SOUTHERN CROSS LEAVES ON RETURN

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 9901, 13 October 1928, Page 3

SOUTHERN CROSS LEAVES ON RETURN

PLANE 11-VINt; AT VERY LOW ALTITUDE

SPEED OF FIFTY-FIVE KNOTS

(Per P.e-s As.-ociatioii). Blenheim, Oct. 13

The Southern Cross took off at 4,55. The plane rose slowly after a three hundred yards run and circled round Blenheim. She then sailed off to pick up the Straits.

MESSAGES from plane.

Wellington, Oct, 13, 8.30 a.m. The Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following message concerning the flight of the Southern Cross; The Southern Cross hopped off for Sydney at 4.54 a.m.—5.30 New Zealand mean lime begins. 5.7 a.m.-- Picked up the Southern Cross and exchanged signals. 5.23 a.m. Still working. Plane jn wireless communication both ways. Plane working excellently. 5.30 a.m.—Blanc attempting to communicate with radio, Sydney. Sydney reports short wave signals swinging badly and having difficulty to hold his signals. 5.46 a.m. —The plane was taking bearings. Key locked.

Received 6.13 a.m.—Southern Cross position, 6 a.m. New Zealand time, latitude 40.44 S.; longitude, 174.0 DD.; course, 309 degrees; true speed 49 knots. 7 a.m.—Still in two-way com’ munication with the Southern Cross; all well. 7.10 a.m.—Southern Cross asking what ship is that below. At 7.30 the plane reported all well, nothing to transmit.

SURPRISE IN WELLINGTON. Wellington, Oct. 13 It was with considerable surprise that the announcement was heard here that the aviators had actually left for Sydney. A heavy and blustering northerly, almost of gale force, is blowing in Wellington. Rain is threatening .and the weather appears likely to become worse rather than better. The Post Office advises; 8.30 a.m.—Southern Cross reports. all well, doing fifty knots, altitude five hundred feet.

9 a.m. —D.R. position lat. 39.13 south; long. 172.24 east. Altitude six hundred feet, speed fifty-five knots. Course 309 degrees. At this stage this position was roughly 200 miles west of Egmont.

(By Wireless.)

9.10. —Established 2-way communication with 2VLE.

9,40. —Airmen sent out private messages to friends in Sydney and the Blenheim Hying Club. 10,16.—Lat. 38.88 south; Longitude 170.20 east. Altitude 400 feet. Position rmiglily 300 miles west of Kawhia. The aviators are ashing for weather reports.

; The H.M.S. Australia was in touch with the Southern Cross when the plane was 75 miles northwest of Egmont.

At 11.30 it was announced that there was very little coming through. News of the progress of the Southern Cross will be posted on the Times Board during this afternoon and to-night.