GILES AND CRITICS

Greymouth Evening Star, 26 November 1927, Page 7

GILES AND CRITICS

“A TERRIFIC BUMP"

A LIVELY CONTROVERSY

’(Australian and N.Z. Cable Association.) (By Cable—Press Assn—Copyright.)

SAN FRANCISCO, November 24.

Giles informed his backer, Rosewarne, that unless he retracts the statements in his telegram, that Giles was not playing the game, and reflecting on his ability to get started, the latter will resign as pilot for the Australian flight. Giles also states he has sent a message to the British Ambassador' at Washington/ asking him to start an actioh through official channels ,to force the Weather Bureau officials here to retract remarks made on Wednesday. If Rosewarne does not retract, the biplane will be taken to Mexico or Canada for a new attempted flight to Australia. Giles’ flight has now developed, into a three-cornered controversy between the flier, Rosewarne, and Bowie. In a statement in the Hearst newspapers, Giles says that the local Weather Bureau seems unwilling to give credit to a man who did his best. He asks: How can Bowie comment upon the conditions above the clouds far out at sea, while sitting in his office at San Francisco? He relied solely on reports from ships, and thus would not be able to form even the roughest opinion of the conditions applicable to aircraft.

Giles gives a detailed account of his encounter with the treacherous weather, including a terrific bump that caused the ’plane to drop five hundred feet into the clouds, and a half loop that set the ’plane on its back and the completion of the loop that righted the machine. The loop broke the centre bracing wire, and so trained the ’plane that he. was compelled to drop petrol. If he had been equipped with a life-raft he would have landed on the se ; a and taken to the raft.

Giles describes the difficulty of the flight back, and insists that no ship in the vicinity of his drop could truthfully report that the weather was clear. The Monoa correctly reported low-hanging clouds. The Ventura was at least 150 miles further out at seat than the spot where he met,the bump. Attempts to reach Giles, who arrived at San Franscisco yesterday, failed, he having left the hotel. Rosewarne is reported as saying that he . received no demand from Giles for an apology, and believed the latter will continue. Giles is quoted as saying that he would like Clarence Young, of the Burdau of Areonautics, to examine the ’plane to determine the damage and whether the repairs can be made to ifi at the . Hearst ranch, also whether the damage was due to bad weather as Giles contends.

The dispute has reached the stage where conflicting reports come hourly, and it is difficult to determine what, action will be taken. Some quarters believe that the flight may be abandoned. . ‘

EMBASSY’S REFUSAL.

WASHINGTON, November 25.

The British Embassy received- a telegram from Giles, protesting against the reported imputations of San Francisco Weather Bureau against his story that bad weather forced him back to California. Giles sought redress for the remarks as a British citizen, but the Embassy is puzzled as to what to do in the situation. It is understood that Giles commented sharply on the forecasters. Major Bowie and Reed. The British Embassy announced to-day that it would take no official action on the request of Giles than an inquiry be opened to determine the weather conditions during the recent flight.

“SOUTHERN CROSS.”

SAN FRANCISCO, November 24

The Southern Cross is at present having her motors overhauled, and probably will not start on the proposed endurance flight until. Sunday. The flight may be delayed several days by the construction of a special runaway to assist the hop-off.

SIR A. COBHAM’S PROGRESS. LONDON, November 25. Sir Alan Cobham has arrived at Malta. BRITAIN’S SUPER AIRSHIPS. INTERESTING PARTICULARS. LONDON, November 25. Such has been the progress with the Air Ministry’s RlOO, at the lonely workshop in East Yorkshire, that it will be ready for the trials in four moiiths. It is the largest and most powerful in the world, twice the size of the biggest Zeppelin. The first public glimpse disclosed that the colossal framework, 700 ft by 130 ft in diameter, has been completed. Into this has been built an amazjgn four-storey hotel. The gangway from the mooring mast leads to a brilliantly lighted saloon, 110 ft wide. Ranged on three sides of this are the crew’s sleep ing quarters, while immediately underneath is- what might be called the ground floor, consisting of the control and navigating rooms, a wide staircase communicating with the next: deck con taining a dining room for fifty persons and a kitchen fitted with an electric stove. From here, two four-berth cabins open out. The third or promenade deck is a glassed-in 43ft by 14ft dancing floor, music being picked up by wireless. The promenade can comfortably accommodate a hundred. The top storey consists of the remaining berths and lounge, from which passengers can look into the dining room and ballroom below. Electricity, radiators and fