;»4 SMITHSONIAN CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE VOL. 27 



feet. Its engines, with about 100 pounds pressure, developed an aggregate of 

 0.4 II. P., and lifted 50 per cent of the flying weight. The propellers were 60 cm. 

 (2 feet) in diameter and 11 pitch ratio. 



The aerodrome was intended to be launched by a contrivance called the 

 " starter," which was an inclined rod, hinged at the bottom, on the top of which 

 the aerodrome was supported on a rod which was thrown down at the instant 

 of flight, giving the aerodrome a slight forward impulse, with the expectation 

 that it would get up sufficient initial speed to soar from the action of its 



propellers. 



On November 18 the writer (L), with Dr. Barus (B) and the two mechanics 

 (R and M), went to Quantico by an early train, and superintended with inter- 

 ested expectation the arrangements for this first trial in the open air of the mech- 

 anism which had now been over two years in preparation. 



We met with an unexpected difficulty— that of launching the aerodrome at 

 all, for though the wind was only a very gentle breeze, it was only by holding 

 it down with the hands that it was possible to keep the aerodrome in position 

 for the launch, during the few minutes which passed from the time it was placed 

 upon the apparatus to the time of releasing it. Whether the launching device 

 itself might be effective or not could not be ascertained, since it was found that 

 nothing which could even be called an attempt to launch could be made except 

 in an absolute calm; a condition of things very difficult for any one to under- 

 stand who has not passed through the experience. The writer returned to Wash- 

 ington at the close of the day without having done anything, but having learned 



a great deal. 



November 20. L, with B and M, came down again, and waited until 4.20, 

 when, the breeze having fallen to almost a calm, the aerodrome was maintained 

 in place on the launching apparatus with great difficulty, while it was repeat- 

 edly set on tire by the scattering liquid fuel. Finally it was let go, and fell close 

 to the house-boat, the tail striking the ed<j;e of the platform. The immediate 

 cause of failure was the defective launching apparatus, for the design of which 

 the writer felt himself responsible. 



November 24. L, with B, M, and R came down again to Quantico, but the 

 very moderate wind proved completely prohibitory to any attempt at launching, 

 and all returned again In Washington. 



November 27. L, with P» and M, came down to try a new launching appa- 

 ratus, not differenl in principle from the preceding one, but of better construc- 

 tion. The morning was exceptionally calm, hut the engines were found to he 

 out of order, and precious lime was spent in slight repairs which should have 

 been made in the shop. At ."...'in p. m., when the engines were at last ready, the 

 exceptional calm gave place to a very gentle and almost imperceptible breeze, 



