TRIAL TRIPS OF AN ÆRIAL MACHINE.

Southland Times, Issue 1157, 1 November 1869, Page 3

TRIAL TRIPS OF AN ÆRIAL MACHINE.

From the San Francisco News Letter of July 3, we take fhe following: — An engineers' trial trip of the model steam carriage just completed at the Avitor Works, Shell Mound Park, was mad«» yesterday (Friday) morning in the presence of the constructing engineers, several of the shareholders of JEria) Steam Navigation Company, a number of the employes of San Jose Railroad, who happened to be in the vicinity, and of residents in the neighborhood. The morning was beautiful and still — scarcely a breath of air stirring. All the con. ditions were most favorable to success. The gasometer was fully inflated at 15 minutes past 6 o'clock, and the model was floated out of the building and across the racetrack to the open space in the centre. In six minutes steam was got vp — the rudder set to give a slight ctirve to the course of the vessel — and the valves opened. With the first turn of the propeller she rose slowly into the air, j gradually increasing her speed until the rate of five miles an hour was attained. The position of the rudder caused her to describe a great circle, around which she passed twice, occupying about five minutes each time. Lines had been fastened to both bow and stern, which were held by two men who followed her track, and had sufficient ado to keep up with her at a "dog trot." As she completed describing the second circle, a pull given to her head line unintentionally caused the rudder to shift to a fore-and-aft position, when the model pursued a straight flight up the race track about a quarter of a mile. She then turned round and retraced her flight to the point of departure, whence, being duly guided, she entered the building, the fires were ' drawn,' and the first extensive flight of a vessel for serial navigation was accomplished. The total distance traversed was a little over a mile. The appearance o£ the vessel in the air was really beautiful. As seen in the building ■he looks cumbrous and awkward — just as a ship looks cumbrous and awkward on the stocks. The change of appearance as she is circling gracefully through the air is equal to that of the same ship when seen in the water. The first moment of opening the steam valve was one of bus* pense. As the vessel rose and forged Biovdy ahead the suspense was scarcely dissipated ; but in very few seconds her speed increased. In obedience to tbe rudder she commenced to swing around the curve — the men at the guys broke into a trot, and cheer upon cheer rose from the little group. In years to come it will be something for these men to tell that they were present at and saw the first mile-flight ever accomplished in tbe grand discovery of aerial navigation." The inventor, Mr Frederick Marriott, of San Francisco, is said to have been engaged for eighteen years in studying »rial navigation.