The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1909-07-22
FAILS IN ATTEMPT TO
CROSS ENGLISH CHANNEL

Calais, July 21.-Herbert Latham, the
French aviator, after waiting ror more
than a week for a favorable opportu-
nifty to attempt a flight at crossing the
channel from Calais to Dover, mad a
start this morning. but after covering
about 16 miles. and while at a great
height, the motor failed and the ma
chine fell into the water. The French
topedo boat destroyer. Harpon, how
ever, vas close at hand and rescued
! both Latam and his ~monoplane.
Anticipating an early start, NJ.
Latham slept in a shed of the old tun-
mel works at the FOOT of the cliff. Al
the first stroke of dawn, NJ. Latham
came out of the shed. clapping his
hands with joy at the sight of the
smooth sea. The sky was overcast, but
the wind was hardly perceptible. A
few mute later a gun fired on the
Harpon, anchored off the cape, con-
frmed the daring aeroplanist's opin-
tomobile was dispatched to Calais to
apprise the authorities that a start
would be made between s and Z
o'clock.
While the monoplane was being TAX
en- out and pushed to the top Of the
cliff, a crowd assembled to witness the
start. The entire population Of the
n~eighboring villages lined the shore
below.
Latham was in high spirits as he
lSIuily IiSpSCLSu every part VI Tie
machine. and on making several trials
with the e~ight-cylinder motor found
the machine perfect. There was a wait
of an hour until the torpedo boats and
tugs, strung out in a line toward the
horizon, tool up their positions.
Finally all was in readiness and the
monoplane was pushed back 200
yards from the crest of the cliff, which
has a precipitous fall of 200 feet to
the sea.
\ = 81 n,, u,n @ N 90 -, - l,rS
suit and had donned a life preserver.
He showed no signs of nervousness as
he shook hands with his friends on
mounting the saddle. Start the no.
tor" he cried to his assistants. and
then with a nod of his head n the
words: See you in Dover" threw the
starting lever of the manchine, running
along the ground with increased mo-
mentum at every turn.
just before reaching the edge of the
cliff, the a%eronaut touched the horf-
zontal level and the machine, with it's
white outstretched wings rose grace
fully and sailed out over the shining
waters amid a oar of cheers from the
cliff and shores. The monoplane, after
leaving the cliff, assembled gradually
until it probably was 500 feet above
the sea. Their straight as an arrow,
1t continued it's flight towards the
English coast, apparently undo per-
feet control, at a rate of about IS
y tltlleS jill HIlOuT.
The black-hulled destroyer, Harpon,
kept almost under her aerial compan-
lon, and at the end of Is minute both
disappeared in the haze on the hori-
Eon.
Disappointment at Dover.
Dover, England, July 2l.-Sailing
beautifully in wide sweeping circle the
aviator appeared to have every pros
pect Of success in his hazardous I'M
dertaklng. Wireless reports had an
nounced that the machine was out Of
sight and the watchers at Dover were
warned to be on the lookout. The ma
chine never appeared, however, and as
the time passed the greatest anxiety
prevailed. Soon came the report that
the monoplane had fallen into the sea,
and the hopes Of M. Latham's friends
that he Would be the first to
the channel flight were d~issipated.
Tugs had been sent out and every
preparation made for the reception OF
The aviator. The disappointment,
therefore. was all the greater when the
the channel had met with failure. 1t
was not until 1880 that denite news
was received here of the rescue Of
M. Latham. {
A brief dispatch Their said the tor
pedo boat destroyer Harpon had re-
turned to Calais with the aeronaut
aboard. The monoplane had dropped
into the water some six miles from
the French coast, or shortly after 1t
disappeared from sight to Sangatte.
When picked up the monoplane was
still floating and Latham was sitting
calmly In his seat smoking a cigaret.
Kisses the Girls.
When the torpedo boat destroyer en-
tered the harbor at $50 O'Clock with
M. Latham aboard, the aviator re-
cefved a tremendous ovation and on
landing it was with difficulty that he
made his way through the throngs. He
Was compelled to kiss several girls,
who threw their arms about his neck.
M. Latham said the motor failed
about IL miles out, and owing to the
slowing down of the engines he was
unable to remain longer in the air. The
aviator declared his intention of again
irving to cross the channel.
The appearance of the machine. with
its tangled u ropes and displaced
shids, indicated that it was badly dam
aged. The motor. however. is intact.
MOTOR CYCLE EXPLODES.