HUDSON HONORED IN NEW YORK 415 



of the tugs, steamboats and factories. A distance of about two miles was 

 covered in this first flight. Mr. Wright was in the air seven minutes and ten 

 seconds. The ^anding seemed a little rough, but no damage was done. In 

 making his last turn the aviator rose about twenty-five feet above Castle Wil- 

 liams. From a little distance the passing appeared dangerous. 



A STARTLED MISS LIBERTY. 



Word was sent out to the reporters that Mr. Wright would soon again 

 mount his paradise bird of the air. Each boat from Manhattan brought ex- 

 cited visitors. Several hundred persons grew tense when, at 10.17 o'clock, 

 the propellers were started, and only a few of the spectators knew that Mr. 

 Wright meant to circle the Statue of Liberty. The weather conditions were 

 ideal. A soft, steady breeze came from the west. Directly into this the 

 aeroplane, which is silver in color, left the monorail, with the aviator in 

 charge, at 10:18:04 o'clock. 



Straight almost as an arrow the wings of Wilbur flew to the Statue of 

 Liberty, a mile and a quarter away. The crowd was too engrossed to cheer, 

 but stood tiptoe instead. Only then was the intention of the aviator pierced 

 and understood by all present. A thousand whistles seemed to make an- 

 nouncement to the world that there was something new under the sun. At 

 10:19 o'clock the flying machine was over the sea wall, and the "total toot" 

 of the startled smokestacks must have reached the ear of that immobile lady, 

 the quest of a great man. 



As the aeroplane flew across the Upper Bay a seagull, bewildered by the 

 noise of the new intruder, fluttered back and forth amid the roar of the pro- 

 pellers, and at last settled down on the top of a wave. 



Suddenly there appeared beyond the curve of Castle Williams, the bow 

 of the Lusitania, bound for Liverpool. It was as if she had risen from the 

 sea to give contrast to the scene. Her decks were fringed white with flying 

 handkerchiefs; a cheer that sounded faint came floating across the water. 

 But Wilbur kept steadily on his virgin way. As an Irishman who was pres- 

 ent, said : 

 ^ "Wright is now where the hand of man has never set a foot." 



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