CRASH INTO SEA

Dominion, Volume 20, Issue 297, 14 September 1927, Page 11

CRASH INTO SEA

OF BRITISH SEAPLANE SENT TO VENICE FOR RACE FOR SCHNEIDER CUR SENSATIONAL SPEED BY ANOTHER ENTRANT Rugby, September 12. One of the British seaplanes sent to Venice by the Air Ministry to attempt to win the Schneider Cup has met with a mishap. During a trial flight the machine, the Short Bristol Crusader, crashed into the sea. The pilot, Flying Officer Schofield, was injured about the eyes. Efforts are being made to raise the seaplane, which is under water. Great Britain has two other types of machines engaged for the race—a Supermarine Napier and a Gloster Napier the Fourth.—both widely differing in type from the Crusader. One of these, which took part in the same trial as the Crusader and was piloted by Squadron Leader Slatter, is reported to have attained the sensational speed of 31’2 miles per hour, though this lacks official confirmation.

Much was expected of the Crusader. Apart from its striking design, it is remarkable for the introduction of an air-cooled engine for the first time in the competition. The Bristol Company produced a new and exceptionally powerful type of engine called the Mercury, and the contest between it and the water-cooled Napier Lions was being awaited with very considerable interest. The Crusader had done much successful flying in this country before being shipped to Venice, and it possessed a speed greater than that at which the race was won last year by the Italians. —British Official Wireless.

BLOW TO BRITAIN’S CHANCE

Br Telegsaph.—Press association Copyright.

(Rec. September 13, 7.45 p.m.)

Rome, September 12.

A message from Venice states that Britain’s chance of winning the Schneider Cup has been dealt a blow by the crashing of the Bristol Crusader, injuring the champion seaplane pilot Schofield. The monoplane sank, and it is believed it has been so damaged that Britain will have to rely on the supermarine Napier and the GlosterNapier, both of secret design. The latter to-dav did 312 miles an hour.