Los Angeles herald., 1910-11-15
MANBlRD FLIES 5
MILESFROM SHIP;
AMAZES NAVY MEN
Ely Shows That BipIane Is a Fac
tor That Must Be ReCkoned
with In War
NEW MARK SET FOR HISTORY
Aviator's Trip from Cruiser Bir-
mingham Across Chesapeake
Bay First of Kind
NEW MARK SET FOR HISTORY
(Associated Presss

FORT MONROE. Va, Nov. a.
Aerial navigation showed today that it
is factor which must be dealt with
in the naval tactics of the future, If
the successful fight made by Eugene
B. Ely in a Curtiss biplane from the
cruiser Birmingham can be taken as a.
criterion.
From Hampton Roads, the scene
forty-tive years ago of another epoch
making event in the history of warfare,
when an ironclad proved it's superiority
over the former type of fighting vessel,
the aviator today flew across the lower
end of Chesapeake bay, landing on the
shore opposite this fort.
In weather conditions unfaVorable
for flying, Ely shortly after 3 o'clock
glided from the platform erected on the
front of the cruiser, swooped down
until he touched the water, then rose
rapidly and was off in the direction of
the Atlantic. -Four minutes later he
was lost on the eastern horizon, and
an instant later had landed safely on
Willoughby spit.
The impact with which the machine
struck the water after it's 37-foot drop
from the cruiser split a small piece
from a propeller blade.
SPEED NOT LEssENED
But the speed of the ship was not
lessened, and it darted away with ex-
press train rapidity on its flight.
Intermittent rain throughout the day,
several hail showers and continuous
fog almost compelled the aviator to
postpone his attempt But he was de-
ternined to prove, as he said after the
flight that he could accomplish more
than had been expected.
Furthermore, he did not wait for
the Birmingham to get in motion,
which would have added to his momen-
tum, and thus have aided him, but seiz-
ing ap opportune moment between
showers he was off before those on the
ship with him and on the other ves-
sells stationed nearby to follow and
assist him in case of need, were aware
that he was ready.
Ely today said it would be an easy
matter for an aeroplane to alight on
vessel, whether moving or standing
still.
Naval experts who witnessed the
flight expressed their belief that the
navies of the future must take the
aeroplane into consideration.
MAY BE USED FOR SCOUTING
Capt Washington l. Chambers, who
had been detailed by the navy de-
partment as chairman of board for
aeronautical investigation, declared the
flight was more than he had antici-
pated, and is confident the time is near
when all scout cruisers will be equip
ped with aeroplanes. They would not
be of fighting use, he explained, but
for scout duty.
The machine in which Ely flew was
the one that Glenn Curtis used on his
Albany to-New York flight. 1t had
seen two previous cross-water flights,
one over Lake Erie from Euclid Beach
to Cedar Point and back, distance of
seventy miles; the other by Curtiss
himself over the Atlantic ocean, off At
lantic City, when it covered fifty
miles.
The distance which Ely flew today
was nearly five miles. 1t was 3;16
when he took to the air; five minutes
later he was safe on Virginia soil, a
few miles north of Norfolk:
Ely returned to Norfolk Immediately
after the flight. If weather conditions
are favorable tomorrow he will at
tempt a flight over the city. 1t is
understood Ely by his flight today won
$4,000 prize, offered by John Barry
Ryan for the first flight of a mile or
more from any ship to land.