HYDROPLANES ON WINDERMERE. [TO TUX EDITOR or TR1 " SPROTATOR."1
Sin,—In replying to a deputation on Thursday, March 14th, to the Home Office, Mr. Ellis Griffith deprecated appeals to sentiment on behalf of the Lake District. He held out some hope of restrictions at a future date if hydroplanes become very numerous and dangerous. It is exceedingly to bo wished that regulations may be made at once without waiting for an accident. The lake is a public thoroughfare. At one point it is crossed by the ferry, an ancient right of way which affords the sole access for the farmers, traders, and inhabitants of Claire to the town and station of Windermere and to the market of Kendal. It is fifteen miles round the foot of the lake by Newby Bridge. A safe and unhindered passage of the ferry is indispensable. The Furness Railway steamers traverse the lake; the manager of the company attended on Thursday and gave figures to prove that their steamers carry hundreds of thousands of excursionists annually. The lake averages half a mile in width ; but the deep channel navigable by the steamers is far narrower, and not straight. In parts it is so narrow between shoals that a steamer meeting a hydroplane could not swerve, or observe "rules of the road," without running aground. The Home Office declines to apply the Aerial Navigation Act upon the ground that hydroplanes are boats, and therefore under the Board of Trade. The latter will be approached. I trust that public opinion will support those inhabitants who are endeavouring to secure the safety of the lake. The rate- payers of Bowneas, who favour the machines, are under no obligation to cross the ferry, or to go on the water at all. It was not denied that the existing hydroplanes fly usually at an elevation of less than twenty feet, and at fifty miles an hour.
The larger measures 42 ft. X 32 ft.., the other 31 X 30. It appears to be contemplated that there will be a regular train- ing school like Hendon. It is much to be wished that regula- tions may be framed in advance. Surely the danger is already sufficiently obvious.—I am, Sir, &c., H. B. POTTER. Hill Top Farm, Sawrey, Ambleside.
Previous page
