The Washington herald., 1908-08-08


Are Confident of Meeting All Re
quirements of the Specifications.
Scoring the greatest triumph Of his
aeronautical career. Capt. Thomas Bald
win sailed from Fort Myer to Clarendon.
Va. In his mammoth dirigible yesterday
evening, and upon his return to the
parade grounds was given a thunderous
ovation by 500 enthusiastic men and
women
After being so feet in the air for sew
enteen minutes. Capt Baldwin announced
the machine had proved itself just what
he expected. and that the Official tests
would begin this evening
Ladies and gentlemen" said Capt.
Baldwin. an oId-t!me circus man. this
machine has proved everything I expected
it 10 prove, and am perfectly satisfied
with it. The preliminary tests are now
concluded I am ready for the official
tests at any time.
Cheers from the Crowd
This brought more cheers from the
threatening weather and the prevalent
opinion that the floating elephant" would
not be taken from its canvas cage by
the inventor.
After second trial OF the vessel last
ing only four minutes. Capt Baldwin off,
cislly notified Lieut. Lahm that his ma
chine was ready for the tests 70 which
the Signal Corps viii submit the dirigi-
bic. Lieut.. Lahm seemed somewhat dis
inclined 10 have Capt Baldwin make
the first test to-day. and gave many hints
and intimations that the inventor was
precipitating matters. Capt Baldwin was
50 jubilsnt over the success OF last even
ing. and 50 confident his machine would
acquit itself as creditably to-day as ever
he insisted upon making the initial speed
trial this evening
Between 3 and : O'Clock Jupiter Pluvius
permitting. Capt Baldwin and Engineer
Glenn Curtiss viii soar Up into the sap
phired dome and test the speed Of the
dirigible- The test board Of the Signal
Corps, which was created for the purpose
Of Judging the merits Of air-sailing yes
sells submitted 20 the War Department
is composed OF MAJ squires. Maj. Rus
&
Lieut.. FoUlois. Lieut.. Lahm informed
Capt Baldwin last night that the mem
bers Of the board would be ready for the
test between the specified hours
The third flight % Capt Bsldwins II
fated dill pickle was not only the most
successful from standpoint OF time
spent in the air and altitude reached.
but the speed attained and distance trav-
eled was Ear greater than that % the other
two trials combined The ascension was
made with more dispatch and less ner-
vousness than the preceding two fights.
and Capt. Baldwin and his engilter dart
ed into the higher atmosphere almost be
fore the spectators realized IL
Hard work on the Motor.
After working all day on the motor
which resulted in the postponement OF
the flight on Thursday, Mr. Curtiss In
formed Capt Baldwin az s o'clock that
all was IN readiness for the third trial
spin The balance was tested. and found
70 be true. At 6-l3 o'clock the huge silk
envelope was tovyed from the tent 70 the
parade field There the balance was again
tried. and found TO be proper.
A. So o'clock Engineer Curtiss started
the giant propeller revolving. Capt Bald
win shouted let -er GO and the dirfzi-
bic SCARED slyward- Circling over the
parade ground several times 20 demon
strate the dirigibility Of the so-foot gas
bag. Capt Baldwin suddenly steered the
nose Of the machine due west. and passed
over the tracks OF the Washington and
Fails Church car line. When about so
yards west Of the tracks. Capt Baldwin
changed his course due north The gi-
gantic balloon remained absolutely level
in nidair. with the red fag OF the Aero
Club Of New York fapping on one side.
the Stars and Stripes floating behind, and
a e0o-foot drag rope falling below, clear
ing the ground BY so feet
Faster and faster the machine Travelled
toward the sinking sun. and 5o1 pairs OF
eyes were strained and shielded 70 get
ball Of Ere on the peaks OF the western
hills
Capt Balvin steered on a direct line
toward Clarendon. a distance Of one mile
and a quarter. Passing over the village.
Capt. Baldwin cheered and waved his
hand at the scores Of men. women, and
children who ran out IN the roads 10 see
the sailing vessel. which scared higher
and higher. with the engine spuJtering
louder and faster at every revolution of
the propeller. At $50 o'clock. eiSht min
utes after he started from Fort Nyer.
Capt Baldwin turned his machine around
and started back toward the parade
ground.
shouted to the Engineer.
He shouted TO Engineer Curtiss to speed
up. and the speed was increased from
twelve to eighteen miles Three minutes