AIRMEN DISCOVERED

Dominion, Volume 23, Issue 159, 1 April 1930, Page 11

AIRMEN DISCOVERED

SUCCESSFUL SEARCH FOR SMITH AND SHIERS MANY RESCUE PARTIES OUT FOUND BY MOTORISTS FROM BROOME ii (United Press Association. —Bj; Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ' (Rec. March 31, 11.20 p.m.) Sydney, March 31. Mr. W. R. Felton, a private radio experimenter in Sydney, received a message from Wyndham this afternoon saying that Smith and Shiers had been found, and asking that the civil aviation authorities be advised. Confirmation was received from Perth that the flyers were found about 1.40 this afternoon by Sergeant King’s motor party, which started out from Broome. A radio message was received from Smith at Wyndham meat works at 2 p.m. saying: “We were found by King’s party. All OK. Thanks to station VMZAJ. Smith.’ [Mesdrs. David Smith and Walter Shiers were forced to make a landing in wild country beside the Ord River during a flight to W’yndham, whence they intended to start for England. Mr. Smith, who is 20 years of age, received his schooling in the New South Wales Aero Club, and has made many crosscountry flights. He is using a Ryan monoplane, with 200 h.p. Whirlwind engines. Mr. Smith’s mechanic, Mr. M. W. Sheirs, was associated with Sir Ross Smith and Sir Keith Smith in their memorable flight to Australia.] EFFORTS OF SEARCHERS MAROONED MEN APPEAL FOR FOOD

(Rec. March 31, 8 p.m.) Sydney, March 31. According to a message from the aeroplane City of Sydney at 2 o’clock yesterday afternoon, Smith and Shiers were obviously considering a dash for the nearest station. At that period their food was low, but water was plentiful. As,the machine carried no receiving set the airmen did not know whether their messages were being received. Many search parties are out; one since 3.15 p.m., Saturday, and another from daylight on Sunday. A posse from Wyndham returned and reported going thirty miles past the spot where the men were supposed to have landed. Wyndham received a wireless message from the ’plane at 6.15 p.m. yesterday. The airmen reported that their batteries were low and they appealed for food to be sent immediately. Mealey’s party, which has returned, searched the east side of the Ord River. Observation was difficult in a motor-car" owing to the long grass. A party *- .<ent out in search on the other : ” on horseback. A search by air for Smith and Shiers began to-day by a West Australian Airways aeroplane which was flying north-west from Perth to Derby aiid Wyndham. Another aeroplane belonging to Quantas the Queensland Service was ready to search from Longreach. Ulm and Litchfield of Sydney contemplated joining an air party 'with a National Airways giant Foki- ..similar to the Southern Cross. Furiher appeals for food and assistance were received to-day from the marooned flyers. They stated that they were erecting a higher aerial hoping that their messages would be heard. PIPER AND KAYE FORCED DOWN ENGINE GIVES TROUBLE EXPECT TO REACH SYDNEY ■ 'TO-MORROW (Roe. March 31, 8 p.m.) Sydney, March 31. • Flying-Officers Piper and Kaye, who reached Darwin from England yesterday week, experienced engine trouble after leaving Longreach yesterday morning, and tvere forced down for repairs. They will not reach Sydney until Wednesday.