The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1910-05-30
GLENN GURF|SSS
WINS BIG PRIZE
Daring Aviator Flys From AL
bany to New York in
Record Time.
FASTEST RAILROAD
TRAINS DISTANCED
Only One Stop Made in Long
Journey-Landing Made
With Great

NEW foRh, May 5u.-Ilenn If.
Curtiss, the American aviator, speed
ed down tn- air lanes from Albany
to Manhattan Island yesterday, dong
1877 miles In 1852 minutes, better time
than any limited on the Nea York
Central ever made. and Hmiiods don't
loaf
He not only won the $4,000 priae
offered by the New York World. but
he made an international record Tor
sustained speed and surpassed all re-
cords for an aeroplane IN lons-ots-
lance flight. There were tines when
his little biplane, which Is only half az
big as Pauihan2 famous flyer. split
the air at more than a 61-miio an
hour clip. and his average speed was
54.06 miles an hour.
The winds were good to Curtiss and
finer day for beating space and
time could not have been picked from
the calendar.
The start was from Albany at 1908
O'Clock this morning. under weather
conditions as near perfect as the most
faslidious aviator could demand pne
hour and 2s minutes later he had
made his stopping place near kougn
keepstt. where there waS an hoGr's IN
PERMISSION. Resuming his flight at
s.2s. he sped southwark and landed
within the boundary of Manhattan
Island at 1895. Only 100 yards north
Of the point on which his craft set
tied stretched Spuyten Duyvil Creek,
separating Manhattan leland from the
mainland. Had he failed TO cross
this his. flight would have been in
vain. but as he swept over 1t. the
prize WAS hit Thence to Governors
Island his task was but a whim ot
s,IN "A
race already won.
A 40-Foot proS.
Paulhan's flight from London to
Nanchester--lss miles--exceCoed the
Curtiss feat In distance, but not in
speed and danger. The FrenchInan's
average was AIS miles an hour, and
below him lay English mea1owiAn1-
Curtiss followed the winding course
Of the historic Hudson. with 1utting
headland. wooded slopes and IrsRch-
erous palisades. He swung hagh
over the great bridge at Poaghkeep,
sic. dipped at times within 90 feet OK
the rivers broad surface and Jockey
ed like a falcon at tho turns, Orly
once did his craft show signs of re-
belison. This was off Storm King.
near West Point. where at "a height
of nearly 1000 feet treacherous gust
struck his planes. The machine drop
ped like a rock for 40 feet and tilted
perilously. But Crrtiss. always cool.
kept both his head md has seat, and
by adrott manipulation of his levers
brought renewed equilibrium TO his
steed.
A Fine Start
The aviator was up before dawn to-
day, hesitant despite favorable wea-
ther conditions. But with eyes and
brain cleaned of the cobwebs Of sleep
he went with hts mechanic and a
handful of spectators to Van RenRse-
laer Island, on the Hudson. three
miles south of Albany. from where
he was to make the start. Waiting at
the river brink was a sps> Al New
York Central train for Mrs. Curtiss
and her party, who had not accom-
panied the aviator to the island From
the train they could not see the actual
start but those on the island witness
cd remarkable scene.
When the racer was wheeled from
beneath her canvas coverings shortly
before 7 o'clock the day was perfectly
clear and what little wind was stir
ring blew from the north--a direction
favorable to Curtiss-at speed of
perhaps four miles an hour.
! The gasolene tank was inspected
and the sparkling apparatus given a
final test. Two assistants held the
race horse In leasd. while a third
cranked the engine. There was a roar
from the exhaust, the two blades of
the fan. angular and lean. magically
merged into blurred gray rose. the
muscles OF the assistants Mt either
side tautened as the racer tuEged
against them. the hair OF the assist
ant at the rear stood out straight from
his head In the gale from the fan.
Let go!" cried the pilot, and she
was OF.
Like q Rocket.
Curtiss arose from the ground like a
rocket There were no preliminary
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS was no trial
flight The aeroplane ran hurriedly
over the surface of the island and
darted straight for Its goal to the
southwark. turning only for mo-
ment to the westward, so that Cur
tiss might comply with the terms OF
the competition under which he was
flying and technically cross the AL
bany city line.
Straight Up scared the aeroplane