Jasper County Democrat, Volume 10, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 26 October 1907 — CUP TO THEPOMMERN [ARTICLE]

CUP TO THEPOMMERN

German Balloon Is the Winner of the Bennett Internes tional Trophy. FRANCE A VERY GOOD SECOND Uncle Sam la One of the “Also Bans” This Tima ■ill e ' John Ball Brings Up the Rear.with • Sick Man in the BasketDirigible Race Is Won by Beachey. St. Louis, Oct. 24.—Proclaimed as the most remarkabieballoonlng contest in the history of aeronautics, with every racing record broken, the eecond International cup competition which started from here on Monday last ended vrith Germany accorded the winning laurels. The finish of the race was the closest and most exciting the followers of the sport haveeverknown. the victorious German balloon, the “Pommern," which landed at Asbury park, having but slightly more than five miles the advantage of the FYench contestant “L’lsle d’France,” second in the race, which descended during the afternoon at Herbertsvllle, N. Just * Fluke ot the Wind. Another German balloon, the Dusseldorf, stands third In the race. United States entries are fourth and fifth, a third German team is sixth, a French team seventh, United States eighth, and English ninth. It was a fluke of the wind that gave the race to the Germans. The Frenchmen having gone ss far, at least, east as the Germans, but being caught by a breeze that blew them back Inland until they were forced to land itecause they were losing ground all the time. Distances of the Flights. The unofficial estimated air-line flight of the “Pommern” Is 880 miles, and that of the L’lsle de’France 875. The Dusseldorf, third. landed near Dover, Del., and Is estimated to have covered 790 miles. Only the proximity of the Atlantic ocean stopped the wonderful flight of the “Pommern.” Later.—The foregoing unofficial estimates have been declared correct officially and following is the record for the balloons not noted: Duesseldorf (German), 790 miles; St Louis. 730; America, 720; Abercron (German), 680; An jour (French), 675; United States, 650: Lotus II (British). 375. France Wins the Duration Record. While losing the distance record and possession of the cup the French team sailing “L’lsle d’ France” gained the honor of the world’s record for duration of flight—44 hours, the previous record being 41 hours, 5 minutes, held by Count de la Vaulx, of France. The record of the international race Set by the balloon “United States” In the flight from Paris last year was 402 miles. This was more than doubled by the “Pommern” and the French balloon, and but one of the nine contestants in this year’s race failed to exceed the 1906 record. That one wasthe “Lotus” (British), which descended in Ohio because the pilot’s companion was 111.

RACE NEXT YEAR IN EUROPE Pommern Landed on the Edge of the Ocean—Humorous Experience. Germany having won possession of the silver trophy presented by James Gordon Bennett the race next year will bo In the home of the German Aero club. Final possession of the trophy rests with the club which wins It three times. Aside from possession of the cup the Germans won a cash prize of $2,500, also presented by Bennett The world’s record for distance flown is 1,200 miles, held by Count Henry de la Vaulx. There is some doubt whether this distance means a measured air line flight or the total number of miles traveled in drifting currents. The Pommern, winner of the cup, landed on th edge of the ocean, the voyagers getting out of the basket on the sands of the beach. Oscar Erbslocb piloted the balloon, and Henry H. Clayton, of the Blue Hill observatory, near Boston, acted as his assistant. The aeronauts were much disappointed at not beintf able to reach New York, but the wind currents were contrary and the landing was made ratter than run the risk of being carried out to sea. In speaking of the trip Clayton said: “Near Easton [Pa.] we were uncertain of our whereabouts and descended to within 500 feet of rhe earth in order to ask where we were. Seeing a woman standing In front of a farm house we shouted to her. asking her where we were. She took one look upward and then, with a shriek, rushed Into the house, slamming the door after her. Even the chickens and pigs In the farm yard seemed to be excited.”