THE LANGLEY AERODROME
Early in the year 1898 a board composed of officers of the Army and Navy was appointed to examine the models and principles of the aerodrome devised by Dr. S. P. Langley, Secretary of the Smithsonian Institution, and to report whether or not, in its opinion, a large machine of this design could be built, and, if so, whether it would be of practical value.
The report of this board was referred to the Board of Ordnance and Fortification for action, and Doctor Langley was invited to appear before the Board and further explain the proposed construction.
In view of the great utility of such a device, if a practical success, the Board, on November 9, 1898, made an allotment of $25,000 for the construction, development, and test of an aerodrome to be made under the direction of Doctor Langley, with the understanding that an additional allotment of the same amount would be made later. On December 18, 1899, the additional allotment of $25,000 was made.
The construction of the machine was delayed by Doctor Langley’s inability to procure a suitable motor, which he was finally obliged to design. The aerodrome was completed about July 15, 1903, and preparations for its test were made at a point in the Potomac River about 40 miles below Washington. [p279]
Preliminary arrangements having been completed and tests made of a quarter-size model, the first attempt at actual flight with the man-carrying aerodrome was made on October 7, 1903.
On this occasion there were present on behalf of the Board, Major M. M. Macomb, Artillery Corps, and Mr. G. H. Powell, clerk of the Board.
Major Macomb in his report to the Board stated that—
“The trial was unsuccessful because the front guy-post caught in its support on the launching car and was not released in time to give free flight, as was intended, but on the contrary, caused the front of the machine to be dragged downward, bending the guy-post and making the machine plunge into the water about 50 yards in front of the house-boat.”
This accident necessitated the removal of the house-boat to Washington for the more convenient repair of damages. The repairs having been completed, on December 8, 1903, another attempt at a trial was made, this time at the junction of the Anacostia and the Potomac Rivers. General W. F. Randolph and Major Macomb, members of the Board, and Mr. Powell, were present. Major Macomb reported as follows: