M. SALMET'S MISHAP 1913

 

H. SALMET Courtesy of Nick Forder, 9-28-09

 

M. SALMET'S MISHAP Scarborough Mercury August 29, 1913 MACHINE BADLY DAMAGED PASSENGER AND AVIATOR UNINJURED Transcribed by Rich Allenby, 4-21-05       M. Salmet, the French aviator, gave exhibition of flying from the Racecourse on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, flying over the town on several occasions. He carried numerous passengers with him, including several ladies. His visit created great interest.       Just in the last few minutes, so to speak, the aviator had the misfortune on Thursday afternoon to damage his machine in a such a way as to render its use impossible for a few days at the very least. The accident occurred on the Racecourse about a quarter to five o'clock in full view of the several hundreds of spectators whom the aviator had DELIGHTED WITH HIS EXHIBITIONS for about an hour and half previously. Happily the aviator himself and his passenger at that time, Mr. H. Dell, Scarborough, escaped uninjured.       The aviator had gone round the course once, and was at the time quickly approaching the far end. He was keeping very low to the ground, and approaching a row of bushes, and it was his intention it is presumed to take a quick turn upwards so it is customary for him to do.       Two spectators it appears were in the way. They were ladies and had not received permission to enter the course. TRYING TO AVOID SPECTATORS       The aviator did not at first distinguish the two spectators with the dark bushes behind them, as Mr. Salmet was heard to explain afterwards. Taken by surprise, the aviator, in attempting to avoid them, had to turn his machine rapidly sideways, and before it could rise it had dashed into the bushes.       The spectators, who had become so accustomed to successful flights, had put complete confidence in Mr. Salmet, did not realise that anything serious had occurred at first, but the officials and others who were in and around about the enclosure at the tijme were evidently aware that a mishap had occurred, and ran to the scene of the accident.       It was a great relife, however, when M. Salmet and his passentger came out of the wreckage unhurt. They were not thrown out. THE DAMAGE.       The propellor of the machine was smashed, a wheel broken, and the branch of a tree had cut completely through one of the wings. There was other damage noticeable.       M. Salmet appeared very little perturbed by the accident, although he expressed his annoyance at the intrusion of the spectators on a forbidden part of the course. MACHINE DISMANTLED.       The mechanics were amongst the first to arrive on the scene, and Mr. Salmet gave orders to dismantle the aeroplane.

 

M. SALMET'S MISHAP Scarborough Mercury EXTENT OF THE DAMAGE August 29, 1913 Transcribed by Rich Allenby, 4-21-05       It is stated that the damage to the machine is estimated at about L200, more harm being done to the machine than appears at first sight.       M. Salmet is engaged to live exhibitions at the Hedon Racecourse, near Hull, which is the next point of the tour. If the machine cannot be repaired in time for this, he will make the flights with another machine.       M. Salmet took up as passengers on Thursday Mr. F. W. Plaxton, Mrs. Paton, Miss Thompson, Mr. R. S. Brogden, Mr. H. Dell, and Mr. W. H. L. Wordsworth (Scalby). In the morning his passengers were Miss Clara Laverack (aged 12) and Miss Gladys Friozen, who greatly enjoyed their flight over the town and bay.       Mr. Will Catlin, the popular entertainer, had booked a passage, and would have been the next one to have gone up in the aeroplane had not the accident occurred.       On Thirsday evening the airman received a great ovation, when he came in to dinner at the Grand Hotel, and later in the Floral Hall he was loudly cheered by the large audience.

 

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