VICTORIAN AVIATOR'S DEATH

Evening Star, Issue 16409, 27 April 1917, Page 4

VICTORIAN AVIATOR'S DEATH

FLIGHT OVER MELBOURNE DISASTER. BIPLANE FALLS INTO BAY. Mr Basil G. Watson, a young Victorian aviator, met his death in tragic circumstances near the Laverton military camp on tho afternoon of March 23. Alter flying from Albert Park over Melbourne to Point Cook he was looping the loop at a height of about 2,000 ft, when the wings of his machine buckled, and he was •dashed downwards at a terrific rate. He fell into the bay within about 60ft of the shore, and was killed ill most instantly. Tho military camp was at the time crowded with soldiers, who had been interested spectators ox the display, and when Watson fell it seemed certain that the machine would fall right into the midst of the men. But the ill-fated young airman, realising, the danger in which the men wore placed, succeeded by a plucky el fort in steering clear of the camp. He was found lying in sft of water beneath the wreckage of his aeroplane. Within a minut-a of tho accident dozens of soldiers had leaped into the sea to effect a rescue. Among the first to enter the water was Major Mitchell, the medical officer at Laverton camp, and with his professional knowledge he at once discovered that the case was hopeless. Watson died just as assistance reached him. His body was badly crushed, one leg was broken, and his skull is believed to have been fractured. When the accident occurred Watson was just preparing to land after a magnificent flight over Melbourne, which was witnessed by many thousands of people. He set off from Albert Park at 5.15 p.m., with the intention of flying to tho aviation school at Point Cook, which he has often previously visited. ..He was driving his own machine, a Scout tractor biplane, which he constructed at his father’s home in Melbourne. The biplane had recently been overhauled, and the planes covered with Assam silk, in place of Egyptian cotton. It was with the object of testing the machine, preparatory to giving a public exhibition at a gymkhana arranged to take place at Caulfield Racecourse, that the young airman made his flight. He looped the loop on three or four occasions at the commencement of the trip, and caused great excitement by a daring nose dive from a great height. At 5.50 p.m. he was observed sailing over the city at a rapid rate, until, eventually, he passed out of sight, a mere speck in the sky. He arrived over Laverton. flying inch, and showing perfect control over his machine. Four times ho was seen to loop the loop before the accident happened. Eye-witnesses of the tragic.occurrence state that the biplane seemed to crumple all at onco and then begin to fall rapidly. Watson apparently never lost _ his presence of mind, even when death stared him in the face, and his last act was his heroic and successful effort to prevent his machine from falling into the midst of tho soldiers who we.ro watching his display from the camp. Had Watson failed to steer clear of the camp nothing but a miracle could have saved several of the assembled spectators front death, Tho deceased airman, who was onlv 25 years of ago, was one of the most intrepid and skilled "flyers” in Australia. Ho served some time with the -Sopwith Company, and early in. the war assisted in testing biplanes to be used cn active service. .About 12 months ago, while testing a biplane fitted with "a 130 horsepower Sunbeam engine, he met with a serious accident, which resulted in his being definitely rejected for active service. Upon his return to Victoria in June last he contructed a biplane, using Australian material. Afterwards he flew from Point Cook to Bendigo, where he gave an aerial demonstration in aid of the local patriotic fund. On December 16 ha flew from Bendigo'- to Mcllkiuit.c, passing over Mount Maced on at an altitude of "9.000 ft. On January 24 Mr Watson loft Melbourne by his aeroplane for Wnrrmnnbool, conveying a letter from the Lord Mayor to the Mayor of Warrnambool. He covered the distance of 160 miles in Ihr 40min. Thereafter ho visited Hamilton, Casterton, and Mount Gambler in turn, and on the return journey he •brought to Melbourne from each of 'those towns a large number of letters, totalling 2,000.

Mr Watson was a man of quiet, unassuming disposition, who made many friends. Ho was unmarried. One of his brothers, Flight-lieutenant Eric Watson, was recently granted a commission in the P.oyal Flying Corps in Groat Britain.