Norwich bulletin., 1911-07-05
Atwood Has a
Narrow ESCAPE
AVIATOR ALMOST THROWN FROM
SEAT BY WIND,
ARRIVES AT ATLANTIC CITY
Made Three Landings for Gasoline on
Trip from Governors Island-Is on
His Way to Washington.

Atlantic City, July A thrill was
given thousands of holiday visitors
here this afternoon when Harry y.
Atwood. the aviator, after fighting
heavy winds throughout his flight from
New York, terminated the third leg of
his proposed journey from Boston to
Washington by landing in his biplane
on the beach front.
Three Landings for Gasoline.
During the fight Atwood made three
landings for gasoline, one near Asbury
Park, the second at Tuckerton, N. J.,
and the third at Venice Park, near this
city. Atwood said that judging from
the amount of gasoline he had used he
must have Travelled at least ESQ miles.
In the Air Five Hours.
He was in the air more than five
hours. The distance along the coast is
about 115 miles. Il feel too tired TO
attempt the trip to Washington to-
night" the birdman said. My route
and time of starting will depend en-
tirely on the conditions tomorrow. I
hope to start before 10 o'clock in the
morning.
Only Trouble Was Gasoline Supply.
The only trouble I had during the
trip today" Atwood said, was with
my gasoline supply. After left Gov
ernor's Island I headed along the coast.
A warning whirr from my engines as 1
neared Asbury Park told me the gaso-
line was low At that time I was fly
ing about 1000 feet in the air. I Sc
lected landing place after circling
around the resort and landed. Here I
tank holds fifteen gallons, but thought
the five would be sufficient for the
wind seemed to be losing force.
Encountered Strong Air Currents.
'sWhen mounted the atmosphere
again ] tried a higher altitude in the
hope of finding quiet air currents. The
wind was stronger if anything higher
up, so I took travelling altitude of
about 1,500 feet. AS 1 passed over the
shore towns I always dipped to 500
foot level. The crowds always gave me
a fine reception and I could not resist
the temptation to answer with wave
of my hat. L reached Barnegat and
turned in for a, more direct route to
Atlantic City.
Borrowed Gasoline from Autoist.
81 experienced little troubleu ntil I
neared Tuckerton. Here the gasoline
went dry again. I had considerable
difficulty in spotting landing place,
but finally descended in a little clear
ing. I borrowed five gallons of gaso-
line from an owner" of an automobile
and made a good getaway. It was
during the fly from Tuckerton across
to the outskirts of this city that 1 had
my hardest fight to keep in the air.
The velocity of the wind here was the
strongest of the trip. 1t took me until
almost o'clock to make that last II
miles, but I must have made at least
so air miles.
Wind Grew More Treacherous.
''The wind grew more treacherous
as I swung up to Venice Park on the
tered air bumps and air holes that
made the going rather difficult. To
make matters worse, my gasoline ran
out again. I came down and narrowly
missed disaster when a puff of wind
caught the plane about a hundred feet
from the ground.
Almost Thrown from Seat.
st was almost thrown from my seat
as the wind got under the wings and
again when I struck the ground. That
was my narrowest escape. [ expected
to go head over heels, but managed to
hold on until the machine stopped. l
felt the shock. but found my machine
undamaged, and continued after taking
on five more gallons of gasoline.
Stable Currents Over Ocean.
when I circled out over the ocean
found the currents the most stable OF
my fight, and made a successful land
ing in Atlantic City"
Guest of Atlantic City Club.
Atwood will be the guest of the At
Iantic City Aera club over night
Washington Preparing for Him.
Washington, July 4.-The plans to-
night are to have the aerial visitor
alight in the ellipse Immediately be-
hind the White House. Atwood is to
use the Washington monument as
guiding mark, and several thousand
square feet of dazzling white canvas
will be spread on the lawn near the
tall shaft to mark the place for his
descent.
King George and Queen Mary re-