Once a week for the last month or more there has been one day on which it has been possible to fly comfortably all day long, but that day has never been a Saturday. Consequently, the London Aerodrome people had again to be content with an incomplete programme on Saturday. Until about 5.30 p.m. the wind was blowing up to fully 30 m.p.h. in gusts, so competition flying was impossible. However, the crowd of 4,000 to 5,000 people who were present were entertained by some very fine exhibition flying. Mr. GrahameWhite on his Nieuport, only just back from Weymouth, and still only partially adjusted, flew splendidly. She seemed to have a tendency to heel to port, and Mr. Grahame-White told me later that he had his right warp pedal hard down the whole time, and had to get his extra stabilising from the rudder, so quite unintentionally he demonstrated the possibility of doing what he described in the Rawlinson case-flying with a permanent list. Mr. Lewis Turner, on the old Howard Wright biplane, did some wildly exciting circuits, the machine waving like a flag in a breeze. Mr. Hucks, on the GordonBennett Blériot, gave several fine exhibitions, and Mr. Hamel, on the same machine, went up to 800 or 900 ft. and played tricks, the poor old monoplane being wrenched over in the banked turns till it looked as if the tail was going to be twisted off-there was certainly an angle of 15 degrees between the lateral centre-lines of the tail and the main planes. Mr. Hamel discovered a broken rib in the right wing of his own machine, and was only with difficulty dissuaded from flying it in that condition. Mr. Chéreau has often told the writer that the wings ought really to be stripped and inspected, having been lying idle in the damp all through the winter, and having done an immense amount of work since the dry weather set in, with the consequence that the fabric shows quite plainly that the spars have considerable movement. There will be an ugly smash soon if Mr. Hamel does not take more notice of the condition of the machines on which he flies.

handicap round the course took place. In the first heat Mr. Ewen on the little Caudron biplane had about half a lap start from Mr. Hamel on Mr. Hucks' Blériot, and was only beaten in the run home from the last pylon. Mr. Hamel, in passing, cut rather close in front of him, with the result that Mr. Ewen had to come down to escape being blown over by the wash of the Blériot. Mr. Ewen lodged an objection, and the matter was settled by the judges allowing him to fly in the final. In the next heat Mr. Valentine started some few seconds in front of Mr. Hucks; but, owing to his engine having been over-doped, he rolled the first quarter of the lap, and only got going properly at the third pylon, when Mr. Hucks was already well on the way to the second pylon; but from that point Mr. Valentine gained steadily, and won easily.

In the final, Mr. Ewen had got well away when Mr. Hamel started. Just as the latter was on the point of leaving the ground, his left wheel buckled, the machine slewed to the left, and, owing to the switch not acting quickly, rushed round in a circle, and went into Mr. Grahame-White's Nieuport, which was standing behind the pylon. The propeller hewed its way into the back of the Nieuport's left wing, right up to the front spar, scattering bits of wing and propeller for yards round. Fortunately no one was hurt, and, though it is cruel hard luck on Mr. Grahame-White having his best machine disabled, it was certainly a good thing that the Nieuport was in the way, otherwise the Blériot would have turned into a group of people (most of them unnecessarily) standing round the first pylon, and would probably have slain someone.

For some unknown reason the judges stopped Mr. Valentine from starting, and the whole race was declared off, though, as a matter of fact, Mr. Ewen and Mr. Valentine ought to have fought it out between them.

While this race was in progress, Mr. Crawshay, who revealed himself as a Blériot flyer of very high class, made a trip over the surrounding country at a height of between 2,000 and 3,000 ft., disappearing to the north and coming in from the south just when the crowd were running over to look at Mr. Hamel's smash. He landed with a splendid glide over about 1,000 ft.; but his landing was baulked by the people on the ground, so that he damaged his chassis somewhat.

