The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-06-22
THREE Av|AT0RS
KILLED IN FRANCE
Tragedy Marks Opening Of BIG
European Flight.
FIVE BIRDMEN ARE INJURED
Two Hundred Spectators Hurt In
Crush at Great Cross Country
Event-Ten Competitors
Abandon Contest.

Paris. The beginning at Vim
cennes Of the greatest race through
the air ever witnessed was tragically
marked by the death of three aviators
and the injury to five others, one prob
ably fatally. Over 200 spectators were
also more or less injured.
Sixty airmen mad been entered in
this contest. OF whom fifty took wing,
in spite of the catastrophes with which
this. the greatest Of European cross
country flights, was inaugurated.
Ten Of the competitors were obliged
to abandon the contest for one reason
or another before they few beyond the
confines of the park.
The dead are:
Captain Princeteau. one of the most
distinguished French military avia-
tors. The motor of his monoplane.
which had been acting balky before
the start, exploded In midair within a
few minutes after his craft left the
ground. The benzine poured over tho
unfortunate aviator. burning him t.
death
M. lie Martin. Bleriot's favorite anc
most skillful pilot. 1t was known thas
the steering gear of his craft was not
in order when he started Getting be-
yond control almost as soon as he
rose, the monoplane collided with n
great oak tree. The motor fell on the
aviators head, crushing his skull.
M. Lendron, one of the most popular
airmen of France. . He had flown 70
miles when the fuel OF the reservoir OF
his monoplane exploded The machine
was entirely consumed and the avia-
tor was burned to death.
The injured are:
M Gaubert, who entered the race
under the name of Dalgar. He had
been an officer in the French army.
The aviator was found senseless under
his machine in wheat field near VII
ars-Coterets. His injury will probably
be fatal
M Billie, whose monoplane crashed
to the ground mile from the start
and was entirely wrecked. The aviator
was painfully but not seriously in
1ured.
M. Morrison fell near Gagny; NJ. Nor
in near Chevron, and NJ. Jordan near
Charleville. Their craft were wrecked
and the aviators were badly shaken
up. but their injuries are not serious
The scene of the start was the same
park in Vincennes where the late
French minister of war met death In
the ParisMadrid flight start four
weeks ago. Here, also, Laffort and
Pola were killed In the wreck Of their
Antoinette monoplane last December.
In spite Of these warning tragedies
the mob of spectators. numbering l.
100000 persons. surged on the field be-
fore the start. 1t was while driving
back the throng that the spectators
were injured more or less.
The European race is for purse
totaling $4,000. The course leads
over France. Belgium, Holland and
England with two crossings OF the
English channel The end. as the be-
ginning, Is at Vincennes. The total
distance is about $50 miles. On &C.
count Of the favorable topography Of
the country 1t was predicted that this
would be the most successful as well
as the least dangerous of all cross
country European races.
Nearly all the famous aviators of
Europe were entered and made their
starts. For America especial interest
centers in little Roland Garros, the
hero of the Paris-Rome flight. who
started in spite Of the contrary &C
tons Of his monoplane.