47o POPULAR SCIENCE MONTHLY 



the experiments. The propellers were even found to break under the 

 strain of the actual engines in the open, though they had not done so 

 in the shop, and this is mentioned as another instance of the numerous 

 causes of trying delay which it was impossible to foresee. 



Finally, however, on the 3d of September, everything seemed to 

 be in readiness for the experiments, and the large aerodrome was 

 accordingly placed in position and all orders given and arrangements 

 made for a test that day. After stationing the various tugs, launches, 

 etc., at their predetermined positions so that they might render any 

 assistance necessary to the engineer or the aerodrome, in case it came 

 down in the water at a point distant from the house boat, and after 

 the photographers, with special telephoto cameras, had been stationed 

 on the shore in order that photographs with their trigonometrical 

 data might be obtained, from which speed, distance, etc., might be 

 later determined, and when every one was anxiously expecting the ex- 

 periment, a delay occurred from one of the hardly predictable causes 

 just mentioned in connection with the weather. An attempt was made 

 to start the engine so that it might be running at its proper rate when 

 the aerodrome was launched into free air after leaving the track, but 

 the dry batteries used for sparking the engine, together with the entire 

 lot of several dozen which were on hand as a reserve, had become 

 useless from the dampness. 



I have merely instanced some of these causes of failure when every- 

 thing was apparently ready for the expected test, but only one who 

 was on the spot and who had interest in the outcome could appre- 

 ciate trials of this sort, and the delays of waiting for weather suitable 

 for experiments. 



It was found that every storm which came anywhere in the vicinity, 

 immediately selected the river as its route of travel, and although a 

 ten-mile wind on the land would not be an insurmountable obstacle 

 during an experiment, yet the same wind on the river rendered it 

 impossible to maintain the large house boat on an even keel and free 

 from pitching and tossing long enough to make a test. 



While speaking of the difficulties imposed by the weather, it should 

 also be understood that to take the aerodrome in parts from under the 

 shelter of the roof and assemble and mount it upon the upper works 

 was a task requiring four or five hours, and that during this time a 

 change in the weather was altogether likely to occur, and did re- 

 peatedly occur, sufficient to render the experiment impossible. Experi- 

 ence has shown, then, that the aerodrome should be sheltered by a 

 building, in which it shall be at all times ready for immediate launch- 

 ing. During all the delay resulting from this and other causes — since 

 it was never known on what day the experiment might take place — a 

 great expense for tug boats waiting at a distance of forty miles from 



