Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-08-06
BEACHEY Wins RACE
Flies From New York to PhiIa-
deIphia in BipIane.
MAKES TRIP IN GOOD TIME
Covers Ninety-Five Miles in Two
Hours and twenty-five Seconds.
DEFEATS TWO COMPETITORS
Hugh Robinson and Eugene Ely
Others in the Contest-Wins
Prize Of $4,000.
MAKES TRIP IN GOOD TIME
DEFEATS TWO COMPETITORS

PHILADELPHIA, August 5.-Lincor
Beachey. the hero of many thrilling per
formances in the air, won the first long
distance cross country aeroplane race ever
held in the United States this afternoon
when he flew from New York to Phiia-
delpha, defeating Hugh Robinson and
Eugene Ely. Beacheys time from :ii::SC
street and Broadway, New York, to 9th
and Market streets. Philadelphia -abou1
ninety-five mies-was hours, 80 2-5 sec
onds. Ely did not finish. He came down
near Princeton Junction. N. J., with mo-
tor trouble, and did not go up again. All
three used Curtiss biplanes
The race, which was for a prize OF
5000, was witnessed by hundreds OF
thousands of people in New York. along
the route and in this city. 1t is esti-
mated that $1,000 persons were massed
on Belmont plateau, in Paramount Park
where the aviators descended. Beachey
was given an enthusiastic reception when
he came to earth winner.
Assembled From Governors Island.
The birdmen made their ascent from
Governors Island in New York bay. 1t
was originally planned that the men to
son and Charles X. Hamilton, who made
the first aeroplane flight from New York
to Philadelphia a year ago. but at the
not participate. He did not like the pros
pect of taking up a new machine in a
tricky wind, and after some delay Ely
consented to take his place.
The start was made from the island at
2:p pm. The aviators headed north to
n
they were officially timed as they passed
over the roof of a department store.
With graceful swing the birdmen turn
ed to the southwest and were off in a
straight line to New Jersey. Once across
the Hudson river they picked up the
Pennsylvania railroad tracks and follow
ed them.
Near New Brunswick Ely was forced to
make a landing because Of engine trou-
BILE. and Robinson descended, mistaking
New Brunswick for Trenton. Beachey' S
engine worked without a skip and he
came down near the Trenton fair grounds
for gasoline and OIL. He was on the
ground a little more than ten minutes.
and when he assembled again he followed
the railroad tracks to the Delaware river.
a mile away. There he turned south and
it was a straightaway sail of thirty-five
miles down the river to Philadelphia.
Waves Hand to Crowd.
Nearing this city, Beachey rose to high
er attitudes. and at Market street turned
west. AS he approached the finish line
he dipped several times and waved his
hand when ne rishted his machine. A
dense crowd was gathered on the street
at department store where the race
officially ended, and he was given a great
ovation as he passed over the roof and
kept on up Market street. IA the city
hall he circled the great tower which
rises high in the air. and then turned
his machine northwestward. In a few
minutes he was over Paramount Park
and made an easy landing within a roped
space on the Belmont plateau.
After the excitement of Beacheys COM
ing had subsidized there was a long wait
for the other men. Finally the signal
flags told the crowd along the route that
another birdman was coming 1t proved
to be Robinson. AS he passed over the
finish line he made a graceful dip. and
then flew on an air line to the park.