It was unfortunate that Mr. Ewen's Caudron monoplane was not in flying order, as it would have put up a very

fine race against the other monoplanes; but, a day or two before, some of the cattle which graze on the aerodrome had walked into Mr. Ewen's shed, and, presumably thinking, from its bluish colour, that it was made of stone, proceeded to use it as a "God-bless-the-Duke-of-Argyll," with disastrous results to the wings. However, it is hoped that it will be ready again by next week.

As usual, there was quite a good crowd at Hendon, and, judging from the remarks one heard when walking among the crowd and from the hearty applause which greeted every flight which was really good, the Hendon audience is rapidly becoming educated into a thorough appreciation of good flying.

Quite the right class of people are going to Hendon, also; for I noticed a number of officers of the Royal Flying Corps and several high officials of the Admiralty and War Office, as well as well-known men in the City, among the crowd on Saturday, and it is precisely men of this kind that constructors of to-day ought to do their best to interest in their machines. It should be recollected that the Grahame-White Aviation Company, Ltd., offer free shed accommodation for the week-end to any aviator bringing his machine to compete at these meetings, so constructors and pilots who are anxious to make a name for themselves and their machines will be neglecting their opportunities if they do not put in frequent appearances at the Hendon meetings.

The

There is, as usual, another meeting on Saturday next. following Saturday and Whit-Monday there are some big competitions taking place, including a race for £50 in cash on Saturday and a 100 guinea cash prize on the Whit-Monday, together with very useful second and third prizes in the big events, and a number of other events with smaller prizes, so it will pay pilots well to compete at Hendon throughout the Whitsun week-end. It is to be hoped that a really good response will be made to the Hendon Aerodrome's efforts to increase public interest in aviation, and it must be said that they are already succeeding in this respect beyond expectations. The Whitsun Meeting at Hendon.

THE AEROPLANE has received particulars of the Second London Aviation Meeting, which is to be held at the London Aerodrome, Hendon, on Saturday, May 25th, and Monday, May 27th.

A very attractive programme has been arranged, with really good cash prizes, and it is expected that many of the wellknown aviators in this country will compete. The following

are the events:

On the Saturday, May 25th, at 3.30 p.m. :-Event No. 1: Cross-country team handicap open to all types, about 20 miles. First prize, Silver Cup and 15 sovereigns each; second prize, 5 sovereigns each. Event No. 2: Monoplane speed handicap, 12 laps, about 18 miles, for the Barlow Trophy and cash prize, presented by H. Barlow, Esq. First prize, valuable trophy and 50 sovereigns; second prize, 20 sovereigns; third prize, 10 sovereigns. Event No. 3. Altitude contest for the St. Ivel Cup and cash prize.

On Whit Monday, May 27th:-First event, at 2 p.m., Relay Race, First prize, Silver Cup and 15 sovereigns each; second prize, 5 sovereigns each. Event No. 2: Passenger-carrying speed handicap (8 laps, about 12 miles). First prize, Silver Cup and 25 sovereigns; second prize, 10 sovereigns. Event No. 3: Cross-country handicap, open to all types (about 45 miles), for the Geisler Trophy. First prize, Geisler Trophy and 100 guineas; second prize, 25 sovereigns; third prize, 10 sovereigns. Event No. 4: Grand speed handicap (12 laps, about 18 miles), open to all types. First prize, Silver Cup and 30 sovereigns; second prize, 15 sovereigns; third prize. 5 sovereigns.

Exhibition flights will be given on both days, and also on Sunday, May 26th, by Mr. C. Grahame-White and most of the competitors.

Official Encouragement at Brooklands.

