Viewing page 15 of 105

This transcription has been completed. Contact us with corrections.

[[strikethrough]]114[[strikethrough]] 115
man I ever saw make a balloon ascension. It was made from the grounds I had just landed on. We were all having a pleasant conversation when we were interrupted by one of my assistants who said that the chief of police would like to have us move the airship out of the grounds as the crowd was getting beyond his control.
We moved it, as he requested, and started the motor.
Pointing the nose of the ship towards the only possible opening in the small park, I succeeded in getting above the trees and turned in the direction of the fair grounds. I made a very good speed and finally landed without difficulty.
It is unexplainable how a small motor which is supposed to be developed to meet these special requirements will without the slightest warning stop suddenly; when started again it will run beautifully and continue to run when every moment you expect it to give further trouble. These motors were designed and constructed by men who were experts but it was evident that they had not been able to eliminate the sudden stoppage although everything possible had been done to prevent it. As long as I used air-cooled motors I had trouble with them usually when it was most embarassing for me.