The Washington times., 1911-07-01
GASP AS
BOY AVIATOR FLIES
OVERNEW YORKC|TY
Young Atwood Makes Most
Spectacular Flight in
History of Aviation.

NEW YORK, July 1.-Lower Man
haitian, the skyescraper district of New
York, had its first genuine aeroplant
thrill today, when Harry N. twood, the
young Boston aviator, whirled gaily
over this part of the city in his Bur-
CESS Wright bi-plane, and made tens
of thousands gasp as he circled the
Singer building tower. 1t is estimated
100000 people saw the fight.
twood was completing a fight from
New London to New York, which began
at 7:3O this morning. He reached lower
Manhattan at 1872, and after few
minutes fight over the skyscraper dis
trict, the first time any aviator had
ever hazarded such a feat, Atwood shot
away to Governors Island and landed
en- the parade ground at 1:25.
Establishes Record.
In his fight Atwood carried a mech
anician. While over New York he trav-
eled in leisurely fashion, maneuvering
and circling for the crowds that had
gathered on the tops of buildings and
in the streets.
Atwood estimated that he few about
the same distance as yesterday in his
trip from Boston to the boat races at
Kew London. This was 1S5 miles and
established a new American cross-coun-
try record.
Thousands watched Atwood as he few
down the East river, his machine slis-
tening in the sunlight. The noise from
the popping of the engine and the whirr
of the two giant propellors would have
sufficed TO attract attention even had
the eye failed.
1t was not until the lower part of the
city was reached that Atwood's daring
came into prominence. Other aviators
had fought shy of this part Of the city,
pleading in excuse that the canons
formed by the skyscrapers caused dan
gerous air currents.
Atwood disputed this theory by ac-
tually dropping under the blue flag
which fiuttered from the Singer build
ing tower.
Atwood first hove in sight Of New
Workers sailing down the East river.
After describing a wide circle over
the upper bay, he swept in shore, and
flying at 1900 feet, marked a wide
skyscrapsrs, including the entire
financial district in a circle that had
the Battery and Fulton street in its
circumference.
Then, still flying at a height of
1900 feet, the daring young aviator
made a sensational loop over the
Singer building tower, Drawing
sharp wind in a series of abrupt
turns. His biplane tilted at times
until 1t seemed that both Atwood and
the mechanician would be thrown out
The crowds that lined the downtown
roof tops got their last view of the
aeroplane when he headed toward
Governors Island.
Traffic Is Halted.
Traffic was halted in the business
streets and the roofs of the tall build
ings were crowded. Every window was
dotted with the heads of men and
women.TaIn the flnaneid j. district busi-
ness was suspended while Atwood was
In the range of vision of the brokers.
Those who had field glasses leveled
them at the strange bird-like machine
which was capering across the sky.
Lower New York was never so excited
over aeronautics before.
Two women who were gazing upward
at the. flying machine saw it suddenly
tower and tainted. They explained aft
erward that they thought Atwood
would be impaled on the Flagstaff that
juts upward from the dome.
Gives Exhibition Flight.
After landing at Governors Island,
Atwood tinkered with his machine for
half an hour and finally decided he
would not fly to Mineola until tomor-
row. His flight from New London had
exhausted his supply of gasolene, but
after securing enough to partly fill his
tank, he consented to make an exhibi-
ton flight for the benefit of the assem-
bled newspaper photographers, who ar
rived too late to catch him landing.
He arose from the island at II: :4S and
circled around over the city. He car
ried as a passenger on this trip an
army officer. After a number of daring
island and landed at 11:53.
Atwood had intended landing on the
aviation field at Mineola, but conclud-
ed he would pay his respects to the
government instead.
On his way to Governors Island. At
wood circled the Statue of Liberty.
Almost a Novice.
Atwood crossed to Long Island near
Casino Beach. on the Astoria side of
the East river and just above He'll
Gate. He flew straight down the
river after passing the Queens Bor-
ough bridge, and headed for Wall
Street.
En- route to New York. Atwood
reached Bridgeport at s:26; STAN
mont 9:15.
Atwood has been flying less than
two months. but has already estab-
ljshed a reputation for cleverness and
daring. He is a Wright pupil. At the
boat races in New London yesterday,
he was easily the big hit OF the after
noon. He was accompanied by Mayor
sweeping circles above the myriad
craft along the course of the race,