270 SMHHSoM\N CONTRIBUTIONS TO KNOWLEDGE VOL. 27 



Even while the boat was en rout.' sonic of the workmen were busily engaged in 

 the repair of the damaged parts, the others having been sent ahead to Wash- 

 ington to begin work on the construction of new wings, so that another trial 

 could be had at the earliest moment that the weather would permit. 



One extra pair of wings was on hand, but these had been stored in the 

 houseboat while it was down the river, and the damp weather, which had caused 

 such serious damage to the cross-ribs of the wings which were actually used, 

 had also so seriously affected the ribs of these extra wings that it was neces 

 sary to discard some of them and repair the others. An extra Penaud tail was 

 on hand, as well as a steering rudder, and it was estimated that unless some 

 unforeseen delay occurred the aerodrome would be ready for flight in three 

 weeks. 



After making a careful examination of the places on the river which seemed 

 most available for an experiment, it was finally decided to make the next test 

 jusl off the Potomac Flats, at the junction of the main body of the river and 

 the Eastern Branch, the traffic on this part of the river, which would have been 

 more dangerous and troublesome during the summer, being quite light at this 

 time of the year. By making the experiment at this point it was possible to 

 leave the house-boat at its dock until the weather seemed suitable and then have 

 a tug-boat tow it to the exact point, which would be determined by the state of 

 the wind and the tide. 



After more completely examining the condition of the framework of the 

 machine, and discussing and maturely deliberating on the causes which had led 

 to the accident of October 7, the writer advised Mr. Langley not to make any 

 changes either in the machine itself or in the launching apparatus, except to 

 remove the small Lug from the metal rod which projected from the end of the 

 guy-post, and which by catching in its guide on the launching car had been the 

 sole cause of the accident. The aerodrome was accordingly repaired so as to 

 reproduce exactly the conditions which obtained at the time of the previous ex- 

 periment, except for this slight change, and it was again ready for trial by 

 the middle of November. The weather, however, at this time was very vari- 

 able, there being at times comparatively quiet periods which lasted for only an 

 hour or less, which was not sufficient time for procuring a tug-boat and towing 

 the boat to the proper point, and then assembling the aerodrome and making a 

 trial. However, after many days waiting, what appeared to be an exception- 

 ally quiet day occurred on December S, the wind quieting down by noon to such 

 an extent that practically a dead calm prevailed. Vigorous search was imme- 

 diately instituted for a tu- boat to tow the house boat to the point selected, 

 but it was very late in the afternoon before one could be procured, and by the 

 time the boat arrived at the proper place darkness was descending and a strong 



