Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1909-10-08
WILBUR WRIGHT
: MAKES GOOD"
FLIES FROM GOVERNORS ISLAND
TO GRANTS TOMB AND
THEN BACK.
SAILS OVER THE WARSHIPS
Makes Trip of 20 Miles and Remains
in the Air SO Minutes and SO Sec
onds-Alights at Aerodrome
Without Mishap.

New York.-An aeroplane flashed
past the white dome of Grants
tomb October 4, then turning graceful
ly in mid air over the waters of the
Hudson, shot like falcon back to
Governors Island, 10 miles away. Will
bur Wright of Dayton, o., thus placed
his name in the rank with Hudson and
Fulton in one of the most spectacular
feats in the history of aeronautics.
Over the masts of war ships, from
whose decks the hoarse cheers of the
sailors were borne up to him in his
elevated seat, he flew for 20 miles-10
miles up and 10 miles back-remain-
ing in the air for 33 minutes and 33
seconds and alighting at the aerodrome
without mishap.
The flight was made under condi-
tions only moderately favorable. When
Wright reached Governors Island
shortly after o'clock the wind was
blowing about ten miles an hour, while
an overcast sky added to the uncer-
tainty of the weather. In the face of
these conditions Wright called for vol
unteers among the newspaper men as
sembled to tow his machine to the
starting rail while he superintended
the laying of the starting way in the
direction of the wind. Everything
ready, his mechanician gave the pro-
peller twist which started the motor
and amid the clatter of the machines
exhaust which sounded like musketry
| fire, Wright climbed to his seat in the
aeroplane.
With the same imperturbable de-
meanor which has characterized all
of his flights, the aviator pulled his
cap over his eyes and reached for the
starting lever. In moment the ma
chine was off. With the planes tilted
| slightly to one side, the man-bird
slowly ascended into the air, rising to
height of barely 20 feet, while it
swooped in semi-circle toward the
waters edge. Here the presence Of
many craft, all Historically footing
their whistles, caused him to ascend
further into the air before making for
the mouth of the river.
Almost indistinguishable against the
gray banked clouds, the machine soar
ed past old Castle Williams and soon
entered the canon made by the giant
skyscrapers of Manhattan Island and
the Jersey Hills. At this point the
aeroplane was flying at a height of
nearly 200 feet, but unexpected air
currents caused by the great buildings
moved the aviator to bring his craft
closer to the water. Tilting the elevat-
ing rudder, he slowly brought the ma
chine down, sloping gradually until
he was but bare hundred feet above
the footing ferry boats and the busy
river traffic. His motor was churning
as regularly as clock, and settling
himself in his seat, he sped onward
up the river. Over the warships of
four great powers he passed.
When the air vessel reached the
British cruiser Argyll, anchored an
eighth of mile above Grants tomb,
Wright brought his direction rudders
into play, and describing an easy and
graceful curve, started on his return
journey down the river. The wind
conditions which bothered him on the
journey up were now more favorable
and it was here that the speed posi-.
bilities of the machine were demon.
strated. While the ten miles UP
stream occupied nearly 20 minutes
the return flight was made in little
more than 19 minutes, or at a rate ap
proximately Of AZ miles an hour.