Daily Gleaner
December 22, p1 col 7
AERIAL
FLIGHTS
Another
Daring Exhibition
At Knutsford Park.
THE
PUBLIC PLEASED.
Two
Flights Carried Out by
Aviator
Yesterday
LEAVES
ISLAND TO-MORROW.
"I'll do it," and it was done. For close
on two hours yesterday afternoon Mr. Jesse Seligman, the daring young American aviator, had been waiting on the field at Knutsford
Park for the powerful gusts of wind, that every few seconds came tearing across the open space gusts so strong that the big
monoplane had to be held to prevent its being driven backwards to die down sufficiently to give him a chance to go aloft in
his machine. At 6.46, when the sun had dipped below the western horizon, and some of the 600 or so spectators that were present
showed signs of giving up their long but patiently borne vigil, Andre, the machinist said a flight might be risked, and with
the simple sentence "I'll do it," Mr. Seligman clapped on his headpiece, and mounted to his seat near the head of the monoplane.
A couple of seconds later the powerful
engine was driving the propeller round at terrific speed, the men, straining against the ash frame released their hold, the
monoplane bounded along the ground for a few yards and then mounted gracefully into the air, while the spectators shouted
their applause.
The course followed was the same as on
Wednesday afternoon. As usual, Mr. Seligman had perfect control of his machine and the wind being less he made his turns beautifully.
At a speed of about a mile a minute, he circled the track, keeping at an elevation of about 400 feet, but on this occasion
finding conditions favourable, he did not descend, but kept right on for a second round, flying a little higher than on the
first circuit. After being in the air about eight minutes Mr. Seligman brought his monoplane gracefully to earth in front of the grand stand, while
the welkin rang with applause.
"Yes, the weather conditions are better
than last evening, and I am going up again," said Mr. Seligman, as he ordered the aeroplane to be backed down for another
start. A couple of minutes later the aeroplane whizzing around over the field, presenting a spectacle that at once
THRILLED
AND AWED,
as it stood out in bold relief from the
background of the hill and mountain.
Flying, toward the west, Mr. Seligman
having twice gracefully circled round, he landed. It was a wonderful spectacle - that
flight of man among the birds, and those who kept away missed a very rich treat. When nearing the stand on his second circuit,
scores of cards were showered down from the bird-like machine, which contained the following inscription: "Message from the
Clouds, smoke Machados Cigars."
The aviator in all flew for about 15 minutes,
at a speed between 50 and 60 miles an hour.
The W. I. R. Band supplied the music.
Mr. Newman, the manager, had this to say
after the flight: "Had it not been for Drs. G. J. Machado and G. R. Machado, there would have been no flight to-day. They
have given us their undivided attention since our arrival last Wednesday, and whatever measure of success we have achieved
we owe it entirely to them.
If the municipality or public will offer
sufficient inducements, on our return from South or Central America in March or April next, we will give further flights in
Kingston."
The aviator leaves tomorrow for Limon
via Colon, where several flights will be given. Later on Mr. Seligman will fly to and fro across the route of the Canal and
then tour South America.
