The Detroit times., 1911-01-31
Av|AT0R SC00TS
FROM KEY WEST
TO CUBAN COAST
J. A. d. McCurdy, Young Canadian,
Makes Thrilling Flight Across Gull
of Mexico-Hslts Trip 10 Miles
FroSs Havana.
Supply of Lubricating Oil Becomes
Exhausted. After He Cruises More
Than 100 Miles.

HAVANA, jan. 30.-One of the
raost spectacular flights in an aero
plane ever essayed by an aviator
failed OF complete success this after
room by less than ten miles. when
j. A. ID. McCurdy was forced to land
in the water outside the entrance OF
Havana harbor, because his supply or
lubricating oil had become exhausted.
Starting from the aviation field on
the outskirts of Key West at 7.32
this morning, the daring young Gan
adian flyer held his course direct ioi
this city Just when success seemed
certain ne discovered that his engine
was running hot and he was forced To
descend on the surface OF the water
when within sight OF his coveted goal
and almost within sound OF the cheer
ing multitude that had gathered IL
greet him IL was bitter disappoint-
ment TO McCurdy, who had waited ar
Key West for n week for favorable
weather 10 try the self-imposed task.
When McCurdy passed the naval
wireless station on Key West at
S:l9 o'clock, his altitude was ON
cially reckoned at 500 feet. The
aviator passed over the torpedo boat
destroyer Poe, the fourth boat out
from Key West at gil and was then
maintaining about the same altitude.
The naval vessels were lined up
ten miles apart in the following
order: Tug Massasoit. Magrove. For
ward, Roe, Drayton, Terry and the
Paulding When McCurdy passed the
Roe. all the boats. at a signal, started
full speed toward Havana. When
McCurdy came down the fiotilla was
in swift pursuit, and he was soon
safe.
News that McCurdy was finally III
attempt the Over-water flight was
cabled from Key West early in tho
day and the residents of the city at
once prepared for a holiday. Business
establishments shut down 10 give
their employees an opportunity TO greet
the air navigator, Weather conditions
here were admirable. The sun shonc
brightly, dispensing the early morn
ing haze, and housetops and other
points OF vantage were jammed with
enthusiastic men, women and chill
Dire. Even the government Offices
were closed for the morning and the
occupants hurried to Moro Castle.
where they took positions that would
give them good view of McCurdy.
There was q long wearisome wait.
and there was several false alarms
until the signal was finally given by
the observer stationed on the lookout
| wall of the castle, that he. had finally
seen the torpedo boats that were act
ing as attendants to the air craft.
The boats were headed direct for
the harbor entrance and everyone
tried hard TO catch glimpse OF the
bird-like machine lowering above the
decks OF the speedy craft.
A few minutes after the torpedo
boats were sighted, they were seen
TO stop and then turn back. This was
the first word that the aviator was
In trouble and the disappointment was
acute.
Shortly afterwards a wireless dis
patch was received. explaining the
reason for the mishap. Ii stated that
the supply OF lubricants had run out
and that in order to escape disaster,
McCurdy had been forced TO descend
His aeroplane was equipped with pom
toons and he was quickly picked mp
by one OF the conveys. unhHrt, but
very much disappointed.