Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-19
ELY FLIES To
SHIP and BACK
Aviator Who Gave Exhibition
Here First to Accomplish
Such an Exploit.
QUICK TIME, NO MISHAP
Declares Afterward That Feat Could
BE Accomplished Nine Times
Out of Ten.

San Francisco, Jan. 19.-Eugene
B. Ely. in a Curtiss biplane. yester-
day flew from Selfridge field TO the
cruiser Pennsylvania. ~ miles dis
tant. landed on the deck OF the war
vessel and after an hour few back
to his starting point
Ely declared to the soldiers OF the
18th infantry, who seized him and
hoisted him on their shoulders as
he alighted from HIS machine. that
the feat was easy and could be &C
complished nine times out OF ten.
Ely has been the first TO sail in an
aeroplane from the deck OF a war
vessel and the first to fly from shore
to a ship and then return. Naval
and military men attached great inn
portance to his success.
NO DAMAGE DONE.
Not wire or bolt OF the delicate
mechanism of the biplane was lnjur-
ed at the conclusion of the flight
and the seeming ease OF the whole
performance lessened the spectacular
effect.
II was Just 1O.45 o'clock when Ely
left the ground. His motor worked
perfectly and after few try-out
circles he headed northeastward.
swept over the San Bruno hills and
disappeared.
In the meantime the wireless had
notified the cruiser. at anchor with
the fleet in the bay, that the aviator
would make the attempt. and final
preparations were made for his re-
ception.
WOODEN PLATFORM BUILT.
- wooden platform. 1870 feet long
and so feet wide, had been construct
ed over the after deck OF the ship.
II sloped gently aft. and across the
floor we're stretched ropes with 100
pound sandbags made fast at either
end. These were designed 10 be
caught by hooks on the lower frame
work of the biplane. Launches and
ships boats fully manned were put
out in the event OF a mishap.
DIPS SALUTES TO FLEET.
At 1888 the lookout on tho
sighted Ely through
the haze, and the ships siren roared
a blast of welcome. The aviator came
on at a terrific speed and a moment
later circled around the fleet, dip
ping in salute to each ship. and came
up in the wind for the stern OF the
lie was flying low as
he neared the ship. and dropped
down as lightly as gull, striking the
platform about 40 feet from the end
and the airship was brought 20
standstill within % feet. the hooks
doing thor work perfectly
There was great outburst OF
cheers and Ely was taken below TO
the captains cabin, where he was the
guest at luncheon
RETURN TRIP SMOOTH.
In exactly one hour from the time
he landed Ely again took his seat In
his machine and gave the word TO
let go. The aeroplane swept down
he I25-foot platform at high speed
dropped off the stern with a gentle
iip and then rose rapidly over the
ships I'm the harbor. Rising 10
height of 1000 feet. Ely circled over
he extreme southern part Of the city
and then headed straight for the av-
alton field. He landed there at
1913.
Uses WIRELESS.
During "A sham battle fought by
roops at the aviation field Charles
:. willard. In a Curtiss biplane
equipped with a wireless instrument.
lscended to determine whether a
wireless message could be received
md read by an aviator According
o Willard he had no difficulty in
making out a simple cipher message
ent 20 him from a tower before the
rand stand.
Walter Brookins in his Wright BIZ
lane carried up Ensign Stoyer OF
he cruiser. West Virginia, for q