MISSING AIRMEN

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 78, 12 January 1928, Page 6

MISSING AIRMEN

SEARCH BY LAND AND SEA. STATEMENT BY MR COATES. WARSHIP, TUGS AND 'PLANE. fPi»r Press Association.) WHANGAREI, January 11. At the unveiling of a jubilee commemoration tablet in the Whangarei Council Chambers to-day, and again in the evening at a reunion of the Empire Ex-Servicemen's Association, the Hon. J. G. Coates made reference to the trans-Tasman attempt of Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood. The Prime Minister said the danger had been well recognised by those wishing to carry out the ambitious flight, and they hoped and "prayed that all would yet be well. A few weeks ;ago he had discussed with both comrades their plans, and he had said then that he thought they were ill-prepared. 'The aviators, on the other hand, were -very confident. The rumours that had been published had proved unwarranted. The Minister of Defence had full power to deal with the situation, and 'planes had been called from Christchurch., but had been delayed at Blenheim by bad weather. Maritime experts had worked out approximately the area where the 'plane was likely to be. and tugs were proceeding at full speed, and would zig-zag back toward the coast. During his stay here, Mr Coates received numerous inquiries from Australia regarding the missing men.

SEARCH BY AEROPLANE. BLENHEIM TO BE THE BASE. * BLENHEIM, January 11. Sockburn received instructions from Wellington to send a 'plane to Trentham to conduct an extensive search from that base. Captain Buckley, accompanied by Air-Mechanic Smith, set out from Ohristchureh at 1.20 this afternoon in a D.H. 9 machine for Wellington. Unfavourable weather was encountered from the start, with heavy rain all the way. The machine was unable to hang to the land . and went out aibout Cape Campbell in. an attempt to cross the strait. Visibility was extremely bad and though the 'plane was flown very low, much of the time at an altitude of 200 feet, it became apparent that it would be" foolliardy to proceed. • The 'plane appeared over Blenheim just after three o'clock, the pilot having decided to land hereto await an opportunity to cross the strait, , which just now is blocked to flying. The machine circled over Blenheim for some time and then made a perfect landing in a stubble field In a brief chat with a reporter, Captain Buckley said that the Sockburn staff, was inclined to believe that the Ao-tea-Roa -was last in the air after' the signal was picked up at 5.22 yesterday afternoon. Major Wilkes has instructed Captain Buckley to make Blenheim the base for the search. Weather permitting, Captain Buckley leaves at daylight in a triangular course, Blenheim-Stephen Is-land-Foxton-Farewell Spit, back to Elenheim. The machine has a cruising range of 500 miles and will make no stops. Weather* conditions over the strait are bad. Blenheim is regarded as a more central point for the base than Trent-ham.

H.M.S. OUNEDIN JOINS SEARCH. WELLINGTON,, January 11. The Minister for Defence (the Hon. F. J. Rolleston) has been in touch with Commodore Swaibey, who has replied that it will be possible for H.M.S. Dunedin, leaving at 10 a.m. to-morrow, and steaming 24 knots, to be at the point from which the last signal from the ayiarors is considered to have come, in twenty-four hours, which is 10 a.m. on Friday. Instructions have been issued for the ship to proceed accordingly. The Danedin is at Auckland.

TUG TO BE SENT OUT. DECISION OF CABINET. WELLINGTON, January, 11. Measures for the rescue of the two airmen, based on the supposition that they were forced down on the sea off the West Coast, were discussed this morning by Cabinet Ministers following conversations between the Director of Air Services (Major Wilkes) and the Secretary of the Post Office (Mr G. McNamara). The preliminary Departmental discussions were chiefly an analysis of the many reports that the aeroplane had been seen at various points near Wellington at a late hour last night and early this morning. With the exception of one report received from Paekakariki, which seemed to be more reliable than the others, no reliance was placed on the messages received. It is conceivable that the imaginations of many people who were anxiously keeping vigil were worked upon to such an extent that they thought they siaw a machine in the darkened skies, but it is significant that the presence of the machine was apparently not definitely detected by ear, for the noise of an aeroplane overhead is usually unmistakable.

Government Decision. -; It was officially announced at about noon that some of those connected with , the flight had interviewed the Minister ' for Finance (Hon W. Downie Stewart), the senior Cabinet Minister in Wellington, in the absence of the Prime Minister, the Minister for Defence (Hon. F. J. Rolleston), and the Minister for Marine (Hon. G. J. Anderson) this morning, and that it had been arranged that an aeroplane should immediately flv from Trentham with a view to a search being made within tfeepracticable range of the machine. The Minister, for Marine had also arranged for the Harbour Board tug Toia to go out and search a radius to be deckled upon in consultation with the Air Department. It was further announced that post offices along the west coasts of the North and South Islands* were being requested to keep a look-out and to ask people in their districts to do likewise. . , If the airmen have already safely landed on the water, their macjnne

might remain afloat for several hours, but this would depend on the manner in which she took the water. The airmen were supplied with a rubber raft, which they could inflate from a vessel containing compressed air, and the raft would thus float for an indefinite The raft was equipped with food supplies consisting of biscuits, chocolate and water. ■

