At the time of the
attack by the Turks a skillful aeroplane reconnaissance revealed
the approach of a large Turkish force, believed to be at
the time sixty miles away in the mountains.
Aeroplanes and airships, as they exist today, would doubtless
render very valuable service in a time of war, both over
land and water, in scouting, reconnoitering, carrying dispatches,
and as some experts believe, in locating submarines
and mines placed by the enemy in channels of exits from ports.
A "coast aeroplane" could fly out 30 or 40 miles from land.
and rising to a great height, descry any hostile ships on the
distant horizon, observe their number, strength, formation and
direction, and return within two hours with a report to obtain
which would require several swift torpedo-boat destroyers
and a much greater time. The question as to whether it
would be practicable to bombard an enemy on land or sea
with explosive bombs dropped or discharged from flying machines
or airships, is one which is much discussed but hardly
yet determined.
Aeroplanes have been constructed with floats in the place
of runners and several attempts have been made, in some
cases successfully, to light with them on and to rise from the
water. Mr. Curtiss did this at San Francisco, in January,
1911.
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