Evening Journal

ODDS AND ENDS
MAKES RECORD OVER-WATER FLIGHT

Robt. E. Glendinning Starts Contest for the Curtiss Flying Trophy

FOG BLOCKED HIS BEST WORK

Robert E. Glendinning, banker and member of the Aero Clubs of Pennsylvania and America, gave to the Aero Club of Pennsylvania the honor of having the first entry in the contest for the Curtiss Flying Trophy and also had the honor of establishing the first record for this trophy, which is the first ever offered in America for flying over water. Mr. Glendinning opened the contest yesterday by establishing a record of 160 miles under exceedingly poor flying conditions and flying in the hardest kind of luck.

The course extended from the Corinthian Yacht Club, at Essington, to the Maritime Exchange Office, at New Castle, a distance of 20 miles each way or 40 miles a lap. Until Sunday night no decision had been reached as to what day the attempt to capture the trophy should be made, but conditions then appeared so favorable that it was decided to make the flight yesterday, and Mr. Glendinning, accompanied by President Joseph A. Steinmetz and Clarence Wynne, of the Aero Club of Pennsylvania, went to the former's hangar opposite the yacht club to prepare for the flight, intending to start at an early hour.

All preparations were made by 5:45 o'clock, but a heavy fog had settled over the river, and it was not until 8:46 that the machine rose into the air. Mr. Glendinning sailed down the river at a height of about 200 feet above the water in order that he could distinguish his surroundings. He rounded the buoy at New Castle and started the return trip, arriving at Essington at 9:36, consuming 50 and one-half minutes for the trip.

He then rose higher and started down again. Instead of lifting as the sun became stronger, the fog settled down heavier over the water and there was not a vestige of breeze to aid the banker in his flight. He made the second trip and returned to the Yacht Club at 10:36 o'clock, where he was forced to descend for gasoline and oil.

When he again attempted to resume flight he found that the machine would not leave the surface of the water. Investigation proved that there was a large amount of water in the hull of the boat and also that the radiator had sprung a leak. The boat was hauled to the hangar, the water emptied and the radiator repaired. By this time the fog had settled heavier than before and it was decided to wait until it rose before he went up again. The sun finally broke through at nearly 2 o'clock and at 2:20 o'clock he again left the water to resume his flight.

It was thought that with several hours of light remaining there was a chance of setting up a record of at least 250 miles. This time he rose much higher from the water so as to gain the advantages of any breeze that might be blowing, but conditions were not any better above. He circled the buoy at New Castle and returned, then made another lap, and as he neared the yacht club it was seen that he was flying lower, apparently preparing to descend, although he did not appear to be in trouble. When he landed on the surface of the water it was seen that the silk on one of the stabilizing planes, alongside of the rudder, was badly ripped. One of the flyers present said that this was probably caused by a small hole which the force of the air had ripped. Mr. Glendinning said he could have gone farther if it had been necessary.

This was the first attempt made to win the Curtiss trophy, which was offered by Glenn H. Curtiss for the longest flight in any day of 10 hours, flying over water, although the flight did not have to be continuous. The trophy is retained by the Aero Club of America, but becomes the property of the club whose members win it for three consecutive years. A prize of $1,000 or its equivalent goes to the flyer each year. The trophy is of solid silver and is valued at $2,000.