The Washington times., 1908-08-15
Successful Speed Tests En-
courage Aviator for To-
days Flight.
BALLOON MUST STAY
TWO HOURS IN AIR
Captain Plans TO Encircle Wash
ington Monument nt-Sale to Gov
eTnment Almost Assured.

Captain Baldwin's big dirigible prac-
tically has been sold TO tie United
States.
The airship's two successful flights
/ late yesterday afternoon proved that the
great gray navigator OF the air Is all
/ that is claimed for 1t by Captain Bald
win and Glen II. Curtis. Today both
Baldwin and Curtis wear a broad smile
while they are busy around the balloon
| house at Fort Myer.
The first flight yesterday began at
! 6:32 p. m. The ship was towed out OF
/ the big tent. and was soon soaring into
! the air. 1t sailed to a point over
| Cherrydale, and returned over almost
the same course, landing like feather
at the strrting point at $50 p m The
average sbeed was lS.l miles per hour
/ During the fight the ship sailed at an
average height Of go feet above the
ground.
When the dlrisible landed the flight
/ had beer. so successful and conditions
were so favorable that Captain Bald
win decided TO attempt another voyage,
and after tuning up the marvellous lit
! tie engine the ship left the earth for
| the secono flight at 7.09 p. m. This
/ course, and the dirigible behaved even
/ better on the second trip than on the
first. The turn was made at point
! northeast Of Cherrydale. The time was
thirteen minutes, and the speed at the
| rate Of PA miles per hour.
Landed Safely.
A landing was made safely. and as
the ship was lead into the canvas shed.
a grin was on the faces Of her captain
/ and engineer.
The ship behaved perfectly on both
I flights. though several times when
strong head winds or cross currents
/ were encountered she bucked and pitch
ed like a Texas broncho.
The official Government board. head
ed by Major Squiers, were present, and
/ officially timed both flights. Members
/ Of the board were stationed over the
/ official course. Several parties follow
| ed the flights in automobiles
The army officers Of the board were
/ enthusiastic over the tests OF the di-
rieibIe. and while none OF them would
say anything for publication, 1t was
/ easy TO see that they were as pleased
IS the builder and pilot OF the ship.
Only one more test now remains 10
.
/ that is comparatively an easy task 10
fulfill This is an endurance test. and
/ the specifications require that the bal
/ loon be capable Of remaining in the
air two hours.
Has No Fear.
Why" said Captain Baldwin early
this morning. eve could remain in the
/ air for two days IL necessary. It would
/ be only a problem OF carrying enough
/ fuel for the engine TO allow us 10 keep
! Ghoat."
! Between / and O'Clock this afternoon
/ the endurance test will be made. II
conditions are favorable the course will
! embrace e flight two or three times over
the route taken yesterday. and it IS
possible the big. gray ship Will sail
/ over washington, cir cling the Washing
/ ton Monument several times, 70 show
/ just what IL is capable OF.
/ The Government conditions to be met
/ before the snip is accepted require that
/ fl shall be able 70 fly from two 10 FIVE
miles. carrying two men. and have
/ speed in the air Of sixteen miles an
hour: beside this il must remain above
/ the earth az least two hours al a time
! Except ir the latter test, the Baldwin
airship has more than met the require
ments. and there IS hardly any doubt
but that IL viii easily meet the last re
quirement this afternoon
( The Government has agteed 10 pay
SC. 80 for the ship, II accepted, with
bonus OF 10 per cent for every mile
above sixteen miles made, up to TWEEN
ty-fOur miles.
II is probable that Captain Baldwin
will receive. including the bonus earned
for exceeding the requirements, more
than $4,000 for the California Arrow.
as the ship has been c!lristened.