The Second Aviation Handicap for prizes of £75, £30, and £15, to be held at Brooklands on Whit-Monday, will be run in heats, further prize money being added, making a total of £200. In each heat there will be prizes given of £25, 10, and £5, provided there be at least six starters in each heat (which hardly seems likely). The first four in each heat (supposing there be so many) are to compete in the final. No competitor can take more than one prize. Winners of the final heat will therefore have the option of taking the prize offered for the main race or the prize offered for one of the heats. The prizes not taken by the first, second, or third competitors will be allotted to the other competitors in order of finishing, whether in the heats or in the final. From

Mr. Grahame White flying the Nieuport over the Caudron biplane on Saturday.

this one may gather that quite a number of entries are expected, say twelve at least; but it is rather hard to see where they are to come from, as the cross-country races have, so far, only produced five or six starters. One would like to know, also, what distance the race is to be, and over what sort of country; for, while £75 may be a munificent prize for an aerodrome handicap, it is not much temptation to risk £1,000 worth of machine over twelve or fifteen miles of the country round Brooklands.

The First Interchange of Wireless Messages.

So many claims have been made, and there have been so many rumours of an interchange of wireless messages between the aeroplane and the ground, that it is well to put on record the first thoroughly authenticated case. For some time the Marconi Company have been experimenting with the Flanders monoplane at Brooklands, testing the best method of stowing their apparatus and of fixing aerials. Several small tests in the way of transmitting from the machine have been made, and on Wednesday of last week Mr. Fisher took up a clockwork sending apparatus, and it was found that messages were received quite well in the station which has been fitted up in the Flanders shed. Owing to the high wind, Mr. Fisher did not go outside the aerodrome that day. On the following day (Thursday) Mr. Fisher took up Mr. Matheu, of the Maconi Company, the latter having a receiver strapped over his ears, and his head swathed in a woollen scarf to deaden external sounds as much as possible. In the course of a flight of some twenty minu.es, during which the machine reached a height of some 800 f.. and went out to about 2 miles from the sheds, in the direction of Chertsey, a regular exchange of messages was kept up between the machine and the operator in the shed. Mr. Matheu kept a note of the messages received by him, and, on returning, it was found that these tallied exactly with the messages sent from th shed, while his answers were correctly received at the shed.

It is highly satisfactory to find that the first genuine interchange of messages should have been made with a British apparatus, carried on a British aeroplane, driven by a British engine, and piloted by a British aviator, though one's satisfaction is marred by the death on Monday last of poor Fisher.

Monday, May 6th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Bristol School, Mr. Pizey out with Lieut. Bulkeley, but weather bad. Lieut. Shephard out for first experience of flying in wind.

At Coventry Ordnance establishment, remarkable performance by Mr. Sopwith, who took three passengers up with him for straights, two sitting on lower plane and absorbing 8 h.p. or SO each. Later, did circuits with Mr. Manning as passenger, and executed unintended spiral glide through passenger mistaking an order and turning off petrol in middle of a turn. Made perfect landing, started up again, and continued flying perfectly.

HENDON. Grahame-White School hard at it soon after daybreak, Mrs. Stocks doing straight rolls and Capt. Nicholas straight flights on monoplane No. 4. On biplane No. 3 Mr. Lewis Turner doing straights for instruction to Commander Yeats-Brown in passenger seat. Messrs. Roupelle and Kershaw at straight flights and Messrs. T. O'B. Hubbard and Manton at circuits. On biplane No. 10 Mr. Lewis Turner out for test flights and passenger flights, afterwards making exhibition flights for Press photographers.

Blériot and W. H. Ewen pupils also out.

THE PLAIN (BRISTOL SCHOOL).-M. Jullerot first out, followed by Mr. Bendall. Lieut. Pickles then up with former, and Mr. Lindsay Campbell with Mr. Bendall. Messrs. Jennings and Smith-Barry made good flights on tractor biplanes. Capt. Cordner out on school biplane for two circuits. Lieut. WynessStuart got in useful work on one of monoplanes. M. Jullerot out with Lieut. Wall.

Tuesday, May 7th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Sopwith School, Mr. Sopwith up 5 mins. in morning with Mr. Howard Wright, and Mr. Raynham 20 mins. alone, both on Burgess-Wright.

At Bristol School, in evening Mr. Pizey testing Anzani moncplane, but engine not pulling well, so retired.

Coventry Ordnance biplane out flying well when one roller broke on chain. Unusual occurrence in excellent products of Hans Renold. Chain sent to makers, who fitted four new rollers, owing to observing cracks in others, but on further microscopic cracks seen, so further flying postponed till arrival of new chain with rollers of different hardening. 100 h.p. no light task for chain makers.

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HENDON.-At Grahame-White School Mr. Morris making straight flights on biplane No. 3, and Mr. Lewis Turner giving instruction flights on same machine.

THE PLAIN (Bristol SCHOOL).—Mr. Bendall out testing with Mr. Campbell as passenger, Mr. Pixton later with Lieut. Dawes. WINDERMERE. Mr. E. W. Wakefield doing first solo flights on new Water-bird." Float somewhat deteriorated, but no damage to rest of machine.

Wednesday, May 8th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Flanders School, Mr. Fisher out three times, 5, 15, and 10 mins., sending Marconi messages by clockwork. Receiving station in shed kept in touch up to greatest distance attempted, which was over Paddock. Too windy to go out of ground.

At Bristol School, Mr. Hotchkiss for test, but gusty. Later Mr. Shephard went for second part of brevêt, flying at 600 ft. and landing with long glide to within 20 ft. of mark. One of best certificate flights yet seen at Brooklands, and Mr. Shephard shows the makings of a very efficient officer-aviator. Mr. Nesham out doing eights, but weather prevented going for brevêt.

At Avro School, Lieut. Parke, R.N., for first trial on Army Avro, flying well, and climbed to 4,000 ft., climbing first 2,000 ft. in 5 mins., landing in series of short glides after 20 mins. flying.

At Deperdussin School, Naval Cadet Robinson good straights morning and evening.

mon.

FARNBOROUGH.-Lieut. Fox, R.E., up in evening on Air Battalion F.1. biplane. Twice round Laffan's Plain and ComAlso one short flight later on, but wind very gusty. FRESHFIELD.--Fenwick took out all-British Mersey monoplane to Waterloo to call on Mr. Melly at Liverpool School. As it happened, Mr. Melly had started for Freshfield at almost the same moment, and the machines met midway-a rare occurrence for this part of the world. Later on Mr. Melly was taken up as passenger, and expressed unqualified approval of machine and astonishment at its speed. Mr. Thompson was then taken up for three trips. Mr. Thompson is over 70 years of age. (Is this a record age for passengers?). The wind put a stop to further flying, and the Mersey was put up there.

HENDON.-At Grahame-White School, on biplane No. 3, Messrs. Morris and Roupelle straight flights and Mr. Manton circuits. Capt. Nicholas also straights on monoplane No. 4. Mr. Lewis Turner flying straights and circuits on biplane No. 10 for pupils' instruction, taking them in passenger seat in turn, and finally putting Mr. H. C. Biard through second test for brevêt, which flew in fine style, observed by Messrs. H. Barber and W. Ridley-Prentice, of the Aeronautical Syndicate, and Mr. Georges Prensiell, of the Blériot School.

WATERLOO (LIVERPOOL).-Mr. Melly took Mr. Birch on twoseater for 25 minutes flight round surrounding country, incidentally passing over Mr. Birch's home, of which he obtained fairly good photograph from a height of 800 ft. In course of flight Mr. Fenwick was met coming from Freshfield on Planes, Ltd., monoplane. He landed at Waterloo and took Mr. Melly for short flight. Wind getting up, he did not return to Freshfield, so machine was housed in school hangar. Thursday, May 9th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Sopwith School, Mr. Raynham up in afternoon on Green-Wright for half hour with Capt. Alston, and 20 mins. alone on Burgess-Wright-Green. In evening, Mr. Sopwith up with Capt. Alston on 70-h.p Blériot.

