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2 SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE [[article]] WRIGHT AVIATOR SETS NEW MARK Philip O. Parmelee Circles the Field in the Longest American Flight. AUDIENCE CHEERS EFFORT. Aviator Wildly Applauded and Carried Around the Field When He Alights. By W. L. MALLABAR ONE record was broken at the aviation field when Philip O. Parmalee yesterday afternoon remained in the air three hours, thirty-nine minutes and forty-eight seconds, official time, exceeding the official American record for continuous flight by twenty-seven minutes and sixty-three seconds. The previous record was made by A. L. Welch at St. Louis, who remained in the air continuously for three hours, eleven minutes and fifty-five seconds, traveling about 120 miles. Parmalee started on his record flight at exactly 12 o'clock noon. Before dong so he made a preliminary flight around Selfridge field for the purpose of testing the air currents. Upon his return from the trial trip he announced that conditions were perfect for the attempt at a record and his machine was hastily [[?]] the effort. The announcers told the rapidly growing crowd of Parmalee's intention to break the record and the aviator was speeded on his way with the cheers of the thousands who had gathered to watch the morning flights of the amateurs. The enthusiasts of the spectators never cooled toward the daring birdman and as he flew before the grand stand again and again he received the cheers and applause of the swelling throng. NO DIMINUTION OF APPLAUSE. Not even the arrival of Tetrazzini caused a diminution of the applause, and as it was seen that he was about to break the record, the announcement board giving his time as the minutes flew by, the cheers and handwaving grew in volume. It was exactly three hours, thirty-nine minutes and forty-eight seconds after he had left the ground that Parmalee shut off his engine and dropped his biplane directly in front of the center of the grandstand. Aviators, mechanicians and Army men rushed forward, eager to greet the hero of the day, Lieutenant Paul W. Beck of the signal corps being the first to clasp his hand in congratulation. Parmalee's first remark when he stepped from the machine was a characteristic one: "The next time I try such a flight I'm going to have a softer cushion to sit on," he said. "It's no fun sitting on that hard seat for nearly four hours." "It was pretty cold up there," he said later, when asked how the air was. "I was watching the announcement board as I passed it in the last laps, for I wanted to get down as soon as possible. I ran over the official record as far as I thought necessary, and then decided to descend. My gasoline was getting low and the air was growing colder all the time—or so it seemed to me. There is a record of an American flight of three hours and twenty-five minutes, though I don't know that it is official. However, I determined to beat that, and I am glad to say I have done so." "Carry him up to the grandstand," yelled one of the enthusiasts who had crowded around the machine. In spite of his objections, this was done. Aviator Ely, who had been the second man to congratulate him, being the first to assist in hoisting him to the shoulders of one of the strongest men of the party. To the strains of "Dixie," the aviator was carried in front of the grandstand, where the spectators again testified to their appreciation of his feat by a tremendous outburst of applause. Major J. P. O'Neil of the Thirtieth Infantry, came running across the field from the bandstand to which Tetrazzini had been escorted and asked the aviator's bearers to bring him over to meet the singer. Arriving there, Parmalee was introduced to the song-bird, who expressed her pleasure at meeting him. After a few minutes' conversation the aviator went to the hangar, where he received another ovation from his friends. WINS PRIZE OF $5000. It was announced that Parmalee won an award of $5000 for his feat. The scheduled prize for the event was set at $3000, and to win this the aviator's entire time in the air during the whole meet was to be counted. It was announced yesterday, however, that on account of the fact that there had pre- [[?]] [[?]] a Wright biplane, similar to that used by Parmalee he traveled approximately 120 miles in three hours, eleven minutes and fifty-five seconds. Arch Hoxsey, before his death, made a record of three hours and seventeen minutes, but this has been contested and is not official. [[/article]] [[article]] PARMELEE BREAKS AMERICAN ENDURANCE HERO OF AIR GIVEN MEDAL FOR CRUIS[[?]] [[image - photograph of women pinning medal on man with others watching]] [[image - photograph of a man and woman]] [[caption]] Mrs. Frederick E. Scotford pinning medal to the coat of Eugene Ely. The members of the group, from left to right, are: Major J. P. O'Neil, Mrs. Ely, F. E. Scotford, Captain Charles Bond of the