Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1911-01-19
FURNISHES
| RESTING PLACE
FOR B|P[ANE
EXPERIMENT AT SAN
FRANCISCO SUCCESSFUL
Machine Flies Twelve
Miles; AIights on Warship's
Deck, Then Returns to
Grounds Without Mishap,
IN. M0ruing Journal Special Leased wirel

nv
CAN FRANCISCO, Cal. Jan. 1S.-
,,,ing a Curtiss racing biplane, Eu-
aana Ely made successful landing on
,so cruiser Pennsylvania, ana an hour
,o,or rose from the deck ana flew
nock 10 Salfridge field, twelve miles
quay The feat was accomplished
y,thout mishap. Not u WIRE or bolt
~ the delicate mechanism was in
,ured and the seeming ease of the
sho,, performance lessened the spec
tacular effect
oIt was easy enough" said Ely as
No stepped from his machine. Il
/ mink the trick could be successfully
,urned nine times out of ten"
Ey's flight was feature of the
Program of the aviation meet which
is in progress here.
Adverse weather had caused post
nonement of the attempt from day to
day. but when Ely reached Selfridge
field this morning and sized up the
Atmospheric conditions as favorable.
he at once decided to make the try
IT, The day was smoky but wind.
less and the air heavy.
1t was just 10;45 O'Clock when he
left the ground. His motor worked
perfectly and after few trying out
circles he headed northeastward and
swept over the San Bruno hills and
disappeared,
In the meantime the wireless had
notified the cruiser, at anchor with
f,, hax ha ha
make the attempt and final prepara-
tions were made for his reception. A
wooden platform 130 feet long and
50 feet wide had been constructed
upon the afterdeck of the ship 1t
soped gently aft, and across the floor
was stretched ropes with 100 pound
sand bags made fast at either end.
These were designed to be caught by
hooks on the lower frame work of the
biplane. AS a further precaution a
canvas barrier was stretched across
the forward end of the platform.
Launches and ships boats fully man.
ned were put out in event of mis-
hap. Ely hao installed two seven
foot pontoons under his lower planes
10 float the machine In case he was
forced to descend on the water and
forward he had built a hydroplane to
keep the aeroplane from diving.
At 1858 the lookout on the Penn
sylvania sighted the flyer through the
haze and the ships siren roared a
blast of welcome.
He came on at terrific speed and
moment later circled around the fleet, !
dipping in salute to each ship and
came up in the wind for the stern of
the Pennsylvania. He was flying low
as he neared the ship and dropped
down as lightly as a gull, striking the
platform about forty feet from the
end. The hooks which had been ar
ranged in the center pieces of the
aeroplane did their work perfectly and |
the machine was brought to stop |
within twenty-five feet.
When Ely touched the deck he was
going at the rate of about thirty-five
miles an hour but so gradually was
the speed checked by the dragging of
the sand bags as they were picked up |
in succession that he came to a stand
still without disarranging any part OF
the machine. There was great out
burst Of cheers when it was seen that |
the landing had been successful and a (
rush of officers, visitors and sailors
TO greet the aviator. One of the first
10 reach Ely was his wife. who had
been given a point of view on the
bridge by Captain Pond.
After submitting to the ordeal of |
being snapped by numerous photo
graphers Ely was taken below to the
captains cabin, where he was the
guest at luncheon.
In the meantime his machine had
peen turned around, the hooks on the
bottom of the centerpiece removed
ana the gasoline replenished in the
tank.
IN Just exactly one hour of the time
ne landed Ely took his seat in the ma
cnihe . and gave the word to let go.
me aeroplane swept down the 1876
iool platform at a high speed, drop
pea or the stern with a gentle dip
ana then rose rapidly over the ships
III the harbor. The start was as per-
iect as the landing had been. Rising
70 height of about 1000 feet Ely |
oncied over the extreme southern part
VI the city and then headed straight
10 lhe aviation field. He landed there
), The cruisers wireless had advised
". field officials of his departure
9lu they We're ready for him. A full
fompany of the Thirtieth infantry
'wooped down on him as he dismount-
= ana bore him in triumph on their
,nouiders !, to Major O'Neill's- tent.
ne otner troops were lined up to
'neer the aviator.
an informal reception In the ma
or tent followed. Toasts were drunk
ma Ely was made member of the
ness Major O'Neill, In proposing a
'eaith 10 the young aviator. said:
"a before Mr.. O'Neill sailed in
plane from the deck of war
he first time that feat was
omplished. Today he landed
eek of war vessel and not
ne land successfully, but he
his former achievement by !
to the air again. This day
afIi an epoch In naval history. |
4hhot say how 1t will affect the '
mt here we pledge him: c
'''e' The toast was drunk the Of c
're vded around the young av- s
~ near his account of the trip. s