Daily press. [volume] (Newport News, Va.) 1896-current, 1910-11-08
ACC0MPLISHES SUPPOSED
IMPOSSIBLE AIR FEAT
Daring Aviator Take Prize of $1,000
offered by Newspaper and $500
Given by lnvafid for Special "stunt'
Over sky-scrapers-Injects Some
Wonderful EvoIutions In the Pro-
eram-Makes New Record.
(By Associated Pressl


BALTIMORE. MD, Nov. This
morning Hubert Latham was probab''
the only aviator in Baltimore. if not
in the United States, who believed
that he would accomplish flight of
nearly % miles, about half of it over
this city. Predictions that he would
be killed; that he would fail in the
attempt and that he would not even
make the venture, were abundant To-
night Latham is hailed on all sides
as a hero who has accomplished the
impossible, and establishing new
record for over-city flight, has disclOs-
ed new possibilities in aviation.
The incentive for the flight was a
prize of $1,000, offered by The Sun
and the Evening Sun. for a trip over
a prescribed route from, ano. return
ing to, the aviation field, where Bal
timore's aviation meet is now in pro-
gress.F Latham was 10 follow the
course of the Patapsco river from
near the. aviation field, to Fort Nc
Henry, whose banner furnished Fran
els Scott Key the inspiration for his
famous poem; thence up the inner
harbor to and around The Sun build
ing. thence east to the city limits, a
mile north and thence west to Druid
Hill Park. down Charles street to
Baltimore. and thence again west and
later southwest to the aviation field.
Special Turn for Sick Man.
There was to be short detour for
the benefit of Ross Winans, wealthy
invalid who, unable to leave his home,
offered an additional $500 if Latham
would come within his range of vision.
All this Latham accomplished, and
into the program he injected some
wonderful evoiutions. He varied his
altitude from 400 to 1000 feet and had
TO contend with wind blowing at from
Z TO Is miles an hour. He used his
50-horse power Antoinette and was in
the air AZ minutes, making no stop
after leaving the field until he return
ed thereto.
1t is estimated that the fight, which
is understood to establish a record
for over-city flying. was Witnessed by
half million people. At IL O'CLOCK
the whole city seemed to stop work
and begin watching, and the excite
ment was added to by the terrific hub
tUD Which, ctCdl NntSlACS SCI up
Some minutes later word came from
Halethorpe that the airman was ready
and then in a moment or two the CITY
hall bell beagn signalling that Latham
had actually started
- Great Flight Starts
In a few minutes more, those on
the tall buildings saw a faint speck
ia the direction of Haiethorpe. 1t was
Latham's great Antoinette floating
eastward.
Borne by the stirring breeze. La
than flew straight for Fort McHenry
and when almost over che historic
spot. slowly curved around. and head
ing in a generally northwestern direc-
ton, steered for the crowded grand
stands in the sky-scraper district
Curv:ng round the Beivedere Hotel.
he few &c about the line Of Calvert
street. and there, come 1000 feet in
the air performed a series Of aerial
gyrations, wheeling back and forth
for the edifcation OF Ross Winans-
who had offered $500 for the sight OF
one OF the greatest modern wonders.
the acroplane in action Then ne
struck on for the sky-scraper district
again. Over The Sun building he
wheeled westward and near the edge
Of the city. bore away southwest for
the aviation field. Reaching there,
he was overwhelmed with congrstuis-
tons BY his fellow svia;ors ana
friends.
Those well qualified TO judge. de-
clare the feat the most remarkable
IL tho aviation annals.
Drcxei Wins for Altitude
There were competitions al the avi-
alton field today. Here again. Latham
came 70 the front BY winning FIRST in
The duration and also In the distance
contests. Count Jacques De Lesseps.
n HE Bleriot. took second prize IN
the altitude and ir the duration trials
and ]. Armstrong Drexel. sailing
Bleriot. woa the FIRST prize for altt
fsde. Ills record was l.ss6 feet
while Count De Jcssepe scored LIZ.
Latham took first duration prize BY
remaining IN the cir total OF A. ain
ufes. ~ seconds. Dc Lesseps remain
far afoff 20 minutes, ~ - seconds.