A GREAT FEAT.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 840, 11 June 1910, Page 13

A GREAT FEAT.

LONDON TO MANCHESTER FLIGHT ACHIEVED, BBITISH FLYER'S. PLUCKT EFFORTS. Mr. Grnhamo White at 5.15 o'clock 011 Saturday morning,. April 23. began an aeroplane journey from London to Manchester, a distance of ISG miles, with tiro stopping-places, Rugby and Creivo. 1 ho aviator "arrived at Parle Royal, where the flight lvas to begin,, accompanied by his-mother mid sister, who bade him "God speed" as he stepped into the machine., The start was witnessed by a large crowd of spectators. In favourable weather and other conditions, the flight was begun as the day was breaking. All went well with the aviator iu the first part of his journey, and His first contact with mother earth was at Rugby, •which .was reached at 7.35. The spot selected for the descent wa;> near Hilltown. A large number of people assembled at the early hour of 6.30, these including Lord and Lady Denbigh. The morning was dull, but otherwise the weather conditions were considered favourable for 'he flight. A few minutes after seven o'clock the aeroplane was distinguished from a small eminence coming nearer to the selected . spot, and, after circling round several times gracefully and selecting a spot, descended successfully. Only a slight mishap to one of the stays was reported, and this was quickly repaired by the mechanics in attendance.

Flight Resumed. After resting exactly an hour, Mr. White resumed his seat on the aeroplane at 8.25, and, rising gracefully amid hearty cheers, sped away over the north side of Rugby, waving a cheerful acknowledge niont to the salutations and cheers of the assembled multitude. It was noted that when he arrived at Hillmorton tho petrol was almost exhausted, and the machine could not have gone another ten miles. A fresh supply of ten gallons was taken in, and before Mr. White started again he gave his autograph to manv autograph hunters. The field in wh'ich the descent took place was hot that originally intended, hilt was considered. by tho manager a better and moro convenient spot. It was marked by white sheeis. At nine o'clock, Nuneaton, ninety-seven miles from the start, was reached, iv splendid view of the aeroplane being obtained as it passed almost over the railway station, both south' and north of the town. Mr. White did not deviate much from the Trent Valley railway, and appeared to bo travelling at about 35 miles an hour, at u height of from 200 to 300 yards. Numerous motor-cars followed, and whistles from the railway engines and works gave friendly greetings.

A Forced Landing. At '9.15, the aeroplane passed-over Tamworth, 110 miles from London, but landed unexpectedly live miles'beyond, at Hademonj crossing, a quarter of an hour later, l'bo descent was unceremonious as well as unexpected, and took place in a wheat field. The cause of the stoppage was stated to be due to the highwind and the motor not working satisfactorily. The aviator was in excellent spirits, and the descent was made as - a precautionary measure. Mr. . White explained that when passing over Tamworth the engino stopped lor SO seconds bat started again. The engine worked badly, and as there was a big head wind he decided to descend. It,was found that the machine had sustained a broken skid, and that one cylinder was. flooded. Mr. Farnmn and the repair cars arrived •shortly afterwards, and the work of.repairing was at once taken in hand, it being aunounced that the- jourey would be resumed about five o'clock if tho wind was moi-o favourable. Jfr. White left with his friends in a motqr-car for Haiiemore, and awaited an abatpmeiit of the rough wind; but their hopes wei 1 !} doomed to disappointment, and at seven o'clock the aviator and his party returned lo Lichfield for the night. About six o'clock on Sunday evening a boisterous storm broke over the district, and llr. White's aeroplane, which had been left unstaked in an exposed position in a field at Hndemore, was caught by a violent gust of wind and damaged.

M. Paulhan Steals a March. On ."Wednesday evening, April 27, the French aviator, M. Paulhan set out 011 tlie same., attempt, and under favourable conditions successfully accomplished the journey, thus .winning the .£IO,OOO prize offered by' the "Daily Mail." Mr. Graliume White, on learning. that his rival had started, immediately set out iiu pursuit. '

M.. Paulhan ascended at 5.20 on Wednesday afternoon aud made a record' llighf, .proceeding as far as Lichfield (117 miles) without a stop. Mr. "White started uii : hour and thirteen minutes later than M. Paulhan, aud travelled as far' as Northampton. He had intended to- travel as far as Crewe before nightfall,' and then to complete the journey on the Thursday. On nearing Northampton, however, he found that he had mistaken tlio track, arill returned a few miles'back. . He descended at..Sonde, 60 miles from London, at. five minutes to eight. . " A novel spectacle was afforded patient watchers in towns and villages along the rsouthern portion of the route, for before nightfall they saw both competitors pass over their heads on their flight north. ' : 11. Paulhan's start proved of incalculable service to him. Before lie was compiled "by gathering darkness to descend ho had reached Trent' Valley Station, Lichfield, and for two hours and forty minutes he had been flying steadily. Mr. Grahame White had only an, hour and a half of daylight. for , his journey north, but in that time lie covered CO miles. . ' The Final Stage. Tlio French aviator was called at halfpast two, and took some breakfast at tno George Hotel, whence he motored to the Trent Valley Station. He arrived' soon after three o'clock. In the dawn Paulhan and Mr. Farman prepared l,hc aeroplane for the resumption of the flight. Punctually at i'our o'clock Paulhan took his seat on the machine, aud the engine was started at 4.9. Amid the enthusiastic cheers of those assembled the aeroplane ascended, and Paulhan circled round by Freeford Park and Fulfin Wood, to take his benrings. Then rising higher, he made direct for liugeley and Stafford. Almost immediately after his departure the news reached Trent Valley signal box that Mr. Graliamo White had descended at Polesworth, about twelvo miles from Lichfield. Tlie lattor's ill-luck and misfortune aroused sincere regret among the crowd, who eagerly anticipated that he would catch his French rival. This was not to be, however, aud at 5.30 precisely 011 Thursday morning M. Paulhan cainc down at Didsbury in the middle of the field which lie had previously chosen for his descent. The news of M. l'aulhan's success wus brought to Jlr. White at Grendon, where lie had been compelled to alight 011 account of the wind. Tlie .-Englishman seemed unconcerned, and sat in a motorcar smoking a, cigarette. He spoke highly of his rival, who, he said, was the "finest (Iyer in the world, and good luck to him." He himself, he added, was only an amateur. On Sir. White's call three cheers were given for the successful aviator. Mr. White sent the following telegram to Paulhan:—"l take earliest opportunity of offering you my heartiest congratulations 011 your splendid, performance. The better man lias won." Tlie average spceil of M. Paulhan during his lliglit wns forty-seven miles 1111 hour. II is speed between Stafford and | Manchester wns almost sixty miles an hour.