New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1914-06-24
OVER.OCEAN FLYER
MEETS FIRST TEST
Rodman Wanamaker's Big
Hydro-AeropIane Makes
Fine Flights.
rRv TeIegraph 10 TIE. tribune ]


Hammondsport, \. Y, june 70
America. the first hydro-aeroplane 10
be completed for the aerial conquest OF
the Atlantic, was flown for the hrst
time to-day. Rising from she surface
of Lake Keuka. under the guidance OF
Glenn II. Curtiss, the machine MADE
series Of short fights, carrying as
passengers Lieutenant John Cyril
Porte and George E. A. Hallett, VINO
are TO navigate the great plane on its
yovare from Newfoundland to England
next month. ..
After the first experiment the craft
was run ashore, and Lieutenant Porte
took the wheel for second hight. on
this trip Porte had Hallett and James
Lamont. one of the Curtiss experts
with him. The largest crowd ever as
sombled in Steuben County thronged
tho aviation field. and as the big red
fving boat left the water the cneers
rose in such volume that they could De
heard above the roar of the two 100
horsepower motors which drove the
machine.
Several flights were made, and the
machine behaved finely. After the final
flight. which covered about two miles,
and in which the machine was flown
more than one hundred feet in the
cir. Lieutenant Porte made this com
ment:
"She is as strong as blooming
rock. She has tons OF horsepower and
is very stable. The fight was beauti-
ful and it was hard to keep her down.
She is the finest machine | ever was
in"
From early morning until 3 O'Clock
in the afternoon mechaniclans WORKED
like beavers to prepare the Rodman
Wanamaker boat for its initial voyage
Weather conditions were perfect
Throngs Watch the Flight.
Al 2:3O o'clock the mechanician'
hogan 10 fill the fuel tanks and pour
water into the radiators. The crowd
surged forward, paying no attention TO
warnings to keep back, and packed
itself densely about the machine.
At 2 o'clock. TO the minute, the giant
Aver was started down the ways. Inc
snectators pressed to the waters edge.
while scores Of motor boats scurried
down the lake, giving the scene the
anpearance of club regatta. In Few
moments the whole valley resounded
With the noise Of the big motors OF
the Wanamaker machine, and at 3:Vo
o'clock the ocean flyer started of un-
der her own power.
Mr.. Curtiss was cautious, as the con-
trolls were new to him. and for more
than twenty minutes he 'planed up and
down the lake without trying to Int
tho machine into the air. Finally, at
40 o'clock. while the boat was about
a mile from the hangers and the
watching multitude, the elevator was
seen to rise, and, without apparent el-
fort. the monster plane rose easily
and sailed steady through the air. The
trials were successful in every respect
Mr.. Curtiss was happy tonight
After Lieutenant Porte had taken the
ubeel Curtiss stood smiling and gaz-
ing at the big bird.
"Of course. feel relieved to see her
nm there" said Mr.. Curtiss. "Whiie !
nd expected the machine to fly prop
crlv. the realization is mighty well
come"
Flies Under Half Power.
Mr.. Curtiss said that only half of
tho available power had been used to-
Law. and that the machine had flown
With her motors turning an average OF
only 500 revolutions. The total weight
carried was $500 pounds, which leaves
a margin more than ample for the in
creased load to be carried on the
transatlantic trip.
The engines were running at vary
ING speeds, and the fact that this did
not affect the controls has made it
nlain that il one motor should go out
Of commission on the ocean flight the
machine still could be navigsted with
out much trouble.
MIR. Curtiss said that the vision from
the pilothouse was excellent. but that
another window would be cut in the
Continued on page 5, column