TASMAN CROSSED

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 87, 11 January 1928, Page 9

TASMAN CROSSED

AVIATORS REACH NEW ZEALAND NO LANDING YET REPORTED AEROPLANE SEEN AT VARIOUS POINTS At 2.44 a.m. (5.14 a.m. New Zealand time) .yesterday morning Lieutenant J. R. Moncrieff and Captdin George Hood, in the monoplane Ao-tea-roa, started on their 1400-mile flight across the Tasman Sea from Sydney to Wellington. The weather was fiije in Sydney when the monoplane took off from the Richmond Aerodrome, and climbing well headed out over the sea. At 8.20 a.m. the Radio Station at Wellington reported that the ’plane’s automatic wireless signal was heard very loud on 33.5 metres, and ten minutes later the. station picked up a message that the Maunganui, nearing Sydney Heads on her way from Wellington had sighted the flieis at 3.17 a.m. (5.47 a.m. New Zealand time). The weather was gloriously fine in and about Wellington, and as the automatic signals continued to be picked up from time to time, high hopes were held that the monoplane was making good progress. Sydney picked up the whine of the automatic signal at 6.48 a.m., stronger at 8.40 a.m., and very loud and continuous at 8.45 a.m. (New Zealand times). Radio, Wellington, was t not getting the signals at 10 o’clock, but Sydney was receiving them at 10.33 a.m. A station operated by Mr. Baggs, telegraph engineer at Christchurch, picked up the signals and held them for ten minutes. He also received the signals from 11.13 a.m. to 11.44 a.m., when they weakened, but at 3.33 p.m. he was getting them very distinctly. Meanwhile crowds were pouring out by’ rail and road to Trentham, and late in the afternoon there was a continuous stream of cars, buses, and motorcycles on the road. By 5 p.m. hundreds of cars were parked in the vicinity of Trentham racecourse? The perfect weather conditions and the regularity of the wireless signals gave rise to a belief that the fliers would make a quicker flight than the 14 hours,, and soon after 5 o’clock thousands were scanning the skies for signs of their approach. The last signal from the plane was received by the telegraph engineer in Christchurch at 5.33 p.m., and thereafter was silence. The time sped on, and at 7.15 p.m. there was great expectancy, but the crowd was doomed to disappointment. The sun dropped lower and lower, and still there was no sign nor news of the airmen. The dusk crept on, and finally darkness came, and keen disappointment and something like dismay spread through the crowd. Shortly after ten o’clock, when the crowd had dwindled to a few hundreds,' a message was received from the Telegraph Department stating tha the lightkeeper a( Stephen Island on the south-west entrance to Cook Strait had reported sighting the ’plane. A few minutes later came a report that it had been sighted from Paekakariki at 9 o’clock. Confirmation of the Stephen Island report added that the ’plane was seen at 9.30 p.m. on a direct line from Cape Egmont, flying in the direction of Wellington. Later came a report from Foxton stating that an aeroplane had been seen at 10.5 p.m. well up and flying as if seeking a landing.. Still later it was reported that the Arahura, bound to Nelson, had sighted a ’plane at 11 p.m. off Jackson’s Head. This conflicted again with a report that the collier Kaiwarra, which left Wellington last evening for Newcastle, had reported sighting a ’plane dropping flares off Porirua Harbour, Stephen Island reported that the weather was cloudy, but showed signs of clearing. . When the various reports began to come in an effort was made to light up- the. landingground inside the racecourse. Some twenty or thirty motor-cars switched on their lights and •spread the beams and a bonfire was lighted. At midnight all hope of the airmen landing at T rentham was abandoned, the belief being that the airmen had made the New Zaeland coast too late to reach the appointed destination, and were flying* about in the hope of making a safe forced landing: The latest report from Trentha m at 2 o’clock this morning was to the effect that little hope was then entertained that the aeroplane would land there before daylight. The probability of the aeroplane being compelled to make a forced landing at some remote point on the coast was also discussed. Several points in the Wairarapa and Kaitoke reported an aeroplane overhead, and similar reports came from various suburbs, in the city. Air Force officials sent up rockets at intervals up till about 2 o’clock this morning. At time of going to press the whereabouts of the aeroplane is a complete mystery. ; a (

THE “HOP-OFF”

OFFICIAL MESSAGE AVIATORS FIT AND IN GOOD SPIRITS The first official intimation that Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood had taken off from the Richmond aerodrome at Sydney was received by the Post Office by radio from Sydney a few minutes after 6 o’clock yesterday morning. The message, was as follows:— •‘Moncrieff, pilot, with Hood, left at 2.44 a.m. Weather good. Wireless is- now working on 33 metres.—Signed, Kight.’-’ This advice was followed a few minutes later by a brief Press Association message:—“Aviators hop-ped-off for New Zealand 2.44 this morning.’Men Fit and in Good Spirits. At* 9.30 a.m. the following cable message was received from Sydney:—

* When the aviators started up the engine at 2 this morning it was found that an over-supply of lubricating oil ’ had been pumped into the containers, the overflow choking some vital points in the machine. The trouble was soon remedied, and at 2.4 a.m. Moncrieff and Hood took their places in the machine. Moncrieff, as pilot, gave the order to start, the chucks were pulled from the wheels, the propeller revolved, and at 2.44 the engine was revolving at cruising speed. The pilot . waved his hand as the signal for departure. The "all clear” was given. The monoplane taxied into the open space of the aerodrome, and within a hundred yards had risen and turned direct for New Zealand. In a few seconds it was lost to sight and sound. Tests carried out before leaving showed the wireless to be in proper working order. Both Hood and Moncrieff expressed themselves as being absolutely physically fit and in good spirits, and said that they were ready to undertake the journey cheerfully and confidently. Messages were sent to the airmen’s wives stating that they expected to be with them in Wellington that night. The State Meteorologist was' at the aerodrome with a specially prepared weather report. He said that as far as he could make out, the weather was particularly favourable. , Weather reports were received from New Zealand by wireless till 12.30 a.m., and also from ships at sea. Sighted by Maunganui. At noon ,a further Press Association cable message was received from Sydney stating that the Maunganui, which had arrived from Wellington that morning, had experienced exceptionally fine weather on the voyage across the Tasman Sea. The cable message added: “At 3.16 o’clock this morning, when <«jiiiiiiiii!iiniiitiiiiiiiit]iiiiiiiiiiiiniiiiiiiiiiiinimiiiiiiiitiiiiiiiiini§

the vessel was about fifteen miles off the Australian coast, the aviators were dimly discernible. They passed overhead at daxvn at a considerable height. The engine sounded to be working perfectly.” HOW THE NEWS FILTERED THROUGH RECEPTION OF SIGNALS By means of an automatic wireless transmitter Lieutenant Moncrieff and Captain Hood hoped to keep in touch with tlie outside world by- giving radio signals at intervals throughout the day. Working on a 33-metre wavelength it was arranged that a "whine” should be sent out continuously, no messages as regards position or progress being 'dispatched. Many listen-ers-in in all parts of the Dominion yesterday failed to detect the “whine” which might have been due to atmospheric defects or failure of the apparatus. The ‘‘butting in” of amateurs on shortwave transmitting sets made reception of the signals the more difficult. Officers of the Post and Telegraph Department had. been instructed ti listen specially for these signals at Wellington, Christchurch,' and Awarua. Locally the signals were heard tip to 8.59 a.m., coming through quite clearly, but after that they faded away. Christchurch, however, reported having picked up the signals' at 10.33 a.m., holding them until 10.43, the signals being plain although weak. Again at 11.13 Christchurch heard the signals, but they weakened at 11.44 and were lost until late in the afternoon. ’ ,

Radio messages received from Sydney showed that the aviators’ signals were heard there between 9.30 a.m. and 10 a.m., and that they then faded away, to be beard again for a moment at 10.55 a.m, At 11.40 a.m. Sydney advised that no “whine” could be heard. The last time signal from the aviators to be received in New Zealand was at 5.22 p.m., after which nothing further was heard until advice was received in Wellington that the ’plane had been sighted off Paekakiriki at 9 p.m. and later at Stephen Island, just off Nelson at 9.50 p.m. The Official Statement. The following is the official statement issued by the P. and T. Department as to the signals heard throughout the day:— 12>30 a.m.—Message telephoned by Radio, Wellington, that aviators would leave at 2 a.m. 6.10 a.m.—Superintendent.. Telegraph Office, Auckland, reported that news had been broadcasted that flight commenced 2.44 a.m. 6.15 a.m.—Radio Wn. reported flight commenced 5.14 a.m., New Zealand time. 8.10 a.m.—Radio Wn. reported automatic signal heard very loud on 33.5 metres. 8.20 a.m.—Radio Wn. reported Maunganui sighted aviators at 3.17 a.m. (5.47 a.m. New Zealand time/ 9 a.m.—Radio Wn. states Sydney reported picked up. whine (signal) at (5.48 a.m. Stronger at 8.40; very loud at 8.45 a.m. and continuous. (New Zealand time.) 9.30 a.m.—Radio Wn. states whine not heard after 8.59 a.m. Sydney radio still getting signal, but much weaker. 10.5 a.m.—Radio Wn. states no sign whine, but Sydney reports receiving it between 9.30 and 10 a.m. N.Z. time on low-pitched note, gradually dropping in strength, now only strength but constant

.ill a.m.—Station operated by Air. Baggs, Telegraph Engineer, Christchurch, reports picked up aeroplane on 33.3 metres at 10.33 a.m., and held him until 10.43 a.m. Signals plain, although weak. 11.10 a.m.—Radio Wn. states Sydney reports no sign whine 10.37 to 10.55 a.m., then received for one minute, then lost again. 11.40 a.m.—Radio Wn. states no further information available. Neither Sydney or Radio Wn. receiving whine. 11.44 a.m.—Christchurch engineer received continuously from 11.13 to 11x44, when weakened., 1 12.30 p.m—Nothing heard since 11.44. 2.30 p.m.—No further signals reported. 3.25 p.m.—No further signals reported from any stations. 5.22 p.m.—Final signal heard at Christchurch. 9 p.m—Sighted off Paekakiriki. 9.50 p.m.—Sighted at Stephen Island. 10.10—Sighted off Foxton. 11.0—Sighted by s.s. Arahura over Jackson Head, near Picton. 11.50—Heard over Porirua. 12.15—Heard over Martinborough and later over Featherston. MRS. MONCRIEFF’S THANKS At midnight Mrs. Moncrieff, speaking from Trentham over the wireless, expressed every confidence in her husband’s capacity to make a successful landing, and 'at the same time conveyed her deep thanks to the public who had attended at Trentham during the afternoon and evening for the kindly interest they had taken in the enterprise,. < ■