San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1924-04-19
ARMY OFFICER GIVES
HISTORY OF BALLOON
AND DISCUSSES RACES
Col. c. c. Culuer Speaks to
Some 200 at Conopus
Luncheon.

Col. G. c. Culver of the Eighth
Corps Area, spoke before 200 men,
bers and guests Of the Conopus Club,
Friday noon at the Menger, OIL
Heavier That Air Crafts and Bal
looms" his subject dealing mostly
with balloons and the National Bal
loon Race, to be held here next We'd
nesday.
He held up copy of the official
program for the balloon race. just off
the press. in which he stated that
practically everything he had to say
about the balloon race. could be found
in the descriptive writeup in the pro-
gram, and that they were TO be sold
for 20 cents each, and that his hear
ers must be content and satisfied with
the "two.bit" speech that he was
about to make.
"The first United States army bal
loon was purchasedsat cost of $23,-
600, In 1893, and taken to Fort Lo-
gan, Colorado, and little later, takr
en- to Fort Riley, Kansas, and in
1898, to Santiago, Cuba, during the
Spanish American War. where it was
used for observation. 1t was destroy
ed there during Storm" he said.
"Dirigible No. /, was built in 1906,
with the shed or hangar erected at
Omaha. 1t was cigar-shaped and
operated with only a pilot and en-
gineer. Airships of this type were
but slightly improved up to the time
of the World War. Now the ques-
ton is often asked, what is the army
doing with these kinds Of balloons
They are used mainly for observa-
ton and directing artillery fire." the
colonel replied.
1.-The winning balloon in the race
Wednesday will represent the United
States at the International Balloon
Race TO be held at Brussels. Bel.
GUM, June 10. 1t is possible that
the coming balloon race will exceed
the worlds record in distance, made
by a Belgian in 1914. with a total
distance of 1906 and 40 miles. The
key position or crucial point of this
race will be found in Arkansas. and if
this is overcome without delay or acct
dents. there is no reason why the rec.
ord OF the Belgian can not be beaten,
for with good altitude and plenty Of
ballast, these balloons are going to
make history.
Tho comparative distance to be
made, to equal the worlds record in
miles, the San Antonio balloons must
go as far as Augusta, Me, but IL
the balloon should make the distance
Of bangor, Me-, then the record worlc
De oea,en. The colonel gave dem
onst alton with miniature wealth n
yanc. showing the different currents
of mir. etc.
The worlds record for staying in
the air continuously for 81 hours, was
accomplished in 1917. 1t is expected
that the balloons going up Wednesday
will not exceed more than 30 to 40
hours in the air. These seven bal
looms will be equipped with a radio
sending and receiving sets, and ANA
teur radio fans are requested to be
on the look out >f0r messages from
these balloons aud report at once to
San Antonio. a number OF carrier
pigeons will be on board and loosed
at intervals, carrying messages, with
instructions to the finder to send
same over either the Western Union
or Postal Telegraph wires to San An
tonic. with charges collect. In this
way the public will be kept posted
infinitely as to the positions of the
balloons and the final outcome of the
race" the speaker said in conclusion.
The following pilots and aids to
take part in the races were guests of
the club: Maj. Norman w. Peek,
pilot, and aide. Lieut.. w. A. Gray ;
Capt. Il. w. Hill. pilot, and aide Lieut..
James Powell; Lieut.. Ashley McKin-
ley, pilot, and aide Lieut.. w. Law
son; Lieut.. NJ. +. Mayer. alternat.
ing pilot: Lieut.. Frank Kehoe and
Lieut.. +. w. Mckee. members of the
crew. Other guests included Lieut..
Col. Il. a. Keys. Captains II. II.
Barnum, ii. II. Cheshire and Il. w.
Godbold of the Fourth Cavalry; Col.
III. III. White, judge advocate; Mrs.