North Shields
Note: This map only gives the postion of North Shields within the UK.
NORTH SHIELDS: Man-carrying kite trials?
NOTES: 9th July 1902. The venue is given as being the Theatre Royal in North Shields but this is obviously incorrect? Without any doubt this is the venue for one of his 'Wild West' stage shows.
Although very keen to demonstrate his man-carrying kites since 1899, (see HOUGHTON HOUSE – CUMBRIA for example), it also appears Cody often tried to fly and experiment with his very large kites for many years later, quite often with a 'passenger' aboard. The main 'market' for Cody in those days was the British Army, to try and convince them of the value of man-carrying kites for observation and artillery ranging.
It appears Sam Cody had a pretty serious accident here. “He had brought the kite down when…a sudden gust of wind gave the machine extra strength and jerked the winch which controlled the wire attached. Mr Cody, who had hold of it, was dragged into the air, a portion of the machine was smashed by the jerk and the drum, turning round at great speed jammed Mr Cody’s right arm amongst the cog wheels. The wire then snapped and Mr Cody fell to the ground , a distance of a few feet. One of the bones between the wrist and elbow was shattered and Mr Cody was taken to Dr Martin’s surgery.”
As pointed out elsewhere, the development of man-carrying kites, in the UK at least, possibly had more influence on the first powered aircraft than glider designs? For example, the first successful Bristol design was called the 'Boxkite'.
While in this region Cody flew his kites from North Durham cricket ground, the Recreation Grounds at Blyth Links, Cow Hill and Town Moor. On Friday the 5th September 1902 his ‘Queen Alexandra’ kite rose just before 11am. A second kite was attached to the line and later a third. The three kites weighed 31 lbs and the wire 64 lbs. The ‘flight’ lasted over seven hours and reached an altitude of 14000 ft. Setting a UK record.
The next day, there being little or no prevailing wind the concluding experiment sought to demonstrate that a kite can fly without the assistance of any wind. A height of 1800ft was attained. As any pilot knows, especially balloon pilots, even if it’s dead calm on the surface, there is always some wind and sometimes quite strong winds blowing not so very far above. His next ‘experiments’ appeared to have been in or near Bath, (SOMERSET).
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