AERONAUTICS: Bennett Cup

• Share

Piloting the Belgica, Lieut. Ernest de Muyter of the Belgian Army, won the James Gordon Bennett balloon trophy for the third time. The cup has now become his permanent property. Leaving Brussels, de Muyter landed at St. Albans Head on the English Chan nel after more than 48 hours in the air ; he had covered the comparatively short distance of 475 miles. Much longer flights have been accomplished in previous races, with over 1,100 miles as the world's record balloon flight. This — the 13th contest — was marked by none of the terrible accidents of last year, when three aeronauts lost their lives in a thunderstorm. The race was in no way remarkable nor was the competition as keen as had been expected. The balloon of Captain E. H. Honeywell, veteran American, on whom U. S. hopes were concentrated, landed at Rouen with only 181 miles to its credit; and another American entry, with Maj. Peck and Lieut. Grey, landed at Malmedy without even leaving Belgian soil.