At Flanders School, Mr. Fisher up for 15 mins. climbing to 1,000 ft. Then took up Mr. Matheu, of Marconi Company, with Marconi receiver. Passenger received messages up to maximum distance from shed, about two miles towards Chertsey. Maximum height about 800 ft. during 20 mins. flights. This first time authentic wireless messages have been received in an aeroplane. Distinct score for L. Howard Flanders, Ltd. At Vickers School, Mr. MacDonald out on No. 3.

At Avro School, Lieut. Parke, R.N., started for Farnborough to deliver Avro to Army. Arrived after 20 mins. for 17 miles of very bad air. Landed on Laffan's Plain close to Mr. Cody's shed, where Mr. Cody was getting out the "Circuit "machine which Mr. Parke broke some time ago. In evening Mr. Parke carried out speed, climbing, rolling and one hour flying test. Results being official, cannot yet be divulged. Încidentally damaged a tail-skid previously fitted in a hurry at Brooklands. Otherwise very satisfactory in spite of small wheels which have been disapproved by experts. New pupil, Mr. Charlton," joined school and took first instructions. BRIGHTON-SHOREHAM,-Mr. B. H. England has now opened school here, and Mr. Oswald L. Melluish to-day joined as instructor, took machine out to test it, and expressed satisfaction at easy control. Mr. H. T. Smith-Newton did straights.

FARNBOROUGH.-In afternoon Avro biplane (which had arrived in morning) made a good 55 minute circular flight. Rudder damaged on landing. Captain Burke out on B.E.1. (the silent Army biplane) for about 20 minutes, doing good straights. FRESHFIELD.-After Hardman and Birch were taken up for trips and had commented on the Mersey's steadiness and speed, Mr. Fenwick with Mr. Swaby as passenger returned to Freshfield at about 1,000 ft. In very still air the eight miles were covered in seven minutes.

HENDON.-At Grahame-White School Mr. Lewis Turner opened work at 4. a.m., flying circuits on biplane No. 10 for pupils' instruction, afterwards testing biplane No. 3, which had been fitted with new tail, found too much play on elevator bracket, descended, had same adjusted, and resumed test, machine then flying well. In afternoon Mr. Turner at circuits on biplanes Nos. 10 and 3, afterwards taking up three passengers. Capt. Nicholas making good straights on monoplane No. 4 and Mr. Morris at straights on biplane No. 3, whilst Mrs. Stocks and Mr. Fowler both busy flying circuits on biplane No. 10. During afternoon Mr. Hucks returned from Weymouth, where he had been manoeuvring over the fleet, leaving Weymouth on his Blériot at 3.20 and arriving at Hendon an hour and 50 minutes later.

Other schools, Blériot and W. H. Ewen, getting in good work. THE PLAIN (BRISTOL SCHOOL).-M. Jullerot for trial, Mr. Campbell for solo. Mr. Pixton took Major Boyd-Moss, Lieuts. Dawes and Pickles for tuition. M. Jullerot afterwards out with Major Boyd-Moss. Lieut. Hall getting on splendidly with monoplane, did excellent solo for two circuits. Messrs. Smith

Barry and Jennings practising on various machines, and M. Jullerot took Lieut. Wall.

WATERLOO (LIVERPOOL).-Mr. Fenwick left for Freshfield with Mr. Swaby as passenger, after giving two short flights to Messrs. Hardman and Birch.

Friday, May 10th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Sopwith School, in morning Mr. Raynham on Green-Wright with Mr. Hedley 20 mins. and Capt. Alston 15 mins. In evening Mr. Sopwith alone, and Mr. Raynham with pupils.

Mr. Moorhouse on R. and M. monoplane flying prettily in evening, finding wind very steady at 1,800 ft., though puffy near ground.

At Flanders School, Mr. Fisher up for few minutes in evening.

At Vickers School, Capt. Wood and Mr. MacDonald doing straights and circuits on No. 3.