WAS THE AEROPLANE SEEN? MANY REPORTS INVESTIGATED. WELLINGTON, January 11. Following are copies of reports received by the Secretary of the General Post Office to-day:— 9 a.m.—ln reply to a question about his report last night Stephen's Island states that the aeroplane was not actually seen, but the lights were plainly distinguishable. No motor roar was audible. The lights were travelling in the direction of south south-east. 9.40 a.m.—ln reply to an inquiry! about his report last night the captain of the Arahura states that he knows nothing about seeing the aeroplane. He neither saw nor heard anything about it. The wireless operator on the Arahura sates that last night's message was only a rumour. Several passengers reported seeing a red light passing eastward high over the land. The message was sent because it may have helped. Those on the bridge did not ae»r any thin «■■ Paekakariki Report.

10.5 a.m.—ln reply to further in : quiries the postmaster at Paekakariki stated that he was endeavouring to get inito touch with Messrs Harris and Pepperell again, and will report as soon as possible. "Mr Harris is an engine driver on the railway and saw hundreds of 'planes when on active Service. He was very positive that he saw the plane against a> bank of clouds. He knew that it was a monoplane by the two wings and could see the under-carriage. Mr Pepperell is a builder and is equally certain he saw the machine. After losing sight of the machine they lushed home to hear the announcement of its arrival by wireless, but as nothing was broadcast they reported to me. They are both sensible*. unemotional mega. They were on a hjll by themselves. At 12.12 p.m. the postmaster reported further as follows:—"Have had midependent interviews with Messrs Pepperell and Harris. The former states that he picked up a monoplane flying low and fast shortly before 9 p.m. By his direction Mr Harris was enabled to pick up the plane also. Mr Pepperell left to call his wife and was unable to locate it again. Mr Harris states that he followed the plane until it was lost to view behind Pukerua Bay point. It appeared to him that the machine had a downward tendency. The. statement by Mr Harris las evening 'that the machine was noticed to pass through the fringe of the bank of cloud at intervals' does not coincide with Mr Peipperell's estimate given this morning that ''the machine appeared to be four or five miles from shore.' Kapiti Island is nine miles distant from the coast and the bank of cloud mentioned was some distance further to seaward. Both state that they conscientiously believe the object sighted to have been an aeroplane. Mr Harris has recently been passed first class as legards eyesight, and is an engine driver. He states that he had considerable experience with this type of machine at the front and could pick out the single span of wings under the carriage and peculiar formation of the tail. Am reporting shortly as regal ds their preparednesj to sign a statement on oath if necessary." At 12.40 p.m. a further report was received as follows:—"Messrs J. E. G. Pepperell and A. C. Harris of Paekakariki, state they are both prepared to sign a statement on oath that they 'actually saw an aeroplane off the coast shortly before 9 p.m. on the 10th instant/'

Possibly a Motor-car Light. 11.22 a.m.—Telegram from the postmaster at Eketahuna as follows: "Three persons, aparently reliable, claim to have sighted an aeroplaneover Rongomai, six miles north-east of Eketahuna, at 10 45 last night, flying south-east, but changed its course to south and disappeared in that direction." 12.25 p.m.—Further inquiries were made from the postmaster at Eketahuna, who reported as follows: "Interviewed those people personally, and am not favourably impressed. They stick to their story, but the light, which resembled the powerful headlight of a motor-car, was not directly overhead. It was off at an angle, and I think it might possibly have been & motorcar breasting a hill. They do not claim to have seen anything but a light. The persons are Mrs Evans and two sons, aged 19 and 22. I think they were mistaken. They say the hum of the engine was distinctly heard. This, I consider, was a motor-car." Star Mistaken for a Light. 12.5 p.m.—ln reply to a telephone inquiry, the postmaster at Foxton reports as follows: "From inquiries made by me at the Heads, where the report originated, they were mistaking a very bright star for the 'plane's light. Mrs McDonnell said she heard the hum of an engine, but I feel.sure she heard a car. The wife of the postmaster at the Heads said she saw the 'plane's outline, but when questioned she was uncertain. Actually, no one saw anything but a light. I am certain they, were all mistaken.''''

A Look-Ouf Ordered. 12.45 p.m.—The* Department in- ; structed officers at coastal towns dm the Vest coast of both islands to post notices and circulate requests thai). _ a • look-out be kept in case the missing aviators have landed at an isolated part of the west coast of the Dominion. No Lights Carried by 'Plane. 12.50 p.m. —In reply to an inquiry from Radio, Wellington, the wireless station at Sydney reports that no Verey lights or flares were carried, but that Captain Kight states- that the lights seen may be the flatne from the two exhausts under the cowling. No navigation lights were carried by the airmen. • In the W&rrarapa. 2.25 p.m. —Tho following was reeeiv- ' ed from Mr Burt, farmer, Martinbor- > ough: "L. Hv Burt, farmer, residing ' on the eastern side of Wairarapa Lake, * was harvesting with his hands late last I night, and the hands observed a light H travelling over the Mastcrton district

