American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1914-03-05

II is. therefore, gratifying to find that the water
aeroplane. the hydro-aeroplane and the flying boat
seem destined to save life.
The hydro-aeroplane began its career as a life
saver in 1911. while still in the experimental
period. II was during the famous Chicago meet
an aviator lost control while flying over Lake
Michigan and fell into the water. Three-quarters
OF a mile away there was a hydro-aeroplane, the
early Curtis model-the prototype OF the flying
boat-circling around and occasionally settling on
the surface OF the water like a big seagull. The
pilot of this craft. seeing the aviator's fall, went
to the rescue. Flying at a mile a minute speed,
he reached the spot, landed on the water by the
submerged a%eroplane and offered to take the
aviator to land-all In less than one minute!
Some months later, on March 6. 1912. two avia-
tors fell In San Diego bay while flying and their
machine capsized. An aviator on the shore saw
the accident, jumped on his hydro with his
mechanic and flew to the rescue. landing a min
ute later by the "shipwrecked' two.
The first demonstration of actually resculng a
person not connected with aviation was given on
October 10, 1912. by Charles Valid, instructor in
the Wright school OF water flying. at the Glenwood
Country club. A man named Walter Strohbach
fell into the harbor from n rowboat In which he
was seeking diversion with a friend. The row
boat was half n mile off the shore at Sea Clin and
fully a mile from the Glenwood Country club,
when, miscalculating his position, Mr.. Strohbach
attempted to sit further on the stern Of the boat.
with the result that he fell overheard. Although
ms frlenu tried 10 reacn MS companion. q strong
current carried them apart. Shouts along the
shore told Of the plight OF the young man. who
was exhausted In the chilly water. Mr.. Charles
Valid, learning OF the occurrence while at the
hangar preparing to make a flight. jumped into
his machine and flew to the man In the water,
who could be seen from the club station.
Alighting In the hydroaeroplane on the water
near Strohbach, the aviator first threw a life pre-
server 10 the young man. who was scarcely able
to keep ahoat. then, bringing the machine along
side, managed to get him aboard one OF the floats
OF the biplane and brought him safely to the
Wright station.
Boats leaving the shore did not reach the
scene OF the accident until the hydro-aeroplaue
was well on its way to shore with the rescued.
MIR. Glenn IL, Curtiss, the dean Of water flyers
and creator Of both the hydroaeroplane and flying
boat. was the hero OF a lifesaving act last June,
rescuing two occupants of a broken down motor
boat with the big four passenger flying boat OF Mr..
Harold +. Mccormick. MIR. Curtiss and MIR. c. c.
Wilmer were flying over Lake Keuka in the boat
TO test IL and were running for home ahead OF a
coming thunder shower when. a mile from shore.
they noticed a motor boat in which two men
were waving wildly.
Curtiss brought the flying boat to the water and
stopped near the motor boat. The men said their
motor was broken and they wanted some one sent
out TO row them ashore. Mr.. Wilmer crawled out
ON the tail OF the flying boat and took a rope from
the motor boat, which he held while Curtiss drove
the flying boat a mile TO the shore,
The motor boat was left there and. taking the
men aboard. MIR Curtiss flew back to Hammonds-
port.
The airboat and hydro-aeroplane may be said
to be the logical adjunct of life-saving stations
and, therefore, absolutely necessary. As an es-
sental purpose OF a life-saving station is to re-
lieye wrecks and save people from drowning.
speed In doing IL Is the essence OF efficiency The
aeroplane-the water kinds revolutionary In
this respect II can fly to the spot where relief
Is needed at the rate OF a mile a minute, and the
aiman who sees every detail OF what goes on be-
low can either land by the object or rescue or Just