Evening journal., 1915-09-21
Makes Record IN
OVER-WATER FLIGHT
Robt. f. Glendinning Starts
Contest for the CurtiSS
Flying Trophy
FOG BLOCKED
HIS BEST WORK

Robert e. Glendinning, banker and
member of the Aero Clubs of Pennsyl-
vania and America, gave to the Aero
Club of Pennsylvania the honor of
having the first entry in tho contest
for the Cu-tiss Flying Trophy and also
had the honor of establishing the
first record for this trophy, which is
the first ever offered in America for
flying over water. Mr.. Glendinning
opened the contest yesterday by es-
tablishing a record of 100 miles under
exceedingly poor flying conditions and
aying in the hardest kind of luck.
The course extended from the Cor
nthian Yacht Club, at .lssington, to
the Mariti e Exchange Office, at New
Castle, a distance of 20 miles each
way or % miles a lap. Until Sunday
night no decision had been reached
as to what day the attempt to capture
the trophy should be made, but condi-
tions then appeared so favorable that
it was decided to make the flight
yesterday, and Mr.. Glendinning, ac-
companied by President Joseph A.
Steinmetz and Clarence Wynne, OF the
Aero Club. of Pennsylvania, went to
the formers hangar opposite the
yacht club to prepare for the fight,
intending to start at an early hour.
All preparations were made by 5.45
o'clock, but a heavy fog had settled
over the river, and it was not until
SAG that the machine rose into the
air. Mr. Glendinning sailed down the
river at a height of about 200 feet
above the water in order that he
could distinguish his surroundings
He rounded the buoy at New Castle
and started the return trip, arriving
at Essington at 9.36ls, consuming
80 and one-haif minutes for the trip.
He then rose higher and started
down again. Instead of lifting as the
sun became stronger, the fog settled
down heavier over the water and there
was not a vestige of breeze to aid the
banker in his flight He made the
second trip and returned to the Yacht
Club at 1895 o'clock, where he was
forced to descend for gasoline and oil
When he again attempted to resume
flight he found that the machine
would not leave the surface of the
water. Investigation proved that
there was a large amount of water in
the hull OF the boat and also that the
radiator had sprung a leak. The boai
was hauled to the hangar, the water
emptied and the radiator repaired. b,
this time the fog had settled heavier
than before and it was decided tC
wait until il rose before he went VI
again. The sun finally broke through
at nearly O'Clock and at 2.20 o'clocl
he again left the water to resume hii
flight.
II was thought that with severa
hours Of light remaining there was
chance of setting up a record of a
least $50 miles. This time he ros'
much higher from the water so as L
gain the advantages Of any breezt
hat might be blowing, but condition.
we're not any better above. He circles
the buoy at New Castle and returned
then made another lap, and as h
neared the yacht club il was seel
that he was flying lower, apparentl,
preparing to descend, although he dil
not appear TO be in trouble. When h
landed on the surface of the water
was seen that the silk on one of tn
stabilizing planes, alongside of tn
rudder. was badly ripped One Of tn
flyers present said that this was prob
ably caused by small hole which tn
force of the air had ripped MI
Glendinning said he could have gon
farther If it had been necessary.
This was the first attempt made {
win the Curtiss trophy. which was OF
fered by Glenn H. Curtiss for tn
longest fight in any day Of 10 hours
flying over water, although the figf
did not have to be continuous. tn
trophy is retained by the Aero Club {
America, but becomes the property {
the club whose members win it fc
three consecutive years. A prize {
$1,000 or its equivalent goes to III
flyer each year. The trophy is
solid silver and is valued al $4,000.