The Princeton union., 1911-01-12
Ayiators Undaunted. Though
Rendered More Cautious by
Deaths of MOiSant
and hOxSey.
BY JAMES A. EDGER TON.

~ AVlNG uOWn from the deck OF
battleship to land, Eugene
B. Ely, the aviator, became
ambitious to reverse the proc
less and fly from land to the deck of
battleship. So he arranged with the
officials Of the San Francisco aero
nautical meet to skyplane out from the
California shore to the armored cruis-
er Pennsylvania.
In some aspects this is the most SEN
sational aeroplane feat yet undertaken
1t is a brand new, twentieth century
way of boarding man-of-war. This
being the month Of the San Francisco
meet, the thing is brought before us
with all it's startling reality. Mr.. Ely
has not only reversed his process Of
flight, but his position on the CONT
nent, the previous feat having been
pulled off at Hampton Roads on the
fAtlantic coast. He has likewise re-
versed all previous human experience.
The possibilities he has opened are
staggering.
What is to prevent a flock of aero
planes from boarding a battleship
while the aeronauts whip the crew
before the jack tars recover from their
astonishment? What is to prevent the
sky passengers from dropping bombs
on the admiral's head or blowing off
the fighting tops and coming towers?
Ut is plain to see that in future our
lighting ships will have to be armored
not only on the sides and ends, but on
top.
Mr.. Ely presents us a more pleasing
prospect, however. Hereafter when an
irate passenger loses his steamer, in
stead Of jumping into the water or
shaking his fist and hurting language
at the disappearing liner, he can take
the casual remark that he always
takes ship that way.
Already Sensational Performer.
In Mr.. Ely's previous flight he gave
a bunch of Uncle Sans naval officers
and men the sensation of their lives.
An inclined platform had been impro-
;vised on the deck Of the Birmingham,
and from this the venturesome aviator
made his start. 1t was a windy and
rainy morning, and for this reason
few believed that the trip would be
made. Almost before the 0nlookers
knew it the biplane had left the ship,
dipped until it actually grazed the wa
ter, then arose to height Of 200 feet
and bore away to the family outlined
Virginia shore, two and one-half miles
distant
Mr.. Ely said that when he struck
Fthe water his propeller was slightly
injured and he himself was blinded
by the salt spray covering his Cog
giles. When he had taken time to wipe
Off the moisture he was far aloft and
flying like bird.
The machine used was the same one
in which Glenn II. Curtiss made the
journey from Albany to New York.
ELY always uses Curtiss biplane and
with it recently won a speed contest
against a Wright machine.
1t would have been a star idea if
Ely had decided to take with him on
his shore to battleship fight some of
the San Francisco bellies who eagerly
accepted invitations to go aloft during
the San Francisco meet. It would
have opened a new era in the social
annals of the navy. The custom, once
having started, might have continued
and expanded until Uncle Sans crews
could have looked forward to regular
visits from the aeroplane girls bri-
gades that would literally drop in on
them every time their ships cot near
shore.
: Miss Sears Starts Fad.
1t was Eleanor Sears Of Boston and
Newport who started the San Fran
CISCO society buds to awaiting Miss
Sears was not the first woman to 20
aoft, but she was about the biggest
social noise that had done so, and the
sport was soon the fad of the smart
set.
Aeroplanlng is now in the acrobatic
stage. Man, having found his wings, is
trylng them out and is doing all sorts
'o1 freak feats in sheer enjoyment of
his new powers. This is especially
true IN America, where we are natural
~ more venturesome and where trick
riding and circus stunts have been in
dulged to the limit and beyond. Avia-
tors are agreed that to this fact is due
many of the deaths that have cast
shadow upon the sport. Later on, let
Fus hope, we shall settle down to
more serious and cautious gait. While
this may not be as sensational or
profitable, it will at least be better for
the future Of aviation and will not
break so many necks.
The flight of Ely to the battleship is
not exactly Of the freak class, since it
demonstrated possible uses fer the
aeroplane in war. But spiral drops,
excessive altitude tests and other SEN
sational riding contribute little to the
kcience Of aviation and only go to swell
the prize money and the death list.