Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-08-18
MoissANr SURPRISES ALL.

Deal. Eng, Aug. lit has been re-
SerVed for an American citizen to per-
form one Of the most daring feats in
tie history of aviation. John B. Mois-
SAINT Of Chicago today flew across the
English channel from Calais to TIL
ndanstone, with passenger, and by
this achievement far surpassed the
feats Of BIeriot, DeLesseps and the
unfortunate English aviator, Rolls, who
liter met his death at Bournenouth.
The two-man. flight from France to
England was the more astonishing as
ii was only month ago that Mols-
SAINT learned to fly, and he made so
few flights and was SO little known
among air men that even his national1-
ty was not disclosed. He was reputed
to be a Spaniard and only when he
landed in England today was it reveal
ed that he was a young architect from
Chicago.
To make the feat more surprising,
M0issant was totally ignorant of the
geography of his course. He had never
been in England and was obliged to
rely entirely on the compass, while the
crossing of the channel was accom-
plished in the teeth of strong wester-
ly wind &
The channel flight was an incident
in the aerial voyage from Paris to
london. Moissant left Issy yesterday
in company with Herbert Latham. and
reached Amiens in two hours. Lath-
ans aeroplanes was wrecked. and this
morning, Moissant, leaving Amiens at
an early hour, headed for Calais. His
mechanician, Albert Fileux. who had
accompanied him across the country,
took his place in the machine, when
the motor was set in motion for the
dash across the channel. Thousands
who had gathered to watch the daring
aviator, were amazed, and urged him
not to make the attempt in the face
Of the half gale that was blowing.
Moissant cared nothing for the warn
fngs of the people, and even the tact
that there was no torpedo boat to fol-
low in his wake, but only slow-mov-
ing tug, did not deter him. He made
the trip in 81 minutes. When he de-
seconded his eyes were bloodshot and
greatly infiamed, as a result of the
heavy rain storm into which they
drove on approaching the English
coast The high wind beat the rain in
TO the faces of the men like hail, and
almost blinded them.
An average height of between 500 and
400 feet was maintained over the wa
ter The aviator expected to land al
Dover. but was forced by the WIND
few miles north, and made the coas'
near Deal The cold was intense, ant
botll Moissant and his mechaniciar
were benun1bed. Moissant seemed tt
take his monumental feat as though II
was daily occurrence. When he re-
yiyed sufficiently he laughed and SAID
70 an interviewer This is my first
visit to England"
Describing his experiences. he said
This is only my sixth flight in Ar
aeroplane. l did not Know the way
from Paris to Calais when 1 started
and 7 do not know the way to London
I shall have to rely on the compass.
would like to land in Hyde Park If
can find it.
MY machanician, who weighs Is.
pounds. had never been In an aero
plane before and did not know where
was taking him when we left Paris
The people tried TO. dissuade me from
making the flight from Calais In the
strong gusty wind, but In spite or ths
stitching during the crossing Of the
channel the greatest difficulty en-
countered in the trip was landing, the
sea and land winds causing dangerous
: cross currents
Dealing, Aug. lS.--Moissant resumed
his flight to London al 4.55 A. M.
IN ideal weather, with only ltgh
western breeze. Moissant, with File be
! side him, made splendid get away
He was watched by a crowd or NOR
tran 500 people who arrived at Tiiman
stone by motor cycle or on foot.
The machine was soon lost to view