io the neighbourhood of Kaitoke, along the eastern ranges. At 1 a.m. Mr Burt distinctly saw an unusual light in the air between his house and the Rimutakas. The light appeared to be heading in the direction of Martinborough, about 100 feet above the lake. On the eastern side of the lake there is about 1000 acres of dense flax and manuka. Captain Hood, who hasi a relative farming in this district, knows the locality well." Report Reaffirmed. 2.40 p.m.—ln reply to a further inquiry from the Eaiwarra about the statement made last night, the master of the vessel makes the following report: "I distinctly e&w the light of a "plane for about five minutes under a long, low cloud. It was circling round, then disappeared • behind the cloud, heading over the land. I saw two flares drop. They could not be mistaken for lightning." Light over Rimutafcas. 2.40 p.m.—The following -telegram was received from the postmaster at Martinborough: "Mr Adam Wright and others in his company report to me that at 11.20 p.m. last evening they sighted over the Rimutakas, in the vicinity of Kaitoke, a very bright light, about 4000 feet in the air. fhe object appeared to be flying -and turning, and the light would be lost. The lowering of the light was 1 distinctly no" ticeable. It was heading along the bilkon the western side of the Wairarapa Lake, and then was observed to come down to the skyline and disappear over Orongorongo Point. Before disappearing it dropped in three distinct motions. The night was beautifully clear and starlit. There was no wind." Seen by Train Passengers. A Wanganui solicitor, a passenger on the evening express from WeUington to Marton on Tuesday evening, states that 20 or 30 people on the train distinctly saw a 'plane flying inland from Porirua. When, he heard others talking about it, he looked out and discerned a Speck in the distance rapidlv disappearing. This was about 8 o'clock.

CAPTAIN KIGHT'S THEORY. LANDING IN THE RIMUTAKAS. SYIDNEY, January 11.. Captain Kight in conjunction with Lieutenant Walley after carefully comparing and working out the prearranged plans of the flight with the times and places where the 'plane was reported to'have been observed in New Zealand concludes that the petrol ran out and that the 'plane landed in rough country in the Tararua or Rimutaka Ranges. The flyers having been 41 hours without sleep for 21 of which they had been flying would be absolutely worn out and would go straight off td* sleep. Possibly their sleep would last for 24 hours, and this might account for the want of further information as to their whereabouts.

Captain Kight states that, allowing for the influence of known anti-cyclonic disturbance which, it was expected, might influence the flight, and the possible consequent drift, he calculates the distance flown between Richmond and New Zealand at 1630 miles. When it was sighted at Stephen Island, the machine had been 21 hours 40 minutes in the air. Failing a landing at Trentham., it 'had been arranged that the flyers should attempt to land at the Paekakariki or Foxton beaches. Apparently they found themselves over the sea and'turned landward again seeking a landing. This would account, for their subsequent reported movements. Captain Kight accounts for the steamer Kaiwarra's report that an aeroplane had been seen dropping a flare by the flyers having climbed to escape the mist and then opened the engine to descend, giving the impression of flares. Then, subsequently cruising round in their search for Trentham, the airmen found themselves again over the sea, and turned northwards toward the Rimutakas. The petrol, he tjjinks, gave out in the rough country between the Tararua and Rimutaka ranges. WELLINGTON, January 11. Captain Kight this evening cabled to the Secretary of the Telegraph office from Sydney as follows:—"Please inform all concerned that the airmen's plans were to land on Foxton beach in case qf" a night landing. While waiting for confirmation j)£ the times that the Kaiwarra and the Arahura sighted 1 the aeroplane, my present opinion is that they landed in the vicinity of the Rimutakas and as they had no sleep for 41 hours, 21 of which were spent in the. air, sleep would bo their first thought."

POSSIBILITIES OF DRIFT. DISCUSSED BY MR McNICOL. WELLINGTON, January 11. Mr, A. McNicol, a trustee of the Tasnian Flight Fmid, to-day discussed with Cabinet Ministers the situation, that has arisen through the absence of any information concerning a landing of the aeroplane or its whereabouts. As a result of the deliberations, he gathers that the searching aeroplane will- have a cruising radius of four hours and a- half, and will refuel at Trentham on. the exhaustion of supplies. It will not be able to signal by wireless, but as the Harbour Board's tug Toia, which the Government is chartering to help in the is wirelessly equipped, any information as to the floating raft or such like that may be reported by the searching aeroplane on its return to the base will h&capable of being transmitted AVirelessly to the tug at sea. Mr AlcKicol gathered in inquiries this morning in technical and official circles that the. genuineness of the last automatic signal at 5.22 yesterday cannot be- doubted and that it was expected the signals would Jbe lost as the 'plane neared the New Zealand coast..

At 5.22 the 'plane Avould have been! flying a little oyer twelve honsrs and assuming an average speed and progress toward its objective, it should not have I been very far distant. Across its track, New Zealand would be lying as a land mass with a widtli of not less than about 800 miles, rather- a big target to miss. Again if there was a drift away from the route, it would probably be a drift southward and the aeroplane would hardly drift far enough south to miss Otago*. In Western Otago and in Fiordland there are large unsettled tracts where men might exist for days without being seen or heard of ancl down on that Otago coast are several good landing beaches*