At Bristol School, Mr. Pizey up with Lieut. Percival, brother of the flier of the original Oozeley Bird." Capt. Allen for straights on monoplane. In evening, Mr. Pizey again out with Mr. Percival, and then with Miss Pizey. Mr. Hotchkiss up with Mr. Percival, teaching landings. Later, Mr. Hotchkiss and Capt. Allen testing Anzani monoplane, and former then on biplane with pupils. Mr. Valentine for two pretty flights on military two-seater.

BRIGHTON-SHOREHAM.-Mr. Melluish out testing in rough wind very satisfactorily..

FARNBOROUGH.-Mr. de Havilland up in B.E.3., the new biplane (which has just been turned out of the Factory) in the morning and afternoon, doing good solo and passenger flights. Captain Burke out on B.E.1. for a short time, doing solo and passenger straights. Mr. Cody also out on his Circuit 'bus. Has been giving most of his time to the construction of his monoplane, which will be out very shortly.

HENDON.-At Grahame-White School Mr. B. C. Hucks out in afternoon on monoplane No. 6, flying several circuits. Mr. Lewis Turner at straights, circuits, and landings en vol plané, etc., for benefit of pupils.

THE PLAIN (BRISTOL SCHOOL).-Passenger flights given to pupils, but no solo work allowed. Saturday, May 11th.

BROOKLANDS.-At Vickers School, Capt. Wood and Mr. MacDonald flying No. 3 in turn.

At Bristol School, Mr. Pizey took Lieut. Anderson (new pupil), and Mr. Hotchkiss took Lieut Percival for tuition. Mr. Pizey went for relay race. Later, Lieut. Bettingdon taxi-ing on Anzani. About 6.30 Mr. Valentine flew over to Hendon on military two-seater.

At Flanders School, Mr. Fisher up 10 mins., and Mr. Kemp later. Mr. Kemp also flying in relay race.

Relay Race at 7 p.m., won by Mr. Sopwith on Blériot, and Lieut. Parke, R.N., on old school Avro; Mr. Pizey on Blériot and Mr. Raynham on Wright, 2nd; Mr. Kemp on Flanders and Mr. Spencer on own biplane, 3rd.

Mr. Moorhouse flying well as usual on R. and M. monoplane. At Sopwith School. Mr. Raynham on Burgess-Wright flying

25 mins. with Capt. Alston, and 25 mins. with Capt. Hawell. In evening Mr. Sopwith up 20 mins. and Mr. Raynham 30 mins., and Mr. Sopwith on Blériot for relay race.

At Avro School, Lieut. Parke, R.N., testing old school AvroGreen (35 h.p.), now flying well in spite of five dips in sewage farm. Then flew in relay race as partner with Mr. Sopwith. BRIGHTON-SHOREHAM.-Mr. Melluish again out doing short flights. Mr. Smith-Newton doing straight flights and half turns in very satisfactory manner.

HENDON.-At Grahame-White School Mr. Lewis Turner early testing machines, etc., for Second May Meeting in afternoon, and flying many circuits with two new pupils, Lieut. B. T. James, R.E., and Mr. Malcolm Stuart, in passenger seat. Meeting in afternoon reported elsewhere in full.

THE PLAIN (BRISTOL SCHOOL).-Mr. Bendall first out testing conditions, after which Mr. Lindsay Campbell good solo on monoplane, Lieut. Dawes also two trips. Messrs. Jennings and Smith-Barry each on tractor biplane, whilst Lieut. WynessStuart flew circuit on monoplane. M. Jullerot testing new sideby-side two-seater monoplane, which was found to be working perfectly, and landing extremely light.

Sunday, May 12.

BROOKLANDS.-At Vickers School Capt. Wood and Mr. MacDonald doing straights on No. 3 test Levassor propeller. At Bristol School Mr. Pizey out with pupils. Lieut. Bettington later for first straight on Anzane.

At Flanders School at 5 a.m. Mr. Fisher out testing, and then Mr. Manning doing straights.

