Flying Machine Experiment.

Opunake Times, Volume II, Issue 54, 8 January 1895, Page 4

Flying Machine Experiment.

(Wellington Post Correspondent.) Sydney, December 27.

For some time past Sydney scientists have been greatly interested in a , contrivance —the invention of a man named Gordon—wbicb, it was contended, would give to Australia the credit of having produced the first flying machine which could be put to a practical use. The appliance has been on view in Sydney, and when it became known that there was a possibility of its being given a proper test, not only scientists, but the public displayed unusual interest. The place Belected for trial was on the high cliffs at Chowder Bay, from the upper ridge of which to the sea shore beneath was constructed a light tramway. The idea was to start the machine from the high land, and enable it to acquire a sufficient momentum in its course downward to leave the land and float seaward over the harbor. The motive power was supplied by a small steam engine, which worked small wings. These were placed beneath two huge canvas wings which were intended to buoy the machine when once started on its flight. For some time past those interested in the invention bad been pestered by several persons who displayed extreme anxiety to be allowed to make the trial trip, but as the day drew near their ardor appears to have cooled, for not one of them took part in the experiment. Fully 15,000 people lined the cliffs, while the waters of the bay beneath were covered with every variety of craft, the occupants of which were awaiting the starting of the machine. This was perched on the top of the cliffs, and.pouring from the escape pipes came volumes of steam. As the hours passed the impatience of the crowd became intense, and some time after luncheon the manager was interviewed. He explained that it would be dangerous to life to let the machine loose while the harbor beneath was covered with boats. The Water Police accordingly cleared a space for the machine, and it was started on its course. Singular to say, however, though the fire was alight and steam was issuing from the pipes, not a soul was to be seen in charge of the machine. Hissing and snorting, it slid along the tram for a distance of 100 feet, when, having reached the end of the rails, instead of lifting its wings and floating gracefully across the harbor, it bumped against the rocks and toppled over on to the beach, part of it becoming submerged by the waves. Some of the hot cinders from the furnace came in contact with the light materials of which it was constructed and set them on fire, and in a few moments a portion of framework and machinery were all that remained of this production of inventive genius. The manager explained that the trial was a failure because there was not sufficient wind to fill the sails and no one had been placed inside to sail it. He added — what was evident—that the machine had fallen over the rocks and been smashed, and said that as far as he was concerned he was glad to be quit of it.