Suspecting that some of the valve-springs had failed, Harry decided to come down to inspect them. Meanwhile the engine had been running and developing its power, but an ominous rattle had worried Harry and Kauper. It was unfortunate that they did not know that Mr. Green, the designer of the engine, was awaiting them at Dublin with a set of new valve-springs. Had they been so acquainted, Harry would, of course, have continued on to Dublin without coming down to have a look at the springs. As it was, while descending in a spiral he lost control owing to his greasy boot slipping on the rudder-bar, and the aeroplane side-slipped into the water. Harry was unhurt, but poor Kauper suffered a broken arm and some cuts about the head. He was soon taken to the Mater Misericordia Hospital, at Dublin, where he made a good recovery, ultimately leaving the hospital on September 18th, 1913, with all his wounds healing well. The machine, of course, was done for.
Thus ended the most important event held under the auspices of the Royal Aero Club during 1913, in which 1,043 miles were covered in 55¾ hours, the actual flying time being 21 hours 44 minutes—a world’s record for a seaplane in those days. In recognition of his skill and courage, the Daily Mail made Harry a personal present of £1,000.
On the morning after the crash near Dublin Harry was busy superintending the work of dismantling the wrecked aeroplane. While so employed he was considerably interrupted by photographers and autograph hunters. Apparently souvenir hunters were also on the scene during his absence, for one of the radiators had been carefully detached. Having seen to the packing-up of the remains of the machine, Harry returned to Brooklands, where on Friday, with his usual nonchalance, he was testing machines for the Admiralty.
CHAPTER VII
A BIG CHEQUE, AN AERIAL DERBY, AND OTHER EVENTS
Echoes of the Seaplane Flight—Mr. Winston Churchill’s Views—Back to Work—The £1,000 Cheque—And a Gold Medal from Margate—The Carping Critic—And the Reply he Received—An Expedition to Eastchurch—Lost in the Air—Racing a Powerful Monoplane—An Exciting Aerial Derby—Hamel’s Bad Luck—Harry Finishes Third—And in the Sealed Handicap is Fourth—A Bad Crash at Hendon—Other Races—Michelin Efforts Again—Harry’s Bad Luck—He Puts up Some Wonderful Flights—A Headache in the Air.