Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1910-06-14
Lands Like Sea Gull
in the Quaker City
(By Associated Press. }

(By Associated Press.)
PHILADELPHIA, June B-With
dull, leaden sky overhead, Charles K.
Hamilton today made the most daring
flight Of his career travelling in his BIZ
plane from Governors island, N. Y, to a
point on the outskirts of Philadelphia,
distance Of Sc miles, in 11S minutes, un-
official time.
A feature Of the wonderful achieve
ment was the ease with which Hamilton
picked up and followed a Pennsylvania
railroad train travelling with almost light
ming speed. According to his program
he few from Governors island to South
Elizabeth, n. j., where the train was
awaiting his appearance. From that
point, town after town reported the
amazing fact that the train had passed
with Hamilton flying directly over It,"
Occasionally, with the probable desire
to give variety to his journel, he diverg-
ed little. At Princeton, for instance,
he went up near the old college town so
that the students and graduates gathered
there for commencement week might see
him.
GREAT CROWD GATHERS.
At the aviation field. four miles north
of the center of the city, a tremendous
crowd awaited the arrival or tde daring
airman. An almost ideal landing cushion
composed Of tall grass growing out of
soft ground had been selected, and IT was
surrounded by 500 policemen. All the
mills In the neighborhood were shut
down and that section of the city took a
holiday. The crowd began gathering at
6 a m. Signal flags on a tall pole told Of
Hamilton's leaving Governors island,
and other signals kept the crowd in
formed Of his progress.
swOOPS DOWN LIKE GULL
So misty was the morning that the
range of vision did not extend far. After
the report came that Hamilton had cross
ed into Pennsylvania. II did not seem long
before a shout went up from the eastern
ledge Of the crowd that Hamilton was in
sight. Sure enough, there he was, high
in the air, directly over the special train.
A moment later he was in plain view of
all and then a tremendous cheer went UP.
Flying steadily and true he repidly APP
preached. and when he was within
few yards of the field swerved to the
right, and after circling the field several
times, swooped down like a sea gull after
a fish.
He landed easily and before he could
get out of his machine the crowd broke
through the police lines and rushed at
him. Hamilton was. however, quickly
surrounded by a Gordon of police.
ASKS FOR CIGARETTE.
The first thing he asked for when he
stepped out was a cigarette. He was as
cool as IL he had just alighted from all
automobile ride.
Governor Stuart was on the field TO
welcome Hamilton. To the governor no
said that IL was the best trip he hal
ever made. II had the machine in per-
feet control all the way and could have
stayed up indefinitely If 1 had desired.
1 ciTcled the field three times to show
the crowd that I was able to keep up
longer. The only drawback to the jour
ney was the dampness and the chill. Most
Of the trip was misty and at times
could not see the train and seldom saw
the people at the stations
For long time after he alighted Ham
ilton could pay no attention to his BIZ
plane. so enthusiastic was the reception
he received. The police had all they
could do to keep the crowd from crush
ing his aeroplane.
START IS MADE.
NEW YORK, June 1S.-with about
as much apparent concern as that
displayed by summer vacation
list on a Pullman car Journey. Charles
X Hamilton scared away from Gov
ernors Island early today, set upon ac-
complishing an aerial flight of nearly 200
miles, from New York to Philadelphia
and return.
The young aeroplanist, absolutely I'M
ago, was delayed at tho start by the
smashing OF one of his propeller blades
but a new propeller was quickly fitted to
the machine and a second and final start
was made at TBS O'Clock.
Hamilton. puffed out to obese proper
lions by padding of inflated rubber auto
mobile tire tubes under his leather jacket
made one wide preliminary circle over the
army reservation before setting out or
his objective point.
He rose on an easy slant to an altitude
CT 225 feet and the motor and new pro-
peller developing no balky tendencies,
headed of towards the Jersey shore, the
river and harbor craft footing him a
water of the upper bay and the Kill Won
Hull.
CARRIED LETTERS.
The young aviator carried letters from
| Governor Hughes and Mayor Gaynor to
be delivered to Governor Stuart and
Mayor Reyburn in Philadelphia and a
| special message from the New York
Times TO the Philadelphia Public Ledger
! The flight was undertaken under the
auspices OF the Times and the Ledger
| The two papers contributed a purse to
vary In value, according to what Ham
ilton should achieve. The total amount
has not been made public but it was m
derstood that even IL unsuccessful in
accomplishing his full task of a New
York Philadelphia and return flight Ham
the effort.
ON GROUND EARLY.
Hamilton was one the ground early and