Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-04-07
Aviation for Naval Purposes.


eff the army requires hawks. the navy
wants web-footed hawks to alight on and
to rise from the water
This statement has a double signif-
canoe. It comes from a member of the
royal family, who is also q vice admiral
Prince Louis of Battenburg. When the
prince few weeks ago spoke these words
he was doubtless already conversant with
the preparations the admiralty were max
ing in connection with the development
of aviation for naval purposes. What
better proof, then. can be given of the
earnestness with which the British sea
lords are entering on the great task OF
building q feet of hydro-aeroplanes-ai
going as well as seagoing flying machines
which are destined to become. in course
Of time, Indispensable auxiliaries to the
dreadnOughtS.
It is, I take it, unnecessary to dwell on
the urgency and Importance of utilizing
web footed hawks in the navies of the
world. The services which the newly dis
covered amphibious mechanical bird can
render as scouts attach to a squadron.
or in connection with coast defense, are
self-evident. 1t has, indeed. been pre-
dicted that the new type of air craft has
before it a future even greater than that
Of the land machine, pure and simple.
The most striking proof. perhaps. OF the
interest which is now taken In hydro.
time a tournament reserved for this type
Of aircraft took place at Monaco some
ten days ago.
That the hydro-aeroplane will in the
navies of the world has recently been
demonstrated by the remarkable expert
ments carried out in America, In France
and, on a lesser scale. In this country.
The machine itself differs but little In
shape and size from the now familiar
monoplane or biplane. but In order to
enable it to alight on and rise from
water 1t is fitted with specially con-
structed floats or pontoons.
Curtiss Machine Lauded.
In the newest and, up to now. most
successful type Of hydro-aeroplane-th
Curtiss-the machine is fitted With twin
tractor screws. 1t has developed a speeo
of sixty miles per hour in the air and
fifty miles over the sea. Plotting ma
chine Of this type. Paulhan. the hero OF
the London to- Manchester air race, new
recently from Juan-les-Pius to NICE
alighting on his way in the Medlter'
ranean. Starting up again, he descended
on the surface of the sea, ana rose
easily and gracefully, flying back to his
headquarters at Juan-lesf1us. IN v.eM
of the success achieved. he intends, 1t Is
said, to fly. this summer from CALAIS &c
London, to alight in the channel and
thence make his way to the British CAPT
tai descending finally on the Thames
Numerous other instances OF the re
liability of the ydro-aeroplane mlgh,
be given, such as the tests carried ou'
bv the American aviator. Coffyn, on the
lower Hudson river. On the Seine, neal
Paris, Cooliex. driving Voisin ca
nard" conducted series OF equaAy
successful experiments.
In this country excellent work mas
already been done in the same d1rec-
ton by Oscar Gnosspelius on Lake
Windemere; Commander Schwann al
Barrow. on an aero-biplane, and Lieut.
I,ongmore, who has made several
flights on a Short machine, from the
Eastchurch aerodrome. alighting or
the water in Sherness harbor anc
then flying back to Eastchurch.