Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-01-21
FLIES TO SHIP AND
BACK TO SHORE
Aviator Ely Sets New Mark
in AerOplane.
TEST OF CRAFT FOR WAR
Flies Twelve Miles over Water and
Alights on Deck OF Cruiser and Then
Flies Back

Alights on Deck OF Cruiser and Then
Flies Back
Eugent b. Ely accomplished great
feat of aviation when he flew twelve
miles from shore to the deck of the
cruiser Pennsylvania, anchored in San
Francisco bay, made perfect landing
on the warship. and after turning
about his machine launched it in the
air again and flew back to the start
ing point.
The double flight occupied only an
hour and half The greater part OF
that time was consumed on the cruiser
in preparing for the return flight
Ely, who Is a native son and one OF
the Curtiss school of aviators. took
the air from Selfridge field. where the
Thirtieth infantry was encamped for
the occasion He got off without a
hitch and sped the distance of twelve
miles across the bay in sixteen min
utes.
The cruiser Pennsylvania was the
center of fleet of warships. and the
bay was alive with craft of all descrip-
tons
Ely's machine broke through the
mist and swept up the bay like an
enormous gull never wavering or fall
tering for an instant.
The air was smoky and the aviator
flew low. so that IL was difficult to
pick him up until he was a few miles
away. A blast from the Pennsylvania
siren. which was taken up by chorus
Of other whistles, gave the first warn
ing of the aeroplane's approach. AT
brief intervals the sirens shrieked.
Then as the aeroplane scared down
toward the deck OF the cruiser they all
let go in a mighty toot.
Ely flew through the cruiser squar.
ron very close to the water. He ap-
preached the Pennsylvania from her
bows. swept past her for few hun
dred yards and then circled back.
mounting slowly and settling lightly
on the big platform that covered the
ships after deck and projected far out
over the stern.
Ely landed so lightly that his bi.
plane was hardly shaken. His ma.
chine. a Curtiss, was especially pre-
pared for the experiment.
Elaborate preparations to insure
safe landing for the aviator on the
deck of the cruiser had been made.
Ely returned to Selfrdge field from
the Pennsylvania. His return was
without incident.
When he alighted he received
warm reception from the army officers
and troops of the Thirtieth infantry
encamped on the grounds.
He said This was easy could do
II every day"
4 The Pennsylvania lay al anchor in
the bay al the customary warship an.
chorage. between Buena Vista island
and the city water front.
A great crowd had gathered on the
piers to watch the flight. and the
cheers Of the crowd as Ely alighted
on the warship with the graceful dip
of cormorant could be heard far out
on the water
Ely's flight was perfect demonstra-
ton of control and the aviator had no
difficulty at any stage.
When he assembled Ely put the inner
tube OF an automobile tire around his
chest to serve as a life preserver II
needed. Two seven foot pontoons were
attached to the aeroplane, which also
carried hydroplane to prevent up
setting II the machine struck the
water.
on Nov. 10 last Ely made the first
successful flight from ship to shore
when he flew from the forward deck
Of the scout cruiser Birmingham. an.
chored in Hampton Roads off Old
Point Comfort. landing on the shore
opposite Fortress Monroe.