At Blondeau-Hewlett School Mr. Gordon Bell made debut as biplanist, and new pupil rolling. When latter had stopped Mr. Jack Humphrey, on own monoplane, came out, taxied a few hundred yards, taxied back, turned round, and then rolled solemnly into the Blondeau-Hewlett machine, removing top and bottom planes and sundry other parts. Better for those unable to control machines if they would confine their peripatetics to the more open portions of ground rather than endeavour to do the tricks of artillery drivers among school machines pursuing their lawful vocations.

At Sopwith School Mr. Raynham out 15 mins. on BurgessWright.

In afternoon thunder, rain, and wind, so only fliers were Mr. Raynham on Burgess-Wright and Mr. Moorhouse on R. and M., both getting very badly pitched about, but giving magnificent display of skill.

Had

Considerable interest created by latest all-steel Blackburn arrived for Mr. Lawrence, of Indian Aviation Co. rough journey up part way by road, so looks weather-worn, but seems sound and strong. No sweating or brazing of joints, which are all held by steel clips. Machine fitted with 60-80 Green engine, under big cowl. Distinctly clean, imposing job, though admittedly experimental. Trials awaited with great interest.

THE PLAIN (BRISTOL SCHOOL).-Useful work done on Sunday, in which most of pupils took part. Wind, however, was very strong, as during whole week, and it was not advisable to permit pupils' solo flying.

The Flying at Weymouth.

Notwithstanding the sensationalism of the daily Press-some of whose more blatant periods are noted elsewhere-quite a lot of useful educational work was done at Weymouth last week. It is to be hoped that some of its more obvious lessons have been learned.

The machines comprised one old-type Short biplane, with safety floats (i.e., torpedo-shaped floats, adapted for alighting only); one 100 h.p. Short tractor biplane, with lifting floats; one Short monoplane, without floats; one Nieuport two-seater, without floats; and one two-seater Deperdussin, with safety floats. The tractor was housed in a shed at Portland, with a launching slipway, the rest being at Lodmoor, in a field from which the public were rigorously excluded. The first flying of the "meeting was done by the tractor, which Commander Samson took for a spin on Friday, the 3rd, to make sure that everything was in running order.

On Saturday, things started in earnest, Commander Samson and Lieut. Gregory being out on various machines in the afternoon. Later, Commander Samson took Miss Callaghan for a long flight, and towards dusk went out again, this time on the Short monoplane, while Lieut. Longmore was up on S.41 (the tractor). Sunday was an off day, for the chaplains of the fleet very accurately surmised that deck services would be disturbed with flying going on.

Early on Monday morning Commander Samson was out again on S.41, after which he went over to Lodmoor and took out the Short monoplane. Unfortunately he made a rather

awkward landing, and put this machine out of commission for the time being.

Tuesday was a blank day, owing to fog.

On Wednesday Commander Samson was first out, and went to look for the Royal yacht, which he sighted near St. Alban's Head. On his return his Gnôme ignition failed him, and he had to come down in the harbour and get a tow back to the slip. Shortly after, Lieut. Gregory, on the biplane, also flew to the Royal yacht, Lieut. Longmore following on the Deperdussin, and the two acting as escort as the yacht came in. During the afternoon all the machines were out again, doing very good work, and Lieut. Gregory successfully dropped a 300 lb. dummy bomb without any ill effect on the machine. Messrs. Grahame-White and Hucks also did some flying.

On Thursday little was done. The old biplane and S.41 were towed out to the Hibernia and taken aboard, and Lieut. Gregory got off from the deck. Later on, Commander Samson and Lieut. Longmore were up, and Captain Gerrard brought out the Nieuport for the first time. Mr. Hucks - started for Hendon, which he reached safely, doing the 142 miles in 105 minutes.

Friday was occupied in furious dissembling, S.41. only remaining in one piece,' as she was to return up Channel on H.M.S. Hibernia.

On Sunday, Commander Samson took her up off Dover, but his Gnôme let him down, and he had to plane down off Westgate. He was eventually towed to Sheerness by a torpedo-boat.