Norwich bulletin., 1911-01-31

PauIdIng ana Terfy, tne leading SnlpS which were about ten miles apart. The intrepid aviator, when the sound of the engine told him something was wrong. instantly shut off the power. He descended rapidly, swinging stead fly to the water and alighting as gracefully as gull with outspread wings. The pontoon proved abund- antly buoyant and McCurdy did not even get his feet wet. >~
 Fall Witnessed by Rescue Squadron.
 The fall was seen by all the vessels of the squadron and they headed in the direction of the aeroplane at top speed. The Paulding and the Terry arrived almost at the same moment. Some difficulty was experienced in get ting the destroyers alongside the air crafe but the aviator sitting there apparently in contentment, assured the officers that he was entirely safe and that there was no necessity for haste. The Terry's lifeboat took him off and finally he was taken aboard the Paulding, but the efforts to hoist the machine on the launching plat form failed. Grappling irons were used and the aeroplane was hauled to the deck in a badly damaged condi- ton.
 Cuba's President at the Finish.
 While this work was going on the Cuban fla gship Hatuey arrived from Havana, carrying President Gomez and a party of friends She ran alongside the Paulding and the president shout ed his congratulations on the pluck of the aviator and regret over his ill for tune. After an hours delay the squad ron started for Havana, entering the harbor g few minutes after one o'rlock amid the cheers of many thousands who continued to thron2 the sea wall long after the news of the accident was known.
 Mccurdy Confident that He Can Make
 the Flight.
 On landing from the Paulding Me Curdy proceeded without change of clothing to the drill grounds at Camp Columbia, where he gave & fine ex- hibition of his skill rising to an alti- tude of 1900 feet and performing a va rtety of manoeuvers which startled the Cubans.
 McCurdy said this evening, referring to the accident to his engine which caused him to descend:
 'The accident only increases my earnest desire to effect the conquest of the Florida Straits, and I have the fullest confidence that I can do it. l do not know when I will be able to make another attempt, but under such conditions as prevailed today l am sure of success.''
 McCurdy was exactly two hours in the air, covering, it is estimated, about 96 miles. Besides breaking the over-sea record this is the first in- stance of an aeroplane flight entirely out of the sight of land.
 Keen Disappointment in Havana.
 The disappointment was keen in Havana over the aviator's mishap. On the firing of three cannon at Cab anas, signalling the start, all business was suspended. The whole popula- lation thronged the driveway from Punta to San Lazaro. All the high roofs and the heights of Morro and Cabanas were crowded.At ten o'clock 1 it became known that McCurdy was drawing near, but still he could not be seen. The excitement was intense Then came a long ominous delay. No news of the aviator could be obtained from the wireless station at Vedado owing to interruption of the telephone service. A rumor started that Mo- Curdy had been killed, but nothing was known in Havana until receipt of As sociated Press despatches giving an account of the accident. McCurdy will ! remain here throughout the week and will give exhibitions at Camp Colum- bia. The destroyers will return to- morrow.