New-York tribune., 1911-01-19
ELY VISITS CRUISER
IN AEROPLANE FLIGHT
Not a MiShap Marks Significant
Trip to and from the
Pennsylvania.
LANDING PLATFORM ON DECK
Ropes Stopped Aviator Within
Sixty Feet-Easier to Land
on Vessel Under Way,
He Says.

San Francisco, Jan. 1S.-Eugene B.
Ely to-day flew thirteen miles in an
aeroplane, landing successfully on the
deck of the cruiser Pennsylvania. An
hour later he arose from the cruiser and
few back to his starting point, at Sell
fridge field, twelve miles south OF San
Francisco. The entire trip covered
twenty-six miles.
The feat was accomplished without
mishap. Not a wire or bolt of the BIZ
plane was injured.
1T was easy enough" said Ely as he
stepped from his seat after his return
and was seized by cheering soldiers and
hoisted on their shoulders. II think the
trick could be successfully turned nine
times out of ten"
Ely's fight had been postponed from
day to day, but he decided to-day that
atmospheric conditions were favorable.
The air was hazy.
II was 1915 o'clock when he left the
aviation grounds His motor worked
perfectly, and after a few circles he
headed northeast, swept over the San
Bruno Hills and disappeared toward San
Francisco.
Cruiser Advised by Wireless.
In the mean time the wireless advised
the cruiser, at anchor with the fleet in
tn, bay, that he would make the at
tempt, and final preparations were made
70" his reception.
A wooden platform. 13O feet long and
30 feet wide, had been constructed over
the afterdeck of the ship. It sloped
gently aft, and across the floor were
stretched ropes, with one hundred pound
sandbags made fast at either end.
These were designed TO be caught by
hooks on the lower framework of the
biplane.
AS a further preCaution a canvas bar
rier was stretched across the forward
end Of the platform. Launches and ships
boats fully manned were put out 10 be
ready in case Of mishap. Ely had in
stalled two seven-foot pontoons under
his aeroplane 10 float the machine in
case he should be forced to descend on
the water, and forward he had built a
hydroplane to keep the aeroplane from
diving in the water.
At 105S o'clock the lookout on the
Pennsylvania sighted Ely through the
haze, and the ships siren roared a blast
of welcome. He came on at a terrific
speed and crcled around the fleet. dip
ping in salute TO each ship, and came up
In the wind for the stern of the Penn
sylvania.
He was flying low as he neared the
ship, and dropped down lightly. striking
the platform about forty feet from the
inner end The hooks on the aeroplane
caught the ropes and stopped the biplane
within sixty feet.
When Ely touched the deck he was
going about thirty-five miles an hour,
but so gradually was the speed checked
by the dragging Of the weighted ropes al
they were caught in succession that he
came to a standstill without disarrang-
ing any part Of the machine
Rush to Meet Ely.
There was a great outburst OF cheers
and a rush Of officers, visitors and sailors
10 greet the aviator.
one Of the first 10 reach Flv was h,s
wife, who was on the bridge with CAPTAIN
Pond.
After he had been photographed by
numerous men Ely was taken 20 the
captains cabin. where he was the guest
at luncheon
In the mean time his machine was
turned around the hooks on the bottom
Of the centrepiece were removed and the
gasolene was replenished.
Exactly one hour from the time he
landed on the cruiser. Ely took his seat
in tho machine and gave the word 10
let go. The aeroplane swept down the
130-foot platform al nigh speed. dropped
off the stern with a gentle dip. and then
rose rapidly over the ships in the harbor.
The start was as perfect as the landing
had been.
Rising to a height Of two thousand
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