A RAY OF HOPE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 236, 17 July 1937, Page 8

A RAY OF HOPE

SEARCH FOR MISS EARHART.

FLASH SEEN BY AEROPLANE.

REPORT RECEIVED AT AUCKLAND.

iPer Press Association.) AUCKLAND, July 16.

A report that the aeroplane used by Miss Amelia Earhart and Mr F. JNoonan had been sighted by one of the seaplanes operating from the United States aircraft-carrier Lexington is contained in a private radio message received in Auckland to-night. The Lexington, it is reported, had been making a final search near Howland Island, using 42 seaplanes. Owing to the great distance from which the message was picked up, the information received was patchy and had to be pieced together; but the impression gained was that, as a last despairing effort, the seaplanes were sent out “last night” over what was considered to Be the most likely area, that flares were fired, and that one of them received an answering flash. The position "was immediately communicated to the mother-ship.

It was not possible to determine how far the seaplane was from the Lexington at the time when this possible indication of the presence of the lost flyers was received, but as the seaplanes have a very large cruising range it is possible that it may be some time before the ship can reach the position from which the answering flash was given. It may also happen that the seaplanes which remain in the neighbourhood will have to await daylight to find out if both the flyers are still alive and uninjured. Some time after the first indication of the success of the search was picked up, a further radio message whicn seemed to point to its authenticity was intercepted.

RUMOUR NOT BELIEVED.

BY U.S. NAVY DEPARTMENT,

(Received This Day, 10.15 a.m.) NEW YORK, July 16

The Navy Department has no information concerning Miss Earhart. It idoes not believe the rumour picked up by Auckland, New Zealand, that her ’plane has been sighted! by one of the Lexington’s aircraft.

MISTAKE EXPLAINED. WORD OF MESSAGE MISSED, '(Received This Day, 1.55 p.m.) HONOLULU, July 16. It is now explained that the rumours of the finding of the lost aviators were based on the assertion by an Auckland amateur that he heard a ’plane from the Lexington report that it had sighted Miss Earhart. The opinion is expressed that it'was probably due to the amateur missing the word “if” in the conversation of the ’plane to the Lexington. The Lexington has planned to end the search to-morrow, due to her fuel being exhausted. Blistering heat and rain squalls delayed the search to-day, which is now considered hopeless.

AN AMERICAN STATEMENT.

INTENDED TO BECOME LOST. (Received This Day, 1.55 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, July 16. The “Chronicle” learned unofficially that Miss Earhart “was engaged in a high, patriotic service, better undisclosed as to detail,” recalling the rumours that Miss Earhart intended to become officially lost for the purpose of claiming islands in the pacific..

RAIN IMPEDES SEARCH.

A CLAIRVOYANT’S PREDICTION

HONOLULU, July 16

The Lexington’s aeroplanes returned after battling with rain squalls for hours. The search will be continued to-morrow.

A message from Seattle says that a clairvoyant, Miss Gene Dennis, a girlhood neighbour of Miss Earhart, said that the aviators were alive on a South Sea island, and would bo rescued, possibly at the week-end, by a fishingboat. She added that Mr Putnam had appealed for her assistance, and senf a pair of Mias Earhart\s stockings and Mr Noonan’s handkerchief to help her investigations.

Mr Putnam has not given up hope, and is maintaining his radio vigil. He said: “Amelia will come through.” A Washington message states that the Secretary of State (Mr Cordell Hull) has sent messages to Japan and New Zealand expressing appreciation of their sympathy and offers of assistance in the search for Miss Earhart.