The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1911-01-30
Fearless Aviator Flies ManyMiles
Over the Sea on His Key
west to Havana Flight
Today
DROPS 10 MILES FROM HAVANA
Compelled to Alight Because of Short
ace of Oil-Neither He Nor His
BipIane Harmed-Greatest
Trip OF the Kind.

Keywest, Fla, Jan. 3O.--After a
week Of anxiety Aviator McCurdy. in
a Curtiss biplane. started on a flight
from Keywest to Havana at 1880
successful, flying to within ten miles
of Havana. He dropped TO the water,
undamaged. being compelled to do so
because his lubricating oil ran short.
He was picked up by the torpedo
boat destroyer Paulding from whose
deck. he attempted to make a new
start However. this proved imprac-
ticable, and after considerable delay
the Paulding brought the whole outfit
to Havana. Neither Mccurdy nor his
aeroplane were any the worse for hav-
ing flown so far over the sea-
His Feat Unprecedented.
McCurdy was within ten miles of
the Cuban coast and but short dis
tance further from his goal. Camp
Columbia aviation field, when he was
obliged to descend. Pontoons with
which 1t was equipped foated the
aeroplane until the destroyer Paulding
had overtaken the aerial craft.
McCurdy had covered approximately
eighty miles and though he failed TO
meet the requirements OF the competi-
tion he accomplished a feat unprece-
dented in cross seas flying. But for
the slip in the matter of supplies IL Is
not to be doubted the trip would have
been successful.
The Start.
1t is estimated that fully 10000 peo-
pie witnessed the start At Keywest
a light breeze was blowing and the
sea was smooth. Similar reports
came by wireless from Havana and
McCurdy decided to make the flight
orders were issued to the govern
ment boats at Keywest and they i'm
mediately took positions ten miles
apart. When word came by wireless
that the boats were ready, McCurdy
prepared for flight. Every brace and
wire on the biplane was thoroughly
tested. the motor tuned up and amid
a silence almost oppressive Mccur-
dy took his position in the aeroplane.
The engine started, an assistant gave
the propeller a couple of twists and
McCurdy after listening a moment to
the sound of the motor, raised his
hand as a signal TO the men holding
the machine to let IL go.
Swiftly the aeroplane ran along the
smooth ground for one hundred feet.
Then it rose from the earth and Nc
Curdy commenced 10 mount to the
sky. AS he left the ground the crowd
gave hearty cheer.
Most Difficult Sea Trip.
McCurdy waved his hand and was
off on the most difficult trip over sea
ever attempted. With tremendous
velocity the biplane shot out over the
waters. 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 a dispatch came he had
passed the third boat, thirty miles
from shore. and was flying smoothly.
another cheer was given.
AS moments flew and no further re-
ports came. the crowd grew anxious
and gathered about the cable office to
await reports from Havana
Prizes Aggregated $1,000.
Then came a wireless that the bird
man had fallen into the sea and a
groan went up from the crowd. Final
ly came the news that McCurdy was
forced TO alight on the water because
of shortage of lubricating oil and
that neither he nor his machine was
injured. At that the cheering was re-
ncwed. mingled with expressions of
regret that the attempt had failed
when McCurdy was within sight
of his goal. The fight was for a prize
of $4,000 offered by the Havana Post
and $4,000 appropriated by the Havana
city council
Trip Delayed Since Jan. "a.
McCurdy had originally planned to
start on January "a on a flight to
Last Tuesday morning. how
over. atmospheric conditions were
such that he decided IL would be un-
safe to make the attempt. Day after
day and night after night he awaited
reports that the wind was moderate
and the sea smooth. But the elements
refused TO be docile and McCurdy
waited impatiently.
The navy department took an active
interest in the proposed flight and
every facility at its command was
given to help. Tugboats and torpedo
boat destroyers were ordered TO act as
station boats ten miles apart, 10 mark
the course Of the flight.
Aviator Cool and Confident.
While the last details we're being
looked after McCurday stood about
LII.