Aviation was very
much in the news published in the Hamilton Times of July 28, 1914. Two very
different types of aviation.
The first item was
headlined, “East End Boys Have New Sport” ;
“The boys of the east
end residents just wild, because of their growing craze for flying paper
aeroplanes – an article manufactured something in the shape of a box kite, with
a paper propeller attached.
“They proceed first
of all by saying that their playmate around the corner possesses a magnificent
specimen of the invention, and give them no peace until they are the proud
owners of a still larger specimen of the manufacturer’s art. In this they very
much resemble their sisters when they discover the young lady across the way
owns a new hat.
“When they are
overflowing with glee at their latest acquisition, they call together all their
acquaintances and proudly display their possessions, and amidst the wonder and
awe of the neighboring children, they proceed to fly their airships.
“Many are the fights
resulting because one who pretends to be more proficient in the art of
manipulating these flyers is debarred from exemplifying his skill; and when the
owners get the affair going, they no heed of anything except to keep the
gaudily-colored prize aloft. They dash down sidewalks, heedless of pedestrians
who are bent on business, and collide with anybody and anything from an old
lady to a lamp-post.
“They rush across the
roads, caring not what traffic is coming along, their gaze intently fixed upon
things above, and from this craze, nothing seems to have any effect in subduing
their ardor.
“A young lad had a
most miraculous escape yesterday afternoon about six o’clock, when he dashed
right in front of a team of horses which was dragging an empty wagon and
proceeding at a good pace.
“How the lad escaped
the horrified spectators could not explain, for he ran just under the horses’
chins. But he did not seem in any way disconcerted by the angry exclamations of
the startled teamster, and went on contentedly engaged in his former pursuit.”1
1 “East End
Boys Have New Sport : Are All Engaged in
Flying Miniature Airplanes.”
Hamilton Times. July 28, 1914
The second aviation
story involved a real airplane, a Curtis hydro-aeroplane, and an attempt to
beat an existing Toronto to Hamilton record of 29 minutes by aviator R. R.
Russell.:
“About 2 o’clock in
the afternoon, there appeared to be very little wind, so Russell started out
with J. Cole, a companion, leaving the water just near the western gap.
“With the intention
of gaining extra force for a long dive, he commenced at once to climb to the
unusual elevation of 2,000 feet and on reaching this height suddenly found
himself caught in a high wind blowing
from the north which swept him before it, and took all his energies to keep his
machine from capsizing.
“As soon as he was
able to recover himself, Mr. Russell commenced to descend, but this he found an
exceedingly difficult operation, since the lower current was blowing from the
south, and the only way to get down safely was to face the wind.
“On reaching the
surface of the lake, the aviator found himself within two-and-a-half miles of
Port Dalhousie and the steamer Garden City happening along shortly after he
alighted, he sent a wireless message to her to land, when a motor boat put out
and took the two men ashore, the hydro-aeroplane later being towed in by the
tug Barlett.
“The aviators
returned to Toronto but will return to Port Dalhousie to fly from there to
Toronto.
“The time made in the
trip across the lake was only 18 minutes.”2
2 “Crossed
Lake in 18 Minutes : Started for Hamilton But Was Carried Far Away : Russell in
Hydro-Aeroplane Made a Speed Record.”
Hamilton Times… July
28, 1914.
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