Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-05-26
PARIS To MADRID,
Three P|ucky Aviaiors Hav-
ing Their HaTdships,
Gilbert, Vedrine and GdTros All
Have Damaged Machines.
vedrIne VIII Probably Be the Only
One 10 Finish.

| Madrid May 25.-With the exception
of the crossing of the Alps by George
! Chavez Sept. 90 1910. feat which end
| ed in his death, the third stage of the
avio ton race from Paris to Madrid for
the Petit Parisien prize of $4,000 and
SIC, 600 additional offered by the Span
| ish Aero Club. proved to be the most
severe test that the aeroplanes have
yet been subjected to and two of the
three contestants. it would now appear
have been forced to abandon the fight.
Gilbert. Garros and Vedrine began the
third stage of their journey from San
Sebastian at an early hour this morn
ing The 266 miles of the route is al
most entirely over desolate ranges, the
crags varying from 1000 to 5000 feet in
height. A fall would mean certain
deat tn, and to make fresh start would
be impossible in the mountainous
country. The aViators were alternate
ly dazzled and scorched by the rays of
the southern sun or drenched and
blinded by the mountain mists.
They had also to contend against
feathered foes. Gilbert fought the first
recorded battle of the air with a large
fierce eagle, at which he was forced
&c shoot from his revolver.
From an early hour King Alfonso
and other members of the royal fam
lily the rank and fashion of the cap
ital and $4,000 persons thronged the
atrodrome at Getafe.
When finally at shutdown it was
learned that even the indomnitable
Ncndrine had been temporarily de-
layed by the natural obstacles of the
route aud accidents to his machine,
the spectators dispersed.
From the latest dispatches il APP
pears that Vedrine alone is likely to
finish He passed over Quintanapalla
and crossed the city of Burgos at a
great height, but later was forced to
descend. He telegraphed to the Aero
Club, saying that he could not pro-
coed for some hours and the Club
authorized an extension of the time
for the completion of the race.
Gilbert landed at Olazagutia, about
40 miles from San Seba stan, but when
he attempted to make a fresh start his
machine was capsized and partially
wrecked. although the aviator was not
hurt. There is little probability that
he viii be able to repair the aeroplane
within the time limit
Garros is stalled in mountainous
spot near Andoain, six miles from San
Sebastian. The nature of the ground
makes a re-start practically impos-
sible and it is understood that Garros
has abandoned the contest.
King Alfonso expressed great enthus-
iasm over the race. To one of the MEM
bers of the committee he said:
1T is magnificent and astounding. New
er would l have believed that the frail
monopane could traverse Tolosa Vitoria
Burgos and vanquish the obstacles which
Nature has placed in the way. The mag
nitude of the difficulties / am we'll ac-
quainted with. and even yesterday | be
lieved them insurmountable I confess
that 1 even thought the promoters of the
race foolhardy.'
Verdine succeeded In making repairs
and is now ready to make an early start
| Gibert's machine contrary to the first
| statement, is not very seriously damaged
and can be repaired in few hours.
| Speaking of his fight with the eagle
Gilbert said:
| The bird swooped down upon me vi
ciously and struck with it's powerful
| my cap / then fired at 1t and believe
that one of the shots wounded the bird =
| London. May 25.-An aviation pupil
i t1arned Ransom xpaS killed nj Hendou To