The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1911-01-21
FLIES TO WARSH|P
Ely, in AerOpIane. AlightS
on Cruise
THEN FLIES BACK TO LAND
Aviator AccOmplishes Great Feat
by Double Flight in Testing
Air Craft For War
Purposes.

San Francisco. Jan. 19.-Eugene b.
Ely accomplished a great feat OF avia-
ton when he flew twelve miles from
shore to the deck of the cruiser Penn
sylyania, anchored in San Francisco
bay. made a perfect landing on the
warship, and after turning about his
machine launched il In the air again
and few back 20 the starting point
The double fight occupied only an
hour and a half The greater part OF
that time was consumed on the cruiser
In preparing for the return flight
Ely, who is a native son and one OF
the Curtiss school of aviators, took
the air from Selfridge field, where the
Thirtieth infantry was encamped for
the occasion. He got of without a
hitch and sped the distance OF twelve
miles across the bay in sixteen min
utes.
The cruiser Pennsylvania was the
center Of a feet Of warships, and the
bay was alive with craft Of all descrip-
tons.
Ely's machine broke through the
mist and swept up the bay like an
enormous gull. never wagering or fall
tering for an instant
The air was smoky and the aviator
flew low, 50 that II was difficult to
pick him up until he was few miles
away. A blast from the Pennsylvania
siren. which was taken up by chorus
Of other whistles. gave the first warn
ing Of the aeroplane's approach At
brief intervals the sirens shrieked.
Then as the aeroplane scared down
toward the deck Of the cruiser they all
let go In a mighty toot.
Lands Lightly on Warshlp.
Ely flew through the cruiser squar-
ron very close to the water He ap-
preached the Pennsylvania from her
bows. swept past her for a few hun
,ireA yards and then circled back,
mounting slowly and settling lightly
on the big platform that covered the
ships after deck and projected far out
over the stern.
Ely landed so lightly that HIS BIZ
plane was hardly shaken. His ma
chine, a Curtiss. was especially pre-
pared for the experiment.
Elaborate preparations to insure
safe landing for the aviator on the
deck Of the cruiser had been made.
Ely returned to Selfridge field from
the Pennsylvania. His return was
without incident
When he allghted he received a
warm reception from the army officers
and troops Of the Thirtieth infantry
encamped on the grounds.
He said: This was easy. / could do
II every day"
The Pennsylvania lay at anchor In
the bay at the customary warship an
chorage. between Buena Vista island
and the city water front.
Great Crowd cheered Ely.
A great crowd had gathered on the
piers to watch the fight. and the
cheers Of the crowd as Ely alighted
on the warship with the graceful dip
OF a cormorant could be heard far out
on the water.
EIy's flight was perfect demonstra'
ton of control. and the aviator had no
difficulty at any stage.
When he assembled Ely put the inner
tube of an automobile tire around his
chest to serve as a life preserver II
needed. Two seven foot pontoons were
attached to the aeroplane, which also
carried a hydroplane to prevent up
setting II the machine struck the
water.
On Nov. 10 last Ely made the first
successful fight from ship to shore
when he flew from the forward deck
OF the scout cruiser Birmingham, an
chored in Hampton Roads OF OLD
Point Comfort, landing on the shore
opposite Fortress Monroe.