Pennsylvania, Mrs. Scotford, Eugene Ely and Lieutenant Elvid Hunt, Thirtieth Infantry. Below is Ely showing the medal to Mrs. Ely. [[/article]] [[article]] BIRDMAN REVIEWS TROOPS AND SAILORS WHO ARE PARADED AT AVIATION FIELD IN HIS HONOR Amateurs Seek to Fly But Wreck Biplanes By C. A. BOSWORTH. EUGENE ELY, the daring Curtiss aviator, was honored by the United States Army and Navy yesterday when he was presented with a gold medal, commemorating his famous aeroplane flight to the deck of the United States Cruiser Pennsylvania last Thursday. The token was the gift of the men of the cruiser, the soldiers of the Second Battalion of the Thirtieth Infantry and the members of the aviation committee. The medal is of gold, pendant from a red, white and blue ribbon and bears the exact reproduction of a photograph which was taken at the time the aviator landed on the ship. On the reverse side is an inscription telling of the feat and detailing the circumstances. [[?]] [[?]] paid the birdman when the medal was presented. The battalion of infantry and machine gun platoon commanded by Captain Reams and a detachment of blue-jackets from the Pennsylvania commanded by Ensign Perkins were paraded in front of the grand stand in his honor. Escorted by Major J. P. O'Neil, Captain Charles F. Pond of the Pennsylvania, and President Scotford of the aviation committee, Ely viewed the formation which passed in review for his special benefit. ADDRESS TO AVIATOR. As the last fanfare of the field music ceased, the troops were brought to parade rest and Captain Pond delivered an informal address to the aviator expressing his appreciation of the honor which he had [[?con]] by landing on the Pennsylvania. He stated that Ely's feat would mark a new era in the Navy and would be of great value to the officers who are endeavoring to have an aerial corps established. Major O'Neil said: "Mr. Ely, I am more than glad to have been honored with your friendship while you have been here. You have not only conferred a great benefit on the Navy, but by your work with the Army here on the grounds you have greatly benefited that branch of the service." President Scotford closed the impromptu programme by congratulating Ely on the success of his feat and thanking him in the name of the aviation committee for having performed it. As he stepped aside Mrs. Scotford pinned the handsome medal on to the breast of the embarrassed aviator, who blushed to the roots of his hair and began to cast his eyes about for an opportunity to escape the applause of the crowds in the grandstand [[?]] rent the air with three rousing [[?]]. He was joined by Mrs. Ely, [[?]] occupied one of the adjacent [[?]] during the ceremony, and together [[?]] thanked the officers present, and [[?]] retired to prepare for the afternoon flights. INTERCEPTS TETRAZZINI. Ely again distinguished himself when, soon after the afternoon programme started, he flew his machine to the links of the San Francisco Golf Club and intercepted Mme. Tetrazzini, who, in her automobile, was en route to the aviation field, where she was the guest of the citizens' committee. Brigadier-General Tasker H. Bliss, commanding the Department of California, his staff and a large number of the officers of the Army and Navy, were present at Selfridge field and took part in the impromptu reception which was given to Mr. and Mrs. Ely. During the afternoon Lieutenant Myron Crissy was a passenger [[?]] Walter Brookins of the Wright [[?]] ascending for the purpose of [[?]] data for the preparation of table [[?]] govern the dropping of bombs. The amateurs again furnished entertainment for those who arrived at the field early, two of them barely each with their lives from what appeared first to be serious accidents. Thaddeus Kern of Chico essayed a flight early in the day, and, misjudging the ground at the ditch below the grandstand, landed in a heap of wreckage from which he was extricated unhurt. The chassis, forward and rear controls of his machine were completely wrecked, and he will not again be able to appear on the field until he has secured a new machine. LUCE WRECKS BIPLANE. L. C. Luce, flying the Sheaf biplane, came to grief at the far end of the field, when W. W. Brown, a straggler from the railroad right of way, stepped in front of his machine, wrecking it completely and burying the pilot under the debris. The official car and United States Army ambulance went quickly to the scene and extricated the unfortunate aviator, taking both men to the Emergency Hospital. Luce received several lacerations of the skin and Brown was injured in the right eye as a result of the collision. The beautiful biplane was completely demolished and is beyond repair. Sheaf stated that he would at once begin the erection of another machine. F. E. Wiseman, the Petaluma amateur, tightened his grip on the novice prizes yesterday when he made a flight of the five-kilometer course in six [[?]] [[/article]]
