
tempt.
Better Luck Hoped For.
AS soon as the ship had returned to the
balloon tent it was easy to see that the
failure of the flight was no fault of hers.
The thing for the aeronauts to do was to
grin and bear it and promise themselves
better luck next time.
There was a distinguished party to see
the fight yesterday. The official board
consisting of Gen. Allen. the chief signal
Officey; Maj. Squires, Capt Wallace.
Lieut.. I.ahm and Lieut.. Foulois. was on
hand. Maj. Mozely of the British army
had been sent down especially from King
ston. Canada, as an observer There
were also Col. Baron de Bode of the Rus
sian embassy. Maj. Fortune M. Vivala
of the Mexican embassy. Lieuts. Selfridge
Walter Wellman. who has been going TO
start for the north pole in dirigible for
several years: DR.. Albert Zahm of the
Catholic University. Augustus Post of the
Aero Club and a number of ladies'. wives
of army officers. and society people.
Mai. Mozely of the British war Office
was an interested spectator. He eX-
planned he did not come as an expert,
not being himself an aeronaut but the
war office was interested i'm the dOings at
Fort Myer and demanded as full a report
of il As possible.
He said he had not been closely in
touch with the balloon developments in
the British army. though he knew they
and thought the sister ship to the Multi
Secundus was about ready for her trial
trip.
All aeroplane experiments he knows of
said Maj. Mozely. in Great Britain have
| been conducted by army officers at the1l
| own expense and in their private capac-
| ity. He was not certain just what had
| been accomplished yet, but thought the
government would take up this branch OF
| the work next.
Test Is Ruled Official.
| The board of signal officers appointed
| by Brig. Gen. James Allen, chief sigma
| officer to conduct the airship tests a
Fort Myer and to determine whether the
dirgible balloon and the two aeroplane:
contracted for the government fulfill con
trac: requirements, met today TO &C
upon the first speed trial made by Capt
| Ba wins airship yesterday.
| Yesterdays flight will be counted a s one
of the three speed trials which Capt
| Baldwin is allowed by the terms of his
| contract with the government, although
| the board declared that the condition un
der which the trial was made gave nc
opportunity for making speed.
| Yesterdays flight was made over
| course which was at right angle with
the direction of the wind which was
from the south.
| 1t was brought out at this meeting that
S-it .~~s..