Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-10-05
Scars High Above Hudson, Over
Battleships, Past Grants Tomb
and, Encircling Cruiser, Re
turns Faster Than Wind.
SPECTATORS RUSH TO ~
ROOFS TO SEE HIM PASS
Mastery Of Aviator, In 20-Mle
Dash, Is Shown as Never Be
fore-outspeeds River Graft.
Sailors Cheer.
CBy Associated PresG)

NEW YORK. OCL- 4~-WAAOdF WAaSA@t~
the aeropIanist, today defied the air the
water and the land in a marvellous flight
over the numberless craft in New York
harbor and the North river. Starting nc
1856 a. m, the aviator headed into use
wind and flew over ferry boats, yachts
steamers and other craft In the harbor.
Soaring high he went up the North ris'-
err, over the fleet OF battleships and on
past Grants tomb. enctrcling the British
cruiser Argyle.
Returning at faster speed with the
wind. he came back over the water and
landed at his starting point in the most
matter-of-fact way possible, He had
been gone for 50 minutes and % seconds.
making one Of the most perilous trips
ever attempted The distance of the
flight was estimated at 20 miles.
RESPONSE WAS FINE.
THE machine responded In fine shape"
said Mr.. Wright, as he clambered through
the network OF wires Of his aeroplane.
after he landed at the aerodrome on Gov
errors island.
The motor worked fine. 1 started fly
ing ABOUT 10 ACCL dDONC zig W&NNN AN~
kept on climbing higher until was about
200 to 800 feet high. The air currents sent
up by the tunnels Of the ferry boats in
terfered somewhat and 1 came down
nearer to the water.
HEARD SAILORS CHEER.
II could hear the cheers of the sailors
on the warships," continued Mr.. Wright,
as the enthusiastic group of army Off
GERS and newspaper men that had awaited
his return with keen anticipation. graap-
ed his hands to congratulate him
THE wind was blowing about ten miles
an hour and had to head in a little to-
ward the east, instead OF pointing the ma
chine straight up the river.
This flight fulfills every condition of
my contract added the aviator, In re-
Spouse to inquiries as to further demOn4
STATIONS of his prowess in the air, but
If the favorable weather conditions con-
tinue this afternoon I may make another
flight, which can be announced by the
Hudson-Fulton aviation COMMITTEES.
will leave for Washington TO train the
army officers as soon as possible"
ROOFS ARE CROWDED.
AS the aeroplane approached the city,
flying steadily. but bucxing the wind, the
roofs of all the buildings became crowd
ed end pleasure craft started up the riv-
er in an effort to keep up with the re-
markable craft that flew above them.
They were soon compelled to give up the
chase. for Wright outstripped the fastest
of them.
AS the machine flew high above the
water craft, the little maroon-colored ca
noe. which Wright had previously at
tached to his aeroplane for use in the
event that he would be compelled to
alight on the water, was plainly visible.
AS the machine pushed into the breeze.
dipping slightly occasionally as though
caught by a downward trend of the air
and then again was lifted suddenly, ap-
parently striking a disturbing air cur
rent, the absolute mastery of the avia-
tor was strongly impressed on the spec
tators.
STARTS AT $3.50 A. II.
Wilbur Wright started his asro-
plane flight at $3.50 a. m the
rail after a run of barely 80 feet AS
the machine left the ground, the tip of the
right wing lightly touched the new-nade
ground where the starting rail is laid, and
threw up a cloud of sand. The rail was
pointed southeast
After a half circle over Governors Island
at an average height of Is feet. Wright
turned up his elevating planes and float
ed up to 40 feet. Reaching the sea wall he
found himself confronted by the big pas
senger steamer Seaberg, but he easily
mounted over the obstacle and kept on
rising until he was 100 feet above the
water AS his biplane appeared against
the sky the craft in the harbor turned
loose their whistles and the crowd on the
battery cheered.
The aviator first flew due west, then
turned north for trip up the Hudson
river. -Four minutes after the start he
had passed Fulton street, three-quarters
of a mile from Governors Island. still fly
ing about 100 feet high and in straight
line.
At 1925 Wright passed Fulton street
again, headed south on his return to Gov
errors Island. He landed at Governors
Island at 1929 a. m.
The exact distance in a straight line
from Governors island to the foot Of
West both street. which marked the
northernmost point of Wright's lights. Is
nine and a quarter miles. This would
make his fight, if it had been In a
straight line, one of IS 1-2 miles. Count
ing curves and the circles at the start,
Mr.. Wright estimates that he covered
more than 20 miles.
Glenn H. Curtiss departed today for
Mammondsport, n. Y, and his aero
plane at Governors island is being pre-
for ShivTtenf