GREAT OVER-SEA FLIGHT

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 261, 25 March 1911, Page 10

GREAT OVER-SEA FLIGHT

New York, February 3. After flying 105 miles over the sea, Mr.' J. A. IS). McCurdy, the Canadian airman, who attempted to secure prizes amounting to €IOOO offered for a flight, accross the Florida Straits, from Key West to Havana, fell into the water 10 mile.? from his destination. Pie started in a Curtis bi-plane from Key West, Florida, at 7.30 o'clock this morning, after having waited over a week for favourable weather. Not a breath of wind was stirring as Mr. McCurdy, amid the cheers of 10,000 spectators, rose lOOdft, above the harbor ef Key West and began a winding course at a./ speed of oO miles an hour towards Havana. The Navy Department had stationed tor-pedo-boat destroyers at intervals of 10 miles to assist the airman in case of mishap. When finally, owing to the lack of lubricating oil. Mr. McCurdy was forced to descend in the sea he was three miles ahead of the destroyer Paulding. The bi-plane settled comfortably on the pontoons with which it was fitted, and was picked up with ease and placed on the platform of the destroyer. Wireless messages telling of the accident were received by the vast crowds at Havana with the utmost disappointment, which yielded to hope when the news came that Mr. McCurdy intended to make a fresh start from the platform of the destroyer and complete the flight. He was, however, forced to abandon ti's intention, and was finally landed by the Paulding at his destination. Naval officers are all of the opinion that the attempt, though unsuccessful, demonstrates the feasibility of employ- ' ing the aeroplane for purposes of naval i scouting.