Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1911-01-19
AN AEROPLANE
ON CRUISER
A Successful Demonstration
By Aviator Ely
DONE WITHOUT A HITCH
The Landing on the Deck of
the Pennsylvania in San
Francisco Bay Establishes
the Utility of the Flying
Machine

I san EEdIClSCOi Jan. lo.-f lying IN Il
Curtiss racing bi-plane Eugene Ely
today MADE successful landing on the
cruiser Pennsylvania and an hour later
rose from the deck and flew back to
Selfridge field. twelve miles away.
The feat was accomplished without
mishap Not a wire or bolt of the
delicate mechanism was injured and
the seeming ease OF the whole perform
ance lessened the spectacular effect.
Easy enough" said Ely as he
stepped from the seat and was seized
by the cheering soldiers of the Thirtieth
infantry and hoisted on their shoulders.
Il think the trick could be successful
| ly turned nine times out of ten" Ely's
flight was the feature of the program
Of the aviation meet.
The day was smoky but MINDLESS and
the air was heavy. 1t was 1O:45 when
he left the ground He rose easily, his
motor working perfectly. After a few
trying out circles, he assembled rapidly
and heading nOrtheastward swept over
the San Bruno hills and disappeared.
In the meantime wireless notified the
cruiser at anchor with the fleet in
the bay. that he would make the at
tempt. and final preparations were
made for his reception. a wooden
platform I3O feet long and so feet wide
/ was constructed over the after-deck of
the ship II sloped gently aft, and
across the floor were stretched ropes
with 100pound sandbags made fast at
either end. These were designed to
be caught by the hooks of the lower
framework of the bi-plane AS a further
precaution, "a canves barrier was
stretched across the forward end of
the platform. Launches and the ships
boats were fully manned and put out
in the event of a mishap.
Ely had installed two pontouns I'M
der the planes to float the bi-plane in
case OF a forced descent on the water.
and forward he had built hydroplane
To keep the aeroplane from diving.
At 1855 the look on the Pennsyl-
vania sighed the flyer through the
haze. and the ships siren roared a blast
of welcome He came at ter
rifle speed and a mOmant later cir
cled around the fleet dipping in salute
to each ship and came up in the wind
for the stern of the Pennsylvania. He
was flying low as he neared the ship.
and he dropped down as lightly as
gull striking the platform about forty
feet from the end. The hooks ar
ranged in the center piece of the areo-
plane did their work perfectly. The
machine skipped about half of the ropes
but caught ten of THEM and was
brought TO stop within twenty-five
feet.
When Ely touched the deck he was
going thirty-five miles an hour, but
so gradually was the speed checked by
the dragging sandbags as they were
picked up i'm succession that he was
brought to a stop without disarrang-
ing any part of the machine. In fact,
Ely could have started on the return
trip five minutes after landing. After
submitting to the ordeal of being snap
shotted Ely was taken below to the
captains cabin, where he was guest
at luncheon.
In the meantime the machine was
turned around, the hooks on the bottom
removed and the gasoline replenished.
Exactly one hour from the time he
landed, Ely took his seat in the ma
chine. and gave the word let go. The
aeroplane swept down the platform at
high 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 1000 feet, Ely circled over
the southern part of the city and then
headed straight for the aviation field.
He landed at 1918. The cruisers wire
less had advised the officials of the
departure and they were ready for him
A full company of the Thirtieth in
fantrv swooped down on him as he dis
mounted and bore him in triumph on
their shoulders to Major O'Neiirs tent.
An informal reception at the majors
tent followed. Toasts were drunk and
Ely was made member Of the mess.
Ely had intended to land while the
cruiser was under way. but Captain
Pond of the Pennsylvania deemed it
unwise to maneuver in the harbor
Among the guests on board the cruis
er were Rear Admirals Milton and
Reese. both retired, and each said Elys
feat demonstrated beyond doubt the
utility of the aeroplane in naval at
fairs.