Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-08-30
Curtiss Wins
Bennett Trophy.

White and a great number of enthusi-
astic Americans as well as Frenchmen.
Glenn H. Curtiss of Hammondsport
N. Y, in his racing biplane Saturday
won the International Cup of Aviation
in the fastest aerial journey of 20 kilo-
meters Q2.42 miles) ever accomplished
by a human being. His rate of speed
was 47.65 miles an hour. The cup is
valued at $500. 1t will go to the Aero
Club of America, and Curtiss gets a
cash prize of $4,000.
Flying faster than the eagle or the
seagull he circled the aerodrome course
twice and covered the full distance in
Is minute and so 3-5 seconds. Bleriot,
the channel crosser, was next swiftest,
in Is minutes and Sc 1-5 seconds. Lath-
am did it in II minutes and 80 seconds.
Lebre in a Wright biplane similar to
that of Curtiss, made the distance in
20 minutes ard Al 3-5 seconds. Curtiss'
trial lap was made in Z minutes and
IS Is seconds, lowering the worlds
record up to that time by nine seconds.
In the race he covered the first lap
1921 miles) in minutes and 81 2-5 Sec
Onds, and the second lap in minutes
and SO is seconds. This broke his trial
lap record. Blerot's first lap was two
fifths seconds slower than Curtiss.
Cockburn, an Englishman. ran into a
haystack in ascending. That ended his
trial
When the American Flag was run up
on the timekeepers' stand in front of
the tribunes to signify Curtiss' victory,
the bands played the Star Spangled
Banner" A great cheer broke from the
assembled thousands. The Americans
present gave a mighty hurrah.
1T was bully" said Quentin Roose-
welt to Curtiss, when the latter had
oecn rather dragged then escorted
rom his shed to Ambassador Whites
box by several hundred of his fellow
countrymen.
Il came TO see you win, and you have
lone. It," was the ambassadors first
words. grasping Curtiss by the hand.
The ambassador then told how proud
he was, congratulated Curtiss in the
name of the United States and then
resented Mrs. White and Mrs. Roose-
Felt, Ethel Quentin and Archie, as
well as the other members of the par
y. Mrs. Roosevelt said she was sorry
Mr.. Roosevelt was not there to witness
Curtiss win the blue ribbon of the air.
The entire party then visited Curtiss
in the shed. He got in the seat of the
victorious biplane and explained it's
workings.
Curtiss came to his decision to make
trial round suddenly. At eleven
minutes past ten, surrounded by a
'roup of Americans, including Cort-
picho
american Aero Club; Commander F.
Z. Chaplin, the, American Naval At
ache at Paris. and r. Bentley Mott,
he Military Attache, the machine was
un out onto the field. Curtiss made
10 preparations for his flight other
nan to change his coat for a leather
acket. With no trace of excitement.
lie climbed into the seat and gave the
rider to start the propellers. Running
llong the ground short distance for
flying start the machine lifted light
y and circled between. the timekeep-
RS and the tribunes. Then, mounting
;radUally until he had reached
lelght of As feet, Curtiss crossed the
inc at a terrific pace .
Explanations of admiration arose
rom all sides of the aerodromes as
he small, compact machine sped away
traight as Ian arrow. Clipping the
orners closely. Curtiss kept at a uni
orn height until he had passed the
asst pylOn. He then descended sharp
y To get the benefit of gravity, and
crossed the finish line less than a doz-
n feet above the ground. Announc.
ng he would start Immediately for
he International, his gasoline tank
vas refilled.
He got away in fine style. rising to
greater height than on the trial, in
rider to escape the "boiling air" near
he ground. The machine scared be-
ore every turn, and swept around the
corners on the down grade Cur
ISIS first round was slower by is
jeconds than his trial, but on the last
round he let out his motor to it's full
'peed and came home like a streak.
lie shot down from height of 100
'eet, at which altitude he rounded the
asst pylon to the finish line. He cross
ID in impressive style.
Il think I have given my rivals
'omething to worry about" said Cur
ISIS when he stepped from his machine
'S''Ni ipiu5 HIS NlCtOIiouS Trip, he
said:
''It was the toughest Journey / ever
made. In front of the tribunes 1 was
Going steady. but when I got to the
hack-stretch 1 experienced a most re-
narkable atmospheric condition. There
vas no wind. but the air seemed fair.
Y to boil MY machine pitched, and
over the graveyard I was almost
thrown out of my seat. The machine
once or twice seemed literally to drop
from under me. Under ordinary con-
ltlons this curious state of the air
would have prevented my starting,
nut after the splendid time l made
in my trial, and considering the cir
Humstances, / could not refrain. AS a
matter of fact, my experience con-
firms my theory that my machine is
faster in turbulent air than in dead
aim
Curtiss' competitors showed plainly
heir astonishment at his performance,
nd they hastily completed their prep
lrations to compete with him. Bleriot
made trial with his big machine. but