NO. 3 LANGLBY MKMoli. ON MKCIIANICAI, I I. hill! 277 



pheric conditions was expected to carrj a man for anj time up to half an tour, 

 and to be capable of having its flighl directed and controlled by him. 



The supporting surface of the wings was ample, and experiment showed the 

 engine capable of supplying more than the necessary motive power. 



Owing to the necessity of lightness, the vreighl of the various elements had 

 to be kept at a minimum, and the factor of safety in construction was therefore 

 exceedingly small, so thai the machine as a whole was delicate and frail and in- 

 capable of sustaining any unusual strain. This defect was to be corrected in 

 later models by utilizing data gathered in future experiments under varied 

 conditions. 



One of the most remarkable results attained was the production of a gas 

 oline engine furnishing over fifty continuous horse-power for a weight of one 

 hundred and twenty pounds. 



The aerodrome, as completed and prepared for lest, is briefly described by 

 Prof. Langley as " built of steel, weighing complete about seven hundred and 

 thirty pounds, supported by one thousand and forty feet of sustaining surface, 

 having two propellers driven by a gas engine developing continuously over fifty 

 brake horse-power." 



The appearance of the machine prepared for flight was exceedingly light 

 and graceful, giving an impression to all observers of being capable of success- 

 ful flight. 



On October 7 last everything was in readiness, and 1 witnessed the at 

 tempted trial on that day at Widewater, Va., on the" Potomac. The engine 

 worked well and the machine was launched at about 12.15 p.m. The trial was 

 unsuccessful because the front guy-post caught in its support on the launching 

 car and was not released in time to give free flight, as was intended, but on the 

 contrary, caused the front of the machine to be dragged downward, bending 

 the guy-post and making the machine plunge into the water about 50 yards in 

 front of the house-boat. The machine was subsequently recovered and brought 

 back to the house-boat. The engine was uninjured and the frame only slightly 

 damaged, but the four wings and rudder were practically destroyed by the first 

 plunge and subsequent towing back to the house-boat. This accident necessi 

 tated the removal of the house-boat to Washington for the more convenient re- 

 pair of damages. 



On December 8 last, between 4 and 5 p.m., another attempt at a trial was 

 made, this time at the junction of the Anacostia with the Potomac, just below 

 Washington Barracks. 



On this occasion General Randolph and myself represented the Board of 

 Ordnance and Fortification. The launching car was released at 4.4."> p.m., be 

 ing pointed up the Anacostia towards the Navy Yard. My position was on the 

 tug Bartholdi about 150 feet from and at right angles to the direction of pro 

 posed flight. The car was set in motion and the propellers revolved rapidly, 

 the engine working perfectly, but there was something wrong with the launch- 

 ing. The rear guy-post seemed to drag, bringing the rudder down on the launch- 

 ing ways, and a crashing, rending sound, followed by the collapse of the rear 

 wings, showed that the machine had been wrecked in the launching, just how, it 

 was impossible for me to see. The fact remains that the rear wings and rudder 

 were wrecked before the machine was free of the ways. Their collapse deprived 

 the machine of its support in the rear, and it consequently reared up in front 

 under the action of the motor, assumed a vertical position, ami then toppled 

 over to the rear, falling into the water a few feet in front of the boat. 



