BUSINESS FLIGHT IN PACIFIC

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21639, 25 November 1935, Page 11

BUSINESS FLIGHT IN PACIFIC

—+— Service Inaugurated , CHINA CLIPPER CARRIES TWO TONS OF MAIL (USITED PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPI'SIGHT.) (Received November 24, 8.36 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, November 23. America's ambitious commercial aviation programme in the Pacific was officially inaugurated yesterday, when the 25-ton China Clipper flying: boat of Pan-American Airways got away to a perfect start on the first pay load flight to Manila, via Hawaii, Midway, Wake, and Guam Islands. It is expected that the 7978 miles will be covered in approximately 60 hours' flying time. No passengers were taken on the first trip. The cargo consists of about two tons of mail, the postage on which is roughly 60,000 dollars. Thousands of spectators lined the bayside as the boat prepared to start. Through an extensive wireless network officials in Washington, Manila, and Honolulu spoke during the ceremony preceding the departure. All envisaged closer cultural and commercial relations with the Pacific Islands as well as the Asiatic mainland when the route is extended to Canton.

The likelihood of the early extension of the service to New Zealand and Australia was mentioned by post office officials. With bands blaring and crowds cheering, the president of PanAmerican Airways (Colonel Juan T. Trippe) gave the radio signal to Captain Edwin Musick to cast off, and with a roar the giant left the water, giving the' spectators an additional thrill as it dipped under the San Francisco Bay bridge, now under construction. The machine landed at Honolulu 21 hours 20 minutes later. She had been delayed by head winds. Captain Musick reported that everything worked perfectly. The Clipper will take off to-morrow on the second stage of the voyage, taking 14 passengers, all employees of PanAmerican Airways, from Honolulu to the mid-Pacific bases.

Another reason why the flight took longer than usual was a change of course to view the eruption of the volcano on Mauna Loa Island.

Army and navy aeroplanes escorted the Clipper to its landing, and thousands of spectators, including Government officials, greeted the crew.

Meanwhile a sister boat, the Philippines Clipper, is flying north to San Diego from Acapulco, Mexico. Captain Musick said: "The trip was uneventful and comfortable. We did not try to set a speed record." The passenger service will not start until after five trans-Pacific flights. The first three are to Manila and the next two to Macao. The arrival of the Clipper makes Honolulu the future hub of the Pacific air travel, as the crossroads of the air line connexions between the United States and the Orient, and the United States and the Antipodes. A third machine will soon be ready for service. I