New-York tribune., 1922-09-07

ocean fight of the NC boats, eve want
to tighten up the towboat so we'll get
more speed
Mccullough, in another high-speed
boat, swept up to the side of the tow
ing craft and took aboard one of the
crew and several odds and ends of
unnecessary equipment, battery, life
preservers and anchor and several
tools.
Promises to Cut Loose
ana going to cut loose this time. "
promised Curriss. He was towed down
the bay again, swung about, but lust
as he got started the towing line
snapped. This happened several times.
The end of TINS line was fastened to
two wires cleated on each side of the
glider hull. Presently all was adjust.
ed once more and the power boat was
off, her bow high out of the smooth
water of the bay. This time the flyer
was up forty-three seconds, when the
spectators saw him lean forward. arms
outside the hull. and a second later
the sunlight was reflected from the
wet line snarling into many coils as
the glider pilot cast off. Fer a breath
taking instant the craft continued
ahead and then dropped sharply, tax
ing the water with single splash.
Caleb Bragg, chairman of the con-
test committee of the Aero Club Of
America, in horn trimmed spectacles,
came scooting up to the experimenter
about that time in his ffty-five mile
an hour, mahogany hull, iberty-
notored Casey Jones.
"Put your line on here" invited
Bragg, backing his muttering boat up
to the glider. The line was adjusted.
Gilmore got aboard and they started
off again. The line broke several times
more, but finally the sailplane lifted
itself for the fourth time and glided
along for thirty-five seconds and for
nearly quarter of mile.
Goes for Stouter Line
Enough for one day. said Mr.. Cur
to Port Washington after a stouter
line. 1t was a four-mile journey, but
the boat travelled like streak Of light.
Padding himself ashore Mr. Curtiss
explained that in the future the deli
cate sensory system of soaring birds
might be adapted by man through some
form of antenna to be placed on the
bows of gliders, to enable human flyers
to take advantage of all variations in
air currents.
"I do not think. you need up-cur-
rents" said Mr.. Curtiss. "The buzz
zard, soaring over land, uses these a
great deal. That is what they have
been doing in Germany in gliding
down mountains. Currents of air
blowing up the mountain side provide
just the lift the glider requires. But
the albatross soaring from the crest
of a wave has some secret which we
hope to learn. When we do, sail plan
ing will be q popular sport for every
body"
When the Casey Jones returned
with new and stouter line Mr.. Cur
tiss was disinclined to make another
try, but got into the cockpit to handle
the glider on the return to the hangar
at Port Washington. He had gone
about a mile when he discerned q
breeze. He signaled to those aboard
the Casey Jones to give him more line
and pick up speed. In q flash he was
in the, air again. For, about half a
minute he sailed along like a kite on
the end of q string. Then he leaned
out-he was thirty feet up--cast off
the tow and for nine history making
seconds glided unassisted over the
water. The smacks of the duralumin
hull taking the water again were as
applause in his ears.
"We'll, try her again in day or so
when the wind is blowing and then
there1l be some real gliding" prom
ised the experimenter.