The San Francisco call., 1910-05-30
CURTISS MAKES
new RECORD
FOR AVIATION
Captures $4,000 Prize by a
Flight in BipIane From ALI
bany to New York
Birdnan's Feat Eclipses All
Previous Efforts TO Con-
troll the Air


actual start. but those on the island
witnessed a remarkable scene.
Curtiss arose from the ground like
a rocket. There were no preliminary
maneuvers, there was no trial flight.
The areoplane ran hurriedly over the
surface Of the island and darted
straight for its goal, turning once for
a moment to the west. so that Curtiss
might comply with the terms of the
under which he was flying
and technically cross the Albany city
line. When the aeroplane reached a
height estimated at 500 feet it seemed
Tor moment TO hold that level and
then to rise higher. Curtiss was flying
at height which he had never at
tempted before. In seven minutes he
had been lost 10 view.
When the aeroplane was wheeled
from beneath its canvas coverings
shortly before o'clock the sky was
perfectly clear and what little wind
was stirring blew from the north-a
direction favorable to Curtiss-at four
miles an hour.
y
. With the signal that Curtiss was off
e the special train of FIVE cars and a
locomotive gathered impetus and
Sought TO follow. But so quickly had
he flown that for p miles the locomo-
tive. though running nearly a mile a
minute, was unable TO catch up.
At 1926. however, the train came
oF
10 New York city those on board kept
the aviator in sight. but as he did not
+; have to reckon with curves and track
switches and reduced speed through
towns, the man above made a substan-
etial lead.
!. Swiftly town and countryside reeIed
'isy. Catskill was passed at 7;41 with
.{he aeroplane 1000 feet above the Hud-
son.
At sos he was still flying high and
-veering well toward the west bank of
the river.
AT sos, So minutes after the start, he
scared past Rhinecliff Ferry, 81 miles
from Albany. Here there is bend in
the river and Curtiss turned again to
the west, passing overland to shorten
his course. Staatsburg marked the six
ueth mile point and he had covered
this distance in 69 minutes With
spanning the Hudson at Poughkeepsie
loOmed ahead. The bridge itself is 2I2
feet high, but Curtiss topped il by 900
feet Then he turned westward and
with the precision of a bird settled
sofuy IN the field three miles south of
Poughkeepsie at S:26. He had flown "A
miles from Albany in SO minutes.
Though the landing place. known
as the Gill meadows, had previously
heen selected, CurtisS was not expected
TINS morning, because of last weeks
postponements, and there was no gas
ollne and oil awaiting him. But for
tunately, two automobile tourists hap
pened by and were eager to supply
@lim.
*WIFE GREETs HUSBAND
: His tanks had been filled with 10
gallons Of gasoline before he left AL
:bany. Examination showed three gal
ions remained, enough to have carried
him TO West Point Curtiss was TAX
:5ng no chances, however, and refilled
:his tanks.
:. Fire alarm bells were rung as the
aviator neared Poughkeepsie, but his
progress was so rapid that few people
had q. chance to see him pass. On the
Gill meadows little group sighted
him coming and sent up a cheer. Com
ing down gracefully his machine struck
a grassy knoll. trundled along for 80
or 40 feet and then came to a stop.
The special train meanwhile brought
his wife, who rushed from the car and
hurried TO her husbands side She
greeted him jubilsntly, while the crowd
cheered again.
With tanks refilled and with every
wire and screw tested, Curtiss took
his seat for the final dash to New York.
in a moment more the craft was again
. over the Hudson and Curtiss turned
his course south and was lost to view
Exactly one hour had been consumed
: at Poughkeepsie. as he arrived at S:26
and departed at 1926.
MACHINE TAKES TILT
Curtiss passed the military academy
at West Point at 1902 o'clock Officers
and cadets alike sent up a cheer after
the aviator.
At Storm King. the most sensational
incident Of the trip occurred. Curtiss
was flying high at this point-a
thousand feet he estimates-wien
shiftly wind caused the machine to
drop and tilt. Never once losing con-
troll, he continued southwark, passing
IN turn Peekskin, Ossining and Dobbs
Ferry KOnkers was passed at 1890,
AT a height of 800 or 400 feet Here
Curtiss got his. first glimpse of the
Metropolitan tower. 1t loomed far
ahead like a giant needle, and Curtiss
knew he was nearing the upper limits
OF New YORK city.
Out Of the haze that lay in the bend
Of the river at Yonkers, he shot into
the view OF thousands who were wait
ing his coming along the upper reaches
OF Riverside drive and on the roofs OF
the big apartment houses IN Washing
ton heights. A mere speck at first the
little aerOplane looked like a gull fly
ing with rigid wings on the gale. The
motor was chugging sturdily and send
ing the craft along toward its goal at
2 rate of so miles an hour.
HEARTY WELCOME GIVEN
Rounding the big jutting nose of
Alpine on the Jersey shore opposite
Honkers Curtiss drove his machine
across the river toward the east side
of the stream and hugged the New
York shore. The crowds along the
shore cheered and waved hats and
handkerchiefs and the sharp, shrill
screeches of the whistles of small plea
sure boats Joined with the more sonor-
Gus ones Of the large craft in a hearty
welcome
On past Riverdale. flying straight as
an arrow, came the aeroplane It was
abreast New York city and a few
miles from the upper end of Manhat-
tan island
Barring some accident, 1t seemed now
fnaI CurtiSS must win fhe SIN 00n r,rfza