FLYERS' STORY

Evening Post, Volume CV, Issue 135, 9 June 1928, Page 9

FLYERS' STORY

TOLD BY WIRELESS FIGHTING BAD WEATHER ' The following record of the messages from the Southern Cross, up till 4 a.m., is not the official one, but was obtained direct from tho airplane by Mr. P. J. May, on a two-valve short-wave set at the 'Wellington General Hospital. Mr. May is an expert telegraph operator, who commenced his work in Wellington, and after a number of years returned to tho Wellington office. For twelve months he has boon undergoing treatment in the Hospital, where he finds radio a wonderful diversion. A rapid and almost instinctive Morse reader, Mr. May found no difficulty in reading all clear messages, which were sent at a rate not exceeding 25 words a minute. As will be seen, ho got a very successful record of tho messages, which, however, faded off with daylight considerably. A good deal of interference was experienced after 7 a.m., as a number of enthusiasts were then trying to pick up tho messages. Tho presence of a nearby dynamo, and the X-ray plant in the Hospital, also at times interfered with tho reception. The note of the signals, said Mr. May, was a distinctive one, a decided rasp. The messages were received on a wave-length of 33.4 metres. . f The Post" is indebted to tho Medical Superintendent of the Hospital for permission to visit'Mr. May after visiting hours. Taking the note of the messages, after 10 p.m., when lights are out, was an awkward task. Mr. May is unable to sit up, and had to write by tho aid of a small torch, so as not to interfere with the other patients. During the "long hop," Mr. May remained awake for tho whole of the 35 hours, and so last night's vigil was only n moderate task. Under tho circumstances this amateur achievement is a remarkablo one. The first message regarding the flight was received at 2.20 p.m. yesterday, and the last, very faint, at 8.50 a.m. to-day. 5 p.m.—"Wo could never have made this flight without the generosity and wonderful help given us by Captain G. G. Allan Hancock, of Los Angeles, California. For months we had fought against giving up all hope, but wo were practically counted out when we met Captain Hancock, who then in a most unselfish manner saw us through. Details cannot be given. here', but we take this opportunity of publicly thanking Ztim in tho most modern manner that is by raflio from the first airplane crossing the Pacific Ocean. Wo arc not, of course, forgetting our many other friends who have helped us, we will soon be able to thank them personally, particularly Mr. Sidney, of Melbourne, now in California. The port radio generator has just gone out of action, so you may not all receive this. —Kingsford Smith and Charles T. P. Ulm, Southern Gross." 5.20 p.m.—"lt won't be too long now. Possibility of fairly dirty weather to-night. Self will relieve Smithy at controls now that lie may be better rested for night flying. We are as happy as Larry up here. Coo-co! Coo-ec! Coo-ee.—TJhn, X.A.A.8., Southern Cross." 5.50 p.m.—"6 p.m., position 2 (?) 174 deg. 3min w., altitude 3300; light cast breeze." At C.45 p.m. the position was given ns follows:—Latitude 20deg 43min south, longtitude 172deir 30min cast. Altitude 0000 ft; and at 8 p.m. (7.50 p.m. New Zealand time), .'is. latitude 21<l<>£ 1-min south, longitude ITldcg Imin ••fist. The signals were then badly interrupted. "9.5 p.m.—Position 21dcg 47miu south, lTOdeg east; cloudy. " "10 p.m.—Position L'iMeg 1/jmin south, longitude IGSdcR JSmin east; altitude 2500 ft. " ' "10.10 p.m.— Wo did not. w:int to worry everyone whilst in it, but now we :iro out. of it we will toll yon I hat for the past two hours we- 'have boon battling the worst weather of tho whole flight, at 7500 ft to 0000 ft. 'Exceptionally stormy, heavy rain, mid bumps .riving us drops of over 400 ft iit times, and generally a series of moan tricks by the elements on this our last stuge. Smith and I are wet through, but as soon as Iho moon pomes up and blind flying t .,|,i s for the ni.jht wo will eat ami have v spot of our emergency ration of whisky. I am too cold to write more. We have no gloves. Will send Inter. Cheerio We'll get then O.K.—C. T. P. (Jim' .Southern Cross.'' "11 p.m.—Position Southern Cross south of Caledonia. "Midnight (12.20 a.m. New Zealand time).—Position Southern Cross latitude .'.V-idcg 12mm south, longitude ] Glides* "Jniin cast. ' ° "1 a.m. (1.15 New Zealand lime)— Position Southern Cross 2.'idcjr KSmiu south, 105deg 22min en.st; 70S miles to Brisbane. Head winds. "2 a.m. (2.1(j a.m. New Zealand lime) —Position Southern Ci-osh 2'ldej* O.'miii south, IG-ldeg l»min each. "3 a.m. (3.30 a.m. New Zealand lime) —Position Southern Cross 24.dc.fj 25min south, loader; J3min east; \>:,:, miles from Brisbane. '■\ a.m. (.|.;j[) a.m. Xew Zialand time) —Position Kouiheni Cross 2."nle" ."iL'inin south. ]C3de X :'.3iiiin (? Kiltie.'" .ISmin) cn^t; -ISf) miles from Brisbane." THE REPORTS CONTINUED The Sn-riiaiy of the (Jen—a. Pust Office (.Mr. G. AfXama.m) r—rj ,yd trie

following message from the radio stations at Wellington and Awanui this morning:— "5 a.m.—Position; latitude 25deg 21 miv south, longitudo ICOdeg 13min east; 4.08 miles to go." At 7 a.m. New Zealand time the airplane was busy on 600 metres with the Brisbane radio station. From Wellington:—"B a.m.: Following from Southern Cross, addressed 'Sunflight Sydney,, begins: 'Here we are, nearing the Australian coast. Now in good weather after a rotten night. We have been tossed oft' our course so much during the night that I shall not bo surprised if we are quite a distance from Brisbane when we strike coast, unless Warner can got some raido boarings. Cheerio.—Ulm, Southern Cross.' " From Awanui:—"At 9 a.m. Southern Cross states one and a-half hours from Brisbane. Speed, 74 knots. Altitude, 1000 ft. Revolutions, 1030. Visibility excellent." From Wellington:—"9.ls a.m. Following from Southern Cross, addressed 'Sunflight, Sydney': 'It is now 8.50 a.m. Suva time, and if my calculations are correct we will land in Brisbane about 10.30 Suva time, or between 8.30 and 9 a.m. Brisbane time. These last few hours always seem tho longest, and Smithy and self are jusfc aching for a smoke. Altitude 1000 feet, visibility excellent. Air speed 74 knots. Revolutions 1530. Just strolling along.—Ulm, Southern Cross.' " Tho following message from ths Southern Cross was picked up by the Wellington radio station at 11 a.m.:— "Sorry late arrival Brisbane. Last night's storm blew us so far ofE coast that land first sighted was south of Ballinn. We're on our way up now.— UJni." [Ballina is about 100 miles south of Brisbane.]