The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-06-01
RAVENS THRILLS GAY THR0NG WITH
 HYDRO-AER0PLANE
Brave Young Aviator's Machine Hurdles Sound Craft Like
 Huge Grasshopper
Skins Surface of Sound at Ex- press Train Speed Leaving Long White Ribbon in Wake--Other Open-
 ing Attractions

Stories of the fabulous auk, that giant bird of whom Sinbad the Sailor. told stirring tales, were vividly re- called by spectators lining the shores of Sea Breeze Island yesterday when Beckwith Ravens, an unassuming young chap mounted in Curtiss hy- dro-aeroplane, thrilled thousands in the first exhibition of the sort ever given in New England.
 As the chief feature of the four days carnival marking the opening of Sea Breeze Island for the season. the hydro-aeroplane spectacle proved an unquestionable success Three flights were included ill the program arrrang- ca oy that veteran aeronaut. Cap tam Thomas s. Baldwin, who direct ed young Havens' movements Bridge port has had several glimpses of avia- tors in various types of machines, but not before have Bridgeporters seen the fascinating sport of hydro-aero- plane flight. looks for all the world like an old style high sled covered with canvas the bi-plane, of accepted Curtiss type is kept on a balance in the water through the skill of the pilot, who has the aid of small cartridge shap- ed tin auxiliary pontoon at either end of the lower plane This insures the stability Of the craft as she skins the water. Power comes from a 70 h. D.. Curtiss aero-motor
 It was but a few minutes after two o'clock yesterday afternoon when start to MT. Ravens, the machine, as- sembled near the Sea Breeze bathing house, vas rolled down the beach upon a set of pneumatic wheels pro- vided for the purpose, and launched into the water as Ravens took his seat.
 Hundreds crowded directly behind the machine while thousands were along the board walk, fearful that the darkening skies would open with their downpour before the flight could be- gin. -G4.
 "All ready' sang 4Havens.
 A mechanician gave the propeller a turn. The motor began to bark sharply, the propeller raced so fast that the blades became invisible, and women screamed as the strong wind of the propeller blew their skirts, sent their hats flying and made men run through the sand to recover their holiday straws.
 With the seeming stability of a To- comotive running OF ballast road bed. the plane shot away from shore. With increasing speed the machine horse, then as the pilot warped his planes slightly. the fore part of the pontoon left the water. > The heel dragged. stirring up a long white rib- bon in the blue surface of the sound. Then with another tilt of the plane, himself in his first flight with soar ing out towards the Middleground light, up and down the shores. and finally back to his landing place.
 The second flight began about 5 o'clock. This time there was pas senger. MT. Winthrop M. southworth assistant secretary of the Aero Club of America, was the guest of Avia- tor Ravens. They made another flight notable for it's circling of Sea Breeze borne faintly down from a height of 1000 feet. brought hundreds of pa irons of the various concessions rush. ing into the open to get full view of the machine.
 Most. spectacular of all was the final F. Shenevert of Detroit. "a personal friend of Aviator Ravens, accompa- nied him on a five mile jaunt in a southeasterly direction. Havens skim med the water for half a mile, then rose gracefully over a motorboat, like | d a straightaway run gradually scared to 800 feet. After seven minutes he retraced his course having circled a sound steamer the while. Reaching Sea Breeze at an elevation of 500 feet. he sighted the excursion steamer Rose dale coming down the harbor.
 Ravens made half turn, ran into the harbor. and at 800 feet elevation, cut a pretty figure eight over the Rosedale. Then. soaring upward about 100 feet, he, began a dizzying spectacle the spiral dip, which ter headlong dive. When he had come within 100 feet of the water, he right ed his planes and started shoreward on a course gradually descending to- wards the water. A schooner lay half a mile off shore, with several people on deck watching his flight. Ravens pointed straight for the vessel, and bearing down upon it, seemingly invit- ed crash, but displaying the same wonderful central that had marked all his work, he hoped over the craft. then gradually descended at slacken- plunged into the sound Skimming along like a giant duck he propelled himself to within, 100 feet of shore. then shut off his motor and drifted into the hands of his mechanicians who were awaiting him. Cheers and
 
 Aviator Havens will make three flights daily until he closes his local engagement Sunday evening" The management plans to have the flights begin shortly after midday and con tinue them at intervals favored by the weather conditions, with the last flight as late as it's completion in the daylight will permit.
 The opening of Sea Breeze Island yesterday attracted an attendance es- timated at upwards of 15,00O people. Had the weather been favorable. in dications are that the attendance would have been greater than ever be- fore in the history of the resort. Des- bite terrible downpour in the early afternoon. and lowery weather throughout the evening, the Island was alive with holiday throngs, and the concessionairss. many of whom had an opportunity to get ready for the rush. did thriving business.
 At 12:30 string of automobiles con- taining officers and guests of the new management left the Hotel Stratfield headed by the Wheeler & Wilson band and with the Frank W. Robbins Wild West outfit bringing up the rear paraded from the center of the city to tAA Iaaaad- Hundreds had preceded