The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-07-26
BIsriOt, the Aviator, Wins Prize of S5OOO and Applause
 of All Nations
FEAT IS ACCOMPLISHED
 WITHOUT SINGLE MISHAP
Monoplane Used By BIeriot Is One of Smallest Made and Travels Nearly 60 Miles an Hour on the
 Journey.

Dover, Eng July 25.-This sleepy seaport town experienced the keenest thrill Known in generation when at sunrise this morning a white winged plrd-like machine with loudly hum- ming motor swept out from the haze ooscurinE the toward the distant French coast and circlinE twice above the high chalky cliffs of Dover, aliehted on English soil. A calm Frenchman. Louis Blerlot portly and red mus tached man of 37, descended from the saddle limping on bandaged foot which had been burned on his previous overland flight Immediately two com patriots, who had been waivinR A big trl-color flag as signal for the land ing place, fell upon him enthusiastical- lS embracing him, shouting and pounding him on the back. They. with few soldiers and others who happened by chance to be on the scene were the only persons to witness the finish of a most remarkable feat.
 Bleriot left Les Basiques, three miles from Calais. about 4:30 d. m. on one of the smallest monopanes ever used. He crossed the channel in a little less tn an half an hour twice swiftly as the fastest mail boat. His speed averaged more than AZ miles an hour, sometimes 1t approached 60 miles. He kept about 250 feet above the sea level and for 10 minutes. while about mid-channel, | Nf eli of ] French torpedo boat destroyer which followed him with his wife and friends aboard. The wind was blowing ab out 20 miles an hour and the sea was choppy. The aviator was swathed in & single garment of drilling impervious to the wind which covered him from the top of his head to his feet, only his face showing. He wore also a cork life belt
 Landing Described.
 An eye witness of the landing thus described 1t:
 Very early in the morning a wire less message was received from Calais that Bleriot intended to make the flight. Then in quick succession came the news that he had left land, that he was flying high and was fast mak- ing Dover It was expected that he would land west of Dover, but from, the direction taken 1t was soon evident that he would alght to the eastward. Only few minutes after the wireless message announcing the start. the 1aconic message Out of sight, was re- ceived at Dover. Hardly had this been transcribed when the keen eyed coast guard scanning the sea with his tele- scope shouted that Bleriot was within sight.
 Hastening to the cliff east of the bay 1 was fortunate enough to arrive just moment before the airship, which was flying fast like giant hawk. The craft approached the cliff. growing larger every Instant. The noise of tho engines was audible in a moment. so swiftly did 1t come. Bleriot swooped over head, glancing from right to left. and then turned his machine to the east and came to the ground In the meadow. It circled with consummate ease and made the landing gracefully. but even though 1t touched the land lightly, 1t was slightly damaged"
 By his achievement today Bleriot won the prize of $500O offered by the London Daily Mail for the first flight across the English channel and stole a march on his rivals. Hubert Latham and Count de Lambert. both of whom had hoped to make the attempt today.
 BIeriot's Experience.
 Bleriot. who speaks little English, de- scribed his remarkable flight very mod estly.
 q arose at oclock'' he said ..and went to the aeroplane shed Finding everything in order on the trial spin, I de- olded to make the flight. The French tor pedo boat destroyer which was in attend anoe was signalled, and it put out about four miles. Then I rose in the air and pointed directly to Dover After 10 min utes l was out of sight of land and had left the warship well behind. For a few minutes could not either coast nor any boat. l tried to keep at an average height of 260 feet. I might easily have gone higher, but it would have served no purpose. This was about the right height. thought, to clear the Dover cliffs safely
 The machine dipped toward the water several times. l put on more petrol once estimated that the propellers were going from 12oo to 14oo revolutions a minutes.
 Shaken on Landing.
 The first objects I saw were ships off the English coast then l observed Deal and I discovered that the wind which was southwest was carrying me thither. I veered to the southward of Dover castle and then saw friends fiourishing a flag in valley suitable for landing. I made two circles while lessening the speed and then dived down, but I came in contact with the ground sooner than I expected. Both the machine and myself were badly shaken up.
 "A few persons quickly assembled. and I was helped out as my injured foot was painful. I am exceedingly glad to be here"
 M Bleriots friends took him quickly in