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1907. April 24. [?] at Baddeck 
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24 Feb. 1907.
Making Ready for the Great Balloon Race.
Although we in the North are still in the icy frip of winter, preparations are being made busily by balloon enthusiasts who will contest next summer for the International Cup for Aeronauts, to be started from St. Louis. The Aero Club of New York will be represented by the mammoth balloon America, which had its first and very successful trial flight yesterday from Washington, where, as our despatches from the national capital tell this morning, its departure was cheered by six thousand people.
The day was auspicious for the ascension, but when t he great balloon shot into the upper air there was a sharp reminder in the intense cold above the clouds that these are still winter months and that Washington is not the far and balmy South. So after a journey of some twenty miles the America was sent to earth again, with the record of a brief but satisfactory trial.
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24 Feb 1907.
Big Racing Balloon's Flight.
WASHINGTON, D.C., Feb. 23 - After a flight of a little more than two hours and having reached an altitude of several thousand feet the big racing balloon, "America," under the auspices of the Aero Club, which made its ascension in this city to-day, successfully descended and landed at Crooks station, Prince George county, Md., a distance of about 20 miles.
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24 Feb 1907.
AIDS GERMAN AERONAUT.
BERLIN, Feb. 23.- The supplementary budget presented to the reichstag today by the imperial ministry of finance includes an appropriation of $125,000 to assist Count ZeppElin in his airship experiments, and especially to build for him a floating steel balloon on Lake Constance. 
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24 Feb 1907.
GRANT TO AID ZEPPELIN
Budget Presented to Reichstag Includes Appropriation of $125,000

24 Feb 1907.
New York Aeronauts Make Trial Trip from Washington, D.C., in Balloon America
BALLOON "AMERICA" ASCENDING AT WASHINGTON D.C.
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J.C. McCoy Pilots Big Air Bag, Which Will Contest at St. Louis, Mo., for the International Cup - Many Prominent Army Men and Diplomats Witness the Very Successful Ascension
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HERALD BUREAU, No. 1,502 H STREET, N. W., WASHINGTON D.C., SATURDAY.
In the presence of six thousand cheering persons members of the New York Aero Club made their first trial flight today in the mammoth balloon America, with which they will compare next summer in the balloon race from St. Louis for the International Cup. 

The balloon rose rapidly, and when last seen by the Washington people it was fifteen hundred feet above the city, drifting northwest. At six o' clock last night word was received here that the balloon had descended about five miles below Marlboro, Md., with all the passengers safe. This means a flight of about twenty miles. The severe cold weather is believed to have caused the aeronauts to descend [?]

The morning was most auspicious for the ascension. A slight breeze was blowing from the east and at twenty-five minutes to eleven o'clock gas began to be pumped into the great yellow canvas bag covered with a corded meshing.
With the aid of a blower the gas was pumped in at the rate of 45,000 cubic feet an hour, and it was shortly after twelve o'clock when the great yellow ball began to tug and pull at the sandbags, announcing the near approach of its leaving.
The basket was put into position, and under the direction of August Post, secretary of the Aero Club, the fastenings were soon made. Then began the slow release of the balloon from its weight of sandbags, and many willing hands of the enthusiastic people present clung to the ropes until the final word "Go!" was given.
Just about the time for leaving the ensign of the Aero Club, a red pennant upon which blazone the Union shield, [?]

Club; Colgate Hoyt, also of New York; Captain De Forrest Chandler, of the War Department; Captain John Doyle Carmody, Herbert Parsons, the Chinese Minister, Sir Chen Tung Liang Cheng; William Heyburn, of Philadelphia; Walter Heiston, Graham Hume, Professor Albert Zahm, of the Catholic University, and William F. Hart, of the gas company. 
Before starting Mr. J.C. McCoy, who is the pilot of the America, said that he anticipated a very pleasant trip. "I believe," he said, "the America will win against all other entries next November in the race for the International Cup. It is especially constructed for racing purposes, and though made in France is of American design. It has a capacity for 80,000 cubic feet of gas. The weather is just right for this trip, and I intend to go as far as the balloon will carry us. It is not only a matter of speed, but endurance as well, and a try out at this time will stretch the ropes and fill out the canvas envelope, so that it will be in fine condition for the St. Louis af- [?]