Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1911-01-30
Aviator Within 10 Miles
of Havana When
Forced Down.
STARTED AT KEY WEST
Picked Up Undamaged by Boat
After Setting an Oversee
Record.

Havana, Jan. 3O.-Aviator McCurdy
failed in his attempt to fly in a Curtiss
biplane from Key West 10 this city to
day. He exhausted his supply of lubri-
eating oil and came down after cover
ing most OF the distance. and was pick
ed up and brought into port uninjured,
and with his airship undamaged, by
the destroyer Paulding.
BUT 10 MILES To GO.
McCurdy was within 10 miles of the
Cuban coast and but a short distance
further from his goal, the Camp Co
lumbia aviation field, when he was
obliged to descend. The pontoons with
which It was equipped foated the aero
plane until the destroyer Paulding had
overtaken the craft. McCurdy and his
biplane were taken aboard, neither the
worse for the mishap.
TRIED NEW START.
At first II was thought the aviator
could make a new start from the deck
of the destroyer. but this proved i'm
practicable. and after considerable de-
lay the Paulding brought the whole
outfit into the harbor.
McCurdy had covered approximately
so miles, and though he failed to meet
the requirements of the competition. he
accomplished a feat in cross-seas fly
ing. But for a slip in the matter of
supplies ii is not TO be doubted the
trip would have been successful.
FINDS CONDITIONS RIGHT.
Key West, Florida, Jan. 30-After a
week OF anxiety Aviator McCurdv in
Curtiss bi-plane started on a fight
from Key West to Havana, at : 80 this
morning. At Key West a light breeze
was blowing and the sea was smooth.
Similar reports came by wireless from
Havana, and McCuTdy decided TO make
the flight. The distance is 112 miles.
BOATS 10 MILES APART.
Orders were issued to the
government boats at Key West and
they Immediately took a position 10
miles apart. When word came by wire
less that the boats were ready Nc
Curdy prepared for fight Every
brace and wire on the bi-pIane was
thoroughly tested, the motor tuned up
and, amid silence almost oppressive.
McCurdy took his position in the aero
plane. The engine was started, an as
sistant gave the propeller a couple of
twists. McCurdy listened a moment TO
the sound OF his motor, raised his hand
as a signal 10 the men holding his
machine TO let go.
CHEERED BY CROWD
Swiftly the aeroplane ran along
smooth ground 100 feet It then rose
from the earth. and McCurdy com
menced to mount TO the sky. AS he
left the ground the crowd gave a hear
~ cheer. McCurdy waved his hand
and was OFF on the most difficult trim
over the sea ever attempted With
tremendous velocity the bi-plane shot
out over the waters.
FIRST NEWS COMES.
Anxiously the crowd watched the
machine as il grew smaller and faded
from sight Anxiously they waited for
the first news by wireless and when
dispatch came he had passed the
third boat 80 miles from shore and was
flying smoothly another cheer was
given
McCurdy passed the Paulding. the de-
stroyer nearest the Cuban coast. at
1
Havana.
WAITED WEEK.
McCurdy had originally planned to
start Jan. "a on his flight to Havana.
Last Tuesday morning, however.
conditions were such that he decid-
ed ii would ne unsafe 10 make the
attempt, Day after day and night af-
ter night he waited for reports that
the wind was moderate and the sea
smooth, but the elements refused to
be docile and McCurdy waited inn
patiently.
NAVY INTEREsTED.
The navy department took active
interest IN the proposed flight and
every facility at its command was
given 10 help. Tugboats and tor
pedo boat destroyers were ordered 10
act as station boats 10 miles apart
TO mark the course OF the fight.
Early this morning they took their
stations
SIX BOATS Used.
First came the cutter. Forward.
% miles from shore. and then at
intervals OF 10 miles each were the
tug, Massassoit and torpedo boat de-
stroyers. Terry, GRAFTON. Roe and
Paulotng. While the last details
were being looked after McCurdy
stood about calmly smoking his pipe. !
cool and confident
AT 6:45 the machine was rolled
into place and five minutes later the 4
steam whistle ar an ice factory woke /
UP the town with f tremendous blast
ana almost the entire population