The Washington times., 1914-07-06
America Uses Single
Screw in a Test Flight

BY LIEUT.. JOHN CYRIL PORTE, R. N,
II was quite beyond my expectations
that the America should fly on one pro-
peller with anything like the load which
Mr.. C1Irtiss reported to me had car
Tied at Hammon1spcrt.
Five passengers and about 500 pounds
Of fuel comprise really a remarkable
test for one motor and propeller cen
tered four and half. feet from midway
Of the Widespread. Needless TO add, ]
am quite delighted at this further proof
Of my earlier statements that the Rod
man vanamaker seaplane possesses a
Eplendid reserve of power for the trans
Atlantic flight.
Could Scarcely Believe It.
When the news first came from Mr..
Curtiss / could scarcely believe 1t, for
the three extra man and the 500 pounds
~ fuel represent more than twice the
weight Of gasolene, oil. water and sup
plies that we shall carry.
The Americas compasses are tied up
by the American customs authorities.
The delay is not material, though some
what annoying. since 1t prevented Capt.
Creagh Osborne from going with me
20 Hammondsport to oversee adjusting
them in the air liners cabin
The American customs officials at
quebec were willing to let the instru-
Inents 60 through, but at the border it
was insisted that they should be
checked through in bond to New York,
SO they cannot be released until ar
ranEements are made some time today.
The visit of the compass expert of
the British navy may serve to call at
tention to the importance of the naviga-
tion problem in the overseas flight.
Captain Osborne was Ekeptical of the
possibility OF the fight until we showed
him what advances had been made in
the last few months. AS ! have men
uoned before, the admiralty gave me
great assistance on my last trip to Eng
and. In working out a system by which
I believe we shall be able to keep our
distance We were driven OF our course
by the wind.
Thinks Chances Excellent.
After we had gone over these prob
lens, Captain Osborne expressed the
opinion that IL the Americas engines
ere as good as / believe they are we
have an excellent chance OF crossing
the ocean on schedule.
By this I do not mean to lead navi-
gators TO think that 1 underestimate
the difficulties that confront Us. / am
aware that many very learned Inen
believe the obstacles are insuperaole.
u was, therefore, like a tonic to me
70 receive the reinsurance of Captain
Osborne. who has been so good as TO
I'VE his vacation to coming over 10
set our compasses and advise U.s.
AS q younger man / have great re-
Epect for Captain Osborne's expert
Gnce and for his recognized authority
on the problems that loom SO large in
the overseas attempt After we have
reached conclusions on some Of the
points still to be decided i shall at
..mpt to make ii clearer to the iay-
nan how We shall find our way 10
the little dots in the Atlai: ic called
the Azores.
The compasses which Captain, Os-
Dorns brought with him are 6upli
cates, one being held in reserve. They
ere made especially for the America
by Lord Kelvin's frm-the greatest
compass makers in the world, We
Eritishers believe.
Are Packed In Horse Hair.
They are light. to save weight, but
are much larger than any compass
reretofore used in aerial navigation; in
Fact. they have to be nearly as large
nd quite as efficient as the instru-
.lents on shipboard.
The vibration, which will be inces-
ssnt. is taken up by bedding them In
Aorsehair. but still they are delicate
Instruments, and Captain Osborne was
~ fearful Of damage that he brought
mem all the way by hand. and has
q, orried ever since the customs officials
look them out of his possession
see no hope now of the America be-
ing ready to ship from New YORK before
jI,iv IS hut III the work progresses
-avora5ly at Hammondsport for, the
next few days | still hope TO sail 1or
Z Johns next Saturday. :.