Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1909-08-20
AppLAUOED BY EXCITED THOUSASOS
Dramatic Incident Feature OF Ir'a'
FLIGHTS Preliminary to international
Aerorautlc Contests-Ameriean Dis
cards Cane as He Mounts Aero
plane.
(By Associated Press).

RHEIMS, Aug 19.-Ihe AHlerlcdh
aviator. Glenn II Curtiss, at shutdown
today added a dramatic feature 10 the
trial flights of the aeroplanes entered
for the contests of aviation week, ny
skillfully guiding his machince above
another aeroplane and averting COL
lision in the air that seemed immi-
nent-
The feat was accomplished when,
for the first time in history, three
heavier than air craft were ma
neouyering at the same time. All
were flying rapidly when suddenly
Curtiss saw NJ. Dumanset in an An
tainette mcnoplane, approaching AT
right angles and on the same lever
with him. AS quick as a flash Cur
tiss realized the danger and, elevat-
ing his planes. his machine instantly
shot upward and scared safely over
the Frenchman. The thousands OF
spectators, who lined the aerodrome,
watched the Vancouver with bated
breath. but when they saw it sue
cessfully and brilliantly carried out,
they applauded the American wildly
The third machine in the air at this
time was that of NJ. Tissandier.
The wind, which had been master
Of the aeroplanes for two days, sud
denly died out at shutdown, and the
aviators ru he'd to the sheds and drag
ge out their machines.
Wright Machines in Evidence.
Count De Lambert, on a Wright
model, was the first of the aviators
to start and made complete circuit
of aerodrome. NJ. Tissandier, also on
a Wright hiplane. followed him.
Then the Curtiss machine. looking
smaller and more compact than the
others, was placed in position for
flight Curtiss still was limping ana
used in walking, a gnarled stick. but,
like VI Bleriot. who before crossing
the English Channel in his monoplane,
threw aside his crutch, Curtiss mount
ed the seat of his biplane unencum-
bered.
Where will you ,and?" he was ask
ed.
Right here" answered Curtiss,
ter a short run over the ground the
aeropIane assembled and made a wide
turn and then described evolutions
back and forth over the aerodromc
Meantime VI Dumanset had started
across the field in one Of the Antoi-
nette machines.
American Quick Thinker.
Suddenly it appeared to the crowd
below that collision between him
and Curtiss was inevitable. but the
American proved a quick thinker ana
gracefully swerved has aeroplane up
wsrd and steered It safely over that
Dumanset.
Curtiss. true to his word, landed
without accident at his place of start
ing. after being in the air four min
uses. The altitude reached BY him
was $50 feet. 80 feet higher than any
Of the others.
Count TIE Lambert and " Tissan-
der. each made flights Of twelve min
utes during the evening and Hubert
Latham took a few short spins about
the course and was given an ovation
BY the spectators. VI. Bleriot came
out on the field with his nonoplane.
but darkness prevented his making
fight.
Mr. Curtiss tonight joined the other
experts in a statement 10 che effect
that aviation is a fine weather sport.
but that people must net expect flights
TO be made in all SORTS Of weather.
Personally. Mr.. Curiiss SAID. he did
not intend to take any risks. He has
decided not to enter the passenger
Carrying test. as he has no hope OF
defeating Bleriot In H. He intends.
instead. 70 devote himself 10 the speed
contests.