The San Francisco call., 1909-07-26

the word came that Bieriot had reached
England a mighty cheer was sent up.
The news of his triumph spread
quickly and celebrations were held
everywhere. In spite of his injured
leg, Bleriot stole a march on his rivals.
Latham and count de Lambert. The for
mer, deceived by the high winds of the
day before, thought a start would be
impossible, while count de Lambert had
gone to England to pick out likely
place TO land. 1t was decided that the
torpedo boats should be at the DISPOSE
tion of Latham and the destroyer at
the disposal of Bleriot, should the men
decide to start
At 3 o'clock Bleriot, who was deter
mined not to allow the slightest chance
to escape, proceeded to the shed at
Sangatte. and his monoplane was
pushed out To the handful of people
who had gathered there, the spectacle
of this man. hobbling on erutches,
dreaming of a flight to England, had
something awe inspiring, even terrify-
ing. in it. Bleriot cast aside his
crutches and took his place in the
mbnoplane on which he had already
hoisted a red flag to guide the rescuers
in case he should fall.
The monoplane rose easily and made
two circles above the land Shortly
Bleriot descended. His motor was run
ming perfectly and he had confirmed
the fact that he had a favoring south
southwest breeze.
The critical moment was at hand.
Anzania, the constructor. set the motor
in motion. Bleriot settled himself
calmly in his seat waving farewell
and at 4:S6 the aeroplane rose and sped
seaward.
Fourteen minutes later. flying high
above the water it was lost in the
mists hanging over the channel
The destroyer, which had been
warned to prepare, steamed swiftly in
pursuit, but the flying man was faster
and soon left it far behind.
Bleriot is one of the oldest and most
popular of aviators in France, and is
the winner of the Osierfs prize of 500
600, in conjunction with Gabriel Voisin,
the aeroplane manufacturer, for their
contributions to the progress Of avia-
tion. He had been decorated with the
medal of the Legion of Honor yester-
day. He is the inventor of a search
light for automobiles and became inter-
ested in aviation in 1900.
Throughout his career Bleriot has
displayed such reckless daring that his
friends predicted he would be killed
He has had numerous accidents and
broken a dozen machines, but has never
been dismayed by misfortune. He made
his first cross country flight from Tours
to Arthenay, made a night of an hour
at Doue and on July 13 made a new
record for cross country from Etampes
to Orleans.
After Latham failed in his attempt
to cross the channel Bleriot hurried
to Calais to try his luck, announcing
subsequently that he intended to make
a cross country flight of 100 kilometers
t62 miles) from Evereux to Orleans
without stop.
Nj. Bleriot is exceedingly cool, and
has always maintained that man who
kept his head could not be seriously
injured.
In case of accident he has said.
Il throw myself on one of the wings
that breaks the wing, but it saves me-
NJ. Bleriot returned this evening from
Dover aboard the destroyer. He was
met by cheering crowd and was ac-
claimed enthusiastically.
II am radiantly happy at my sue
cess I am happy also because / have
received the decoration of the Legion
of Honor"
Latham who was a disappointed
spectator of Bleriot's departure, later
brought his aeroplane, but the increas-
ing wind and a faulty motor prevented
his making a flight.