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Shared with Manchester Boy. Glenn H. Curtiss Smashed Records in Airship Race in France. American Given Great Ovation by France Because of Victory Tod C. Shriver Was One of the Men That Helped Make the American Victory Possible Good Time Made Curtiss' victory is especially interesting in this country as his chief machinist is Tod C. Shriver, a Manchester boy, and brother of Mrs. Will P. Stephenson of this place. The other two represented France. Latham and Lefebvre finished, respectively, 17:32 and 20:47 3.5. Cocksburn, an Englishman, ran into a haystack as he was maneuvering for the start and did not cross the line. Several other machines which were expected to start were not ready within the limit. The race lay between Bleriot and Curtiss, with Latham as a possible outsider. Lefebvre on his previous performances apparently had no chance. Fortune favored the American. An accident two days ago to Bleriot's powerfully fast machine, with whch he held the lap record, was a serious handicap since he had no opportunity to try out the repaired machine. Curtiss stole a march on his rivals by getting away early. Finding conditions favorable at 10 o'clock in the morning, he decided to take no chances in the fickle weather, and after a trial trip in which he made the circuit of the course in 7:55 1-5, lowering the world's record 0.09, he started at once on his attempt to win the cup. He handled his machine, which flew along at a speed never before witnessed, in masterly style, especially at the turns which he took on the down grade. The first round, measuring 6.21 miles was made in 7:57 2-5, somewhat slower than the trial time, but the second round was covered two seconds faster, 7:53 2-5, another world's record. Curtiss also won, smashed another record Sunday, and got the lion's share of the honors of the meeting. By Mr. Curtiss's victory he wins a cash p;rize of $5,000, the Aero Club of America gets the trophy, valued at $2,500, and the United States will be the scene of the next contest for the Coupe Internationale. His machine carries the largest and most powerful motor ever installed on an aeroplane, though, oddly enough, the machine is probably one of the smallest that ever has made flights. Curtiss took it abroad as his personal baggage, as it only weighed 400 pounds. The motor is a sixty-horsepower affair. Collection of Mary Castro, 2-20-04 |
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Intimated That it Will Be Purchased by British Goodwin a Spectator RHEIMS Aug. 24.--Glenn H. Curtiss, American aviator, is today considering an offer, represented to him as coming from the British Government, for his bi-plane aeroplane, in which last evening he flew around the six and one-half mile course on the plain of Betheny in 8 minutes 33 3/5 seconds, setting a new French speed record. Curtiss will not talk about the offer, which was made to him immediately after he had finished his flight. He does not know whether it is backed by the British Government or not, but if it is, he intimated that he would likely take his machine to England for a series of flights. As a result of his new record, Curtiss is easily the favorite for the Coup Internationale, to be contested for on Saturday. A great deal of betting has already been done, with Curtiss the favorite and Louis Bleriot second choice. Curtiss has warned the Americans against backing him too heavily. He says so many elements enter into an aeroplane race that cannot be guarded against that no matter how superior one machine may be, its success can never be assured. Nat Goodwin, the actor, with Edna Goodrich, his wife, are interested spectators. The relative merits of the biplane and monoplane, which have been in dispute ever since Louis Bleriot flew across the English Channel in a monoplane, will be put to the test if Bleriot and Lefevre stick to their intention of attempting to fly from London to Manchester in the contests for the London Mail's prize. Collection of Mary Castro, 2-20-04 |
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