The Mathews journal. (Mathews C.H. [Court House]) 1903-1937, 1911-01-26
AVIATOR FLIES
ABOARD VESSEL

DAN FfSkAkNO1SCOs SAlA, SRESlALF-
Eugene Ely accomplished a great feat
of aviation yesterday when he flew
twelve miles from shore to the deck
OF the cruiser Pennsylvania, anchor
ed in San Francisco Bay, made a per-
feet landing on the warship, and af-
ter turning about his machine launch
ed in the air again and few back to
the starting point.
The double flight occupied only an
hour and half. The greater part
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 off without
a hitch and sped the distance OF
twelve miles across the bay in six
teen minutes.
The Pennsylvania was the center
was alive with craft of all descrip-
tions.
Ely's machine was first sighted from
the warships at 1850 o'clock. The
plane broke through the mist and
swept up the bay like an enormous
gull, never wavering or faltering for
an instant
Flew Near the Water.
The air was smoky, and Ely few
so low that 1t was difficult to pick
him up until he was a 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 aeropiane'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 foot.
Ely New through the cruiser squad
ron very close to the water. He ap-
preached the Pennsylvania from her
bows. swept past her for a few hun
dred yards and then circled back
mounting slowly and settling lightly
on the big platform that covered the
ships after deck and projected tar
out over the stern. i
Ely landed so lightly that his BIZ
plane was hardly shaken. His ma
INV" was especially prepared for the
experiment.
Elaborate preparations to insure a
safe landing for the aviator on the
deck OF the cruiser were made.
Ely spent an hour in the Pennsyl-
Nania squad room and was cangratu-
lated by Rear Admirals Milton and
Reese, retired, and other officers Of
the Pacific fleet.
On his arrival al the camp he was
given a warm reception. A full COM
pany Of the Thirteenth Regiment
swooped down on the daring aviator
as he dismounted and bore him in
triumph on their shoulders to Major
ONeifs tent. There other troops were
lined mp to cheer him.
Informal Reception Held.
An informal reception i'm the tent
followed. Toasts were drunk and EIy
was made a member of the mess. Ma
jor O'Neill said:
Once before Ely sailed in an aero
plane from the deck OF a war vessel.
the first time that feat was ever &C
complished. Yesterday he landed on
the deck OF a war vessel and not only
dlu ne land successfully. but he re-
peated his former achievement by fly
ing into the air again. This day will
be an epoch mark in naval history.
We cannot say how IL will affect the
army, but here we pledge him"
After the toast was drunk the off
GERS crowded about Ely to hear his ac-
count OF the trip. Ely said:
1T was easy enough, and 1 think
the Trick could be turned successfully
nine times out of ten. The flight to
ire ship was made under almost per-
rect weather conditions, though / en-
countered difficulties in approaching
the Pennsylvania. The wind was on
the cruisers starboard side, and to ef-
feet a safe landing I saw II would be
unwlse TO alight squarely on the plat
FORM. So, after circling the ship, 1
came down quartering the platform
and with my planes pressed as fully
INTO the wind as possible. / missed
the hrst three ropes stretched to check
my momentum, but my graphing
hooks caught the other strands and
was brought no gently about sixty
feet from where ] first touched the
boards.
Can Land OH Moving Shin.
Enough did not require the full
surface of the 130-foot platform. / do
not think smaller one would be en-
tirely safe for such experiences. am
convinced, however, that had the shin
been in motion and sailing directly
INTO the wind my landing on the after
deck would have been made consid-
cradle easier"
nrRAaAl rnn HmInm