WONDERFUL WATER PLANE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 23, 20 September 1912, Page 8

WONDERFUL WATER PLANE.

PARIS TO LONDON BY WATER

AN ENTHUSIAST'S DESCRIPTION

In -Inly and August last Daily Mail v.aterplanes gave exhibitions of their capabilities at various watering-places on the south coast of England. Mr Grahame-White was the operator at Brighton, and made numerous excursions with passengers by day and night. One of the passengers was Mr Wiikie Bard, who was performing in Brighton at the time. Naturally his Might pleased him immensely. "The experience of my life," ho said "I must go on again," and ho promptly booked an order for another trip. Another passenger did the same thing, in addition to sending his little boy of twelve up after him. One of the spectators of Mr GrahamcWhite's night flying in the Daily Mail waterplane writes in a, letter: — "Conjure up this vision! A black night—black save for the shade of a phantom moon straggling from behind the clouds and the illuminations on the pier. Not a wave nor a sound from the sea; not a breath of wind. "Suddenly, with a hum like that of myriads of bees, shoots into the night a. long bar of dazzling light; higher and yet higher, until it hides the pale moon from our sight! Up, and still up it whirrs; the light vanishes; over our heads still the hum; then, seemingly, miles out over the sea comes the light again. A mad swoop downwards towards the sea's still surface—a swift rush over the waters—and we behold the waterplane. It is a vision that can never be forgotten. "(And the enthusiasm! The front was packed ; and from Paston Place to Portslade we could hear the deep roar of acclamation roll along. We had seen plenty of flying during daylight, but nothing could appeal to the imagination like this. It bred visions of England, mistress of the sea and air, with her aerial navies patrolling every sky."

A telegram from Paris dated August 3rd says:—"M. Andre Beaumont (Captain Conneau, of the French Navy), who won the Daily Mail second £IO,OOO flying prize, started today to fiy to London by water with-a new type of waterplane, described as an 'aero-hydroplane.'

"M. Beaumont's intention is to fly along the course of the Seine to the mouth, cross the Channel, and thence fly up the Thames to London, descending on the water at Westminster Leaving Jurvisy his morning the airman followed the winding course of the Seine as far as Bezons, keeping at a height of about 2000 ft. He landed gracefully on the water after having accomplished 30 miles at 77i miles an hour. He will continue his journey tomorrow. "The 'aero-hydroplane' is a Donnet Levequo machine, and is stated to bo destined for the British Admiralty."