The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-02-19
NJ CURDY AND
BEACH[Y. READY
FOR THE FLIGHT
ARRIVE IN TAMPA, WHERE THEY
WILL GIVE EXHIBITION PRIOR
TO ATTEMPTING ANOTHER
OVER THE WATER FLIGHT,

j. "A. II. MCCuToys tho noted aviator.
who recently startled the world by his
bold fight over the Gulf of Mexico
between Key West. Fla, and Havana,
Cuba, covering a distance Of ninety
miles OF oversea hight. arrived in Tam
pa on the steamship Olivetts late yes
terday. accompanied by Lincoln
Beachey, A. L. 8. McCurdy and four
mechanicians. making party Of seven.
Says the Tampa Times. The mechanic
clans are Elmer Robinson and Doc
Wilman, VINO attend to the needs Of
McCurdy's aerial chargers, and Lynn
Bauder and Jean Codet, who have
charge Of the Beachery machines. Both
aviators use the Curtiss biplanss.
The first place in Tampa that Mr.
McCurdy-the two McCurdys rather
visited. after coming up from the
Port. was The Times ONCE. They
dropped in. accompanied by Col T. ].
L. Brown, who has made the final ar
rangements for their coming. Nobody
was more surprised at the arrival CT
the Messrs. McCurdy and Beachey and
their little party yesterday afternoon
than was Colonel Brown. He expected
one of the party, but not Lincoln nor
the McCurdy's as 1t was generally un-
derstood that they would BIZ In on Sat
urdays steamer.
In Fine Trim.
The famous aviator, who IL q young
man yet in his twenties. IL in excellent
health. He said he had quite enjoyed
his visit in Cuba, and talked interest
ingly of the recent great flight which
he made from Key West almost to
Havana. It will be remembered that
McCurdy had to stop his biplane and
descend when but ten miles from Ha-
vana, after having negotiated ninety
miles Of air passage, because of the
failure yof his oil supply, and that he
was picked up by the torpedo boat de-
stroyer Terry. The Terry. the Pauld-
ing and the Drayton marked out his
course between Key West and Havana.
and were ready at various distances
along the route to pick him up in case
of disaster.
Speaking Of his experience, Mr.. Nc
Curdy said: "Of course I greatly re-
greet that my flight did not quite get
me into Havana, but it was one Of
those unavoidable accidents, or rather
incidents. because my plane was all
right after my descent to the water
the torpedo boat. It was partly dc
stroyed when brought over the side Of
the boat, though the ACCIDENT was un-
avoidable
My stay in Havana, where circle.i
over the city on several occasions dur
Ing the past two weeks. as was record
ed In the papers. was very pleasant.
anticipate very pleasant time here,
and Mr.. Bachery and myself will make
flights that will test our abilities to
he utmost. / understand you have
-er. had any aeroplane flights here
lore. Therefore I anticipate large
Brought Thrss Machines.
How many machines did you
bring?" asked the reporter.
I'VE brought two biplanes over on
the Olivette, and q reserve machine
will arrive on the next boat. All Of
these machines are high. powered and
capable Of being driven at a high rate
Of speed"
what time can you make with
these biplanes?" Mr.. McCurdy was
asked.
"well. under favorable conditions, I
have made at the rate Of seventy-tw
miles an hour" was the answer. "Of
course we cannot always 60 at that
rate, and there has been greater speed
made. It all depends upon air confii-
tons"
Conditions Hers Ideal for Fliahts.
McCurdy was asked what he though.
of conditions here for SUCCESSFUL
flights.
while have had no experfanoe In
Florida. Mr.. Beachey has. and from
what he tells me believe We Will
have ideal conditions here. Our flights
ought to be very successful