The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1911-02-08
GETS NEAR CUBA
Brave Aviator Compelled to Descend
len Miles from Havana
THE AIR MAN GIVEN OUT

The AIR Man GIVEN out
i-lics at the Rate OF Fifty Miles an
Hour-StartS From Key West.
Fla. and When Near His Goal Had
to Light in the Water.
After week o: nerve-r2cking
anxiety. Aviator ). !. D. McCu:dy In
4 Cu-tiss biplane. g,a-.ed on his
much-heraldcd flight rom Key West
10 Havana 1T 1:32 O'Clock Monday
morning. AT Key West lish;
breeze was blowing and the sea was
smooth Similar reports came by
wireless from Havana. and AcCurd-'.
whcse patience had nearly been ex-
aaus,ed by week OF anxious wait
ag. quickly decided TO make the
aicht.
Early Monday morning orders
we're issued 70 the government boats
at Key West. and they Immediately
took their positions ten miles apart
When word came by wireless from
he torpedo boat destroyer Roe that
he boats were all ready for him.
McCurdy 20, ready 20 make the
liSht. Every brace and wire OF the
oiplane had been thoroughly tested
The motor had been taned up and
amid silence that was almost op-
pressive. McCurdy took his position
on the aeropiaEe. The engine was
started. an assistant, gave the pro-
oeller couple Of twists.
McCurdy listened moment to the
sound o. the motor and then raised
rs hand rs signal 10 the men hold
n: the machine TO let go. Swiftly
he aeroplane ran along the smooth
ground for about one hundred feet.
Then easily and gracefully It rose
'ro:n the earth and McCurdy con-
-nelced 10 mount TO the sky. AS he
eft the ground the assembled crowd
gave mighty cheer McCurdy
waved his hand and was OF on the
most difficult trip over the sea that
has even been attempted.
With tremendous velocity the
great wh:te-winged plane shot out
over the smooth waters. An1:ously
the crowd gathered on the shore.
watched the machine as it grew
smaller and smaller and faded from
sight. An1:ously they waited for the
first news By wireless. snd when the
dispatch came that he had passed
The third boat. thirty miles from
shore and was flying smoothly. an
other mighty cheer was given.
While the last details were being
looked after MrCurdy stood about
-almly smoking pipe. He looked
>ooi and confident At 6:4a the ma
chine was rolled into place. and FIVE
minutes after the big steam whistle
at the ice factory woke Up the town
| With a tremendous blast. and almost
he entire population rushed through
he streets for the starting point. Il
s estimated that fully 10000 peo-
lie saw the start Mayor Fogartv.
With the entire police force. had
great difficulty IN keeping an open
space OF 500 feet so that start
could be made.
McCurdy took his place In the ma
ehine. an assistant oiled the pro-
3eller and then gave :t 4 number OF
whirls. Four men held the machine
while McCurdy tested the motor by
starting and stopping it. McCurdy
adjusted his headgear. his assistant
| xhirleG the propeller. the motor was
started and the machine was OF at
:: fast gait. running along the
ground. 1t ran nearly The length o.!
ne open space and then arose IN the
air toward the east.
McCurdy first circled over the ha--
Dor a: an elevation OF 500 feet He
made second circle at an ele-atioa
II over 1000 feet. and al ':32 the
lag dropped and McC"rdy crossed
he line OYER the wireless station.
going 1t the rate OF nearly sixty
9l:.es an hour. In zen minutes ne
vas oat OF sight over Sand Key. ten
:.lles away. Before starting Nc
urdy PIT on a li.e-buoy and care
fully inspected the pontcons which
.ad been attached 70 the machine 70
':e.p X sAoat IN case he had TO de-
,cend 20 the water.
The hicn; Is for prize OF $500"
,T"r-d By The Havana Post. and
s&.nao appropriated By the Havana
'!ty Council. As soon as the avia-
or had disappeared from view. tn.
rowd rushed about the wireless sta
ION and awaited reports by wire
'.ss. When the news came that ne
I'D passed the third station TiZ-
,rouSly cheer went UP. AS the mo-
n;.nts flew and no further reports
lme. the crowd grew ANXIOUS. and
gathered about the cable o.hce TO
Sa;t for rc%or;s from Havana.
When news OF the start had been
dashed 10 ne waiting boats. place,
Ten miles apart. everybody was on
outlook. officers on deck and sailors
= the sparse rigging of the DESTROY
ars. suddenly ont OF the light Aa."
oomed ;he great white Cu-;iss ol-
olanc-known rs n" Belmont
-accr-EyinC high. and in direct
,TJirsc for tie Cuban city. thr mo.
.or's c,a;ts7 being distinctly i.e ..d
~ those on n. ships. A cheer
--"e.cd n: aviator. and he re1l!c
w:th wavc OF his =lo:e. In q min
ito The hird.;'l. craft was .ost 4 the
distance ;owa:t. the Crban shore.