CAPTAIN GILES

Evening Star, Issue 19724, 26 November 1927, Page 5

CAPTAIN GILES

AUSTRALIAN FLIGHT FAILURE BACKER S STATEMENT RESENTED Press Association—By Telegraph—Copyright. SAN FRANCISCO, November 21. Captain Giles informed his backer, Mr Kosowarnc, that unless ho retracts tho statements in his telegram that Captain Giles was not playing the game, and reflecting on his ability to get started, tho latter will resign as pilot for the Australian flight. Captain Giles also states that lie has sent a message to tho British Ambassador at Washington asking him to start an action through official channels to force the Wilber Bureau officials hero to retract tiic remarks made on Wednesday. If Mr Rosewarne does not retract the biplane will be taken to Mexico or Canada for a new attempt. THREE-CORNERED CONTROVERSY. CAPTAIN GILES’S CONTENTION. SAN FRANCISCO, November 24. (Received November 26, at 1.30 a.m.) Captain Giles’s flight has now developed into a three-cornered controversy between the flier, Mr Rosewarne, and "Major Bowie. In a statement in the ilearsfc newspapers Captain Giles says that tho local weather bureau seems unwilling to give credit to a man who did his best. He asks: How can Major Bowie comment upon conditions above the clouds far out at sea while sitting in his office in San Francisco? He relied solely on reports from ships, and thus was able to form not even the roughest opinion of the conditions applicable to aircrait. Captain Giles gives a detailed account of his encounter with the treacherous weather, including a terrific bump that caused the piano to drop 500 ft into the clouds, a half loop that set the plane on its back, and the completion of tho loop that righted the machine. The loop broke tlie centre bracing wire, and so strained tho plane that ho was compelled to drop his petrol. If ho had been equipped with a life raft he would have landed on tho sea and taken to -the raft. Ho describes the difficult flight back, and insists that no ship in tlie vicinity of his drop could truthfully report that the weather was clear. The Manoa correctly reported low-hanging clouds. The Ventura was at least 150 miles further out at sea than the spot whore ho met the hump. Attempts to reach Captain Giles, who arrived at San Francisco yesterday, failed, he having left his hotel. Mr Rosewarne is reported as saying that lie received no demand from Captain Giles for an apology, and believes that tho latter will continue. Captain Giles is quoted as saying he would like Clarence Young, of the Bureau of Aeronautics, to examine tlie plane and determine the damage and whether repairs can he made at tho Hearst ranch, also whether the damage was due to bad weather. Some quarters believe that tho flight may be abandoned. REQUEST TO BRITISH EMBASSY. NO ACTION TAKEN. WASHINGTON, November 25. 1 (Received November 26, at 9.5 a.m.) The British Embassy has received a telegram from Captain Giles protesting against tho reported imputations of the San Francisco Weather Bureau against his story that had weather forced him back to California. Captain Giles sought redress for. tho remarks as a British citizen* but the Embassy is puzzled as to what to do in the situation. , _ It is understood that Captain Giles commented _ sharply on the forecasters, Major Bowie, and Mr T. Reed. The British Embassy announced today that it would take no official action in regard to the _ request of Captain Giles for an inquiry to be opened to determine the weather conditions durhis recent flight.;