Los Angeles herald., 1909-08-01
v...GHT'S SPEED
CAUSES SURPRISE
AEROPLANE MAKES NEARLY so
MILES AN HOUR
OFFICERS SEE AVAILABILITY OF
CRAFT FOR WARFARE
Brothers viii Receive $4,000 for Ma
chine from Government, $4,000
for Exceeding Required
SWlftness

WASHINGTON, July 81. - Orville
Wright Travelled 47.431 miles an hour
in his flight yesterday in returning
from the Alexandria end of the course
to Fort Myer. This is the official re-
port made by the trial board at the
war department today.
His speed to Alexandria from the
Fort Myer end of the course was 37.735
miles an hour, making his average
1888
100000 for their aeroplane, $4,000 of
which is the bonus for exceeding speed
over the contract requirements.
A. M. Herring, the Hammondsport,
n. Y, inventor, who is under contract
to furnish an aeroplane to the govern
ment, has written to Gen. James AL
len, chief signal officer, that he will
not be able to deliver the machine
until September l. His contract eX-
pired today The signal officers are
opposed to any further extension of
time to Mr.. Herring, and unless some
good reason is advanced for changing
their present attitude will so inform
him.
Everything is satisfactory" said
Gen. Allen, land the Wright aeroplane
will be accepted by the government"
For Use in Warfare
Orville Wrights great flight last
L
lers over the ten-mile course from Fort
Myer to Alexandria and return at a
speed of more than forty-two miles
an hour has made a deep impression
on the army and navy officials. They
contend the accomplishment of the
cross country fight demonstrates the
availability of the aeroplane for use in
warfare. Although they were there
for the purpose of timing the aero
plane as it crossed and recrossed the
line the officers stationed at Shutters
hill, the southern end of the course,
were taken by surprise when the aero
plane was discovered flying in their
direction.
The manner in which the flying ma
chine was lost to view from Fort Myer
and then the rapidity with which it
returned there after it was sighted
above the crest of hill was merely
another hint of the possibilities of the
practical use of the aeroplane by the
army and navy.
"The great advantage of an aero
plane over balloon for use in war
fare is that it can fly low over a
rough country" said wilbur Wright
today, thus having objects on the
ground in plain view. Orville demon
strated that yesterday. The small eX-
posed surface of the aeroplane would
have made him practically safe from
tn6 Hfe OF an enemy.
Greater Speed Possible
Orville Wright was inclined today to
minimize the magnitude of his per-
formance He was chiefly concerned
with what he might have done had he
not miscalculated the elevation at
which he had to round the stake bal
loon at the Alexandria end of the
course.
Il feel sure" said he that had l
continued at the same height at which
l crossed the halfway hill or continued
climbing instead of gradually descend
ing / would have gained at least two
miles an hour i'm my speed average. [
turned Shutters hill too close to the
ground, and this compelled me to
climb again in order to clear the higher
ridge between Alexandria and Fort
Myer This used up power which
might better have been used for pro-
pulsion."
Mr. Wright was asked to estimate
what had been the greatest altitude
attained during the fight and replied
that over the hill at Four-Mile Run
no had sailed at a height of 45O or 800
feet.
,soth brothers will go to Dayton for
a short stay, after which Orville will
go to Europe to take up the work
begun there by his brother Wilbur
Wright win change places with him
and remain in this country to teach
the army officers detailed as members
of the aeroplane corps the handling OF
the Wright machine.