Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-22
WILLIAMS ESCAPES
. DISASTER IN TEST
Rendered Unconscious From
Fumes of Plane, but Will
Resume Efforts Today.
BY JOSEPH s. ,EDGERTON.
Aviation Editor OF Tine Star.

ANNAPOLIS, Md, August 22-Al-
though he narrowly escaped possible
disaster late yesterday afternoon when
he lost consciousness while travelling at
A speed of more than 100 miles an hour
in his Mercury racing plane, Lieut.
Afford J. williams, Americas lone hope
in the Schneider Trophy race next
month, plans to renew his efforts to
Nv the bullet-like little ship today.
williams apparently was Just on the
point of lifting the plane of the water
when he was overcome by fumes from
the motor and lack OF air caused My
creation OF partial vacuum IN Inc
cockpit. Though only partially con-
scious, he throttled down the motor and.
Just before losing his senses. snapped
of the ignition switch.
After cutting the switch Williams was
unconscious for about minutes. revi'-
ing only when a speed boat occupied by
Temple Joyce. Baltimore aviator and
airplane manufacturer, and Mrs. WI.
liams drew alongside and Joyce called
to him. He did not completely recover
for some time and was taken to a ward
room on the Navy aircraft tender U. -
S. Sandpiper suffering from splitting
headache.
nrobably saved his life, as the plane
was taxing at terrific speed when ne
lost consciousness and would not nave
stopped until the SO gallons OF fuel
were exhausted.
Navy officials believe that the speed Of
the racer. even though 1t had not lett
the water, sucked the air out OF the
cockpit in which Williams sat- and the
lack of oxygen. coupled with fumes from
the motor and fuel. which contains
tetra-ethyl preparation, sunocated him.
Suffered Headaches In Tests.
williams told his medical adviser,
lieut.. Comdr. John r. Poppen, Navy
Medical Corps. that he has had severe
headaches following previous tests OF
the ship, but had attributed them to
pounding of the ship on the ground
swell of Chesapeake Bay and the severn
River. The shock as the twin pontoons
Of the racer crash through the waves at
sneeds in excess Of 100 miles per hour.
williams said is equivalent to severe
while Williams was being carried
back to the Sandpiper In the speed
boat a Navy motor boat took the plane
in tow and brought 1t back to Scntee
wharf where it has been oertneo 1or
more than two weeks.
After examining the famous pilot,
Comdr. Poppen told newspaper men that
Williams had taken a terrible beating.
Although groggy and sick, he Is in no
danger, the naval physician stated:
Mechanics were put to work cutting
q vent into the cockpit to supply con.
tinuous draft of air, which not only VIII
provide oxygen. but will carry of any
fumes which may tend to collect there.
British pilots in training for the Schnei-
der race. It has been learned here, have
encountered the same dif11culty Williams
experienced. In the British Gloucester
racing plane oxygen apparatus has been
installed for the pilot.
Third Unsuccessful Effort.
Yesterday evenings attempt was the
third unsuccessful effort of the day, the
first two failing because of falling gaso-
line pressure combined with rough wa
ter, The gas pressure failure is not re-
garded as serious, Comdr. Pop9en said.
He characterized it as one of the penal
ties to be anticipated in working with
new motor of the experimental type
built for the Mercury.
Lieut.. Williams Comdr. Poppen said,
was highly pleased. with the sturdiness
Of the pontoons which have shown no
signs of failing under the pounding to
which they have been subjected.
"Blisters" to increase the buoyancy of
the floats have been constructed at the
Philadelphia naval aircraft factory, and
will be installed on top Of the present
floats.
Lieut.. williams must fly the plane
before Sunday IL 1t is to be entered in
the Schneider races. The Navy De-
partment is insistent that he demon
strate the flying qualities of the ship
before he is given permission to go
abroad. Unless he leaves Annapolis
Sunday he will not be able to reach
England in time for the race, which
will be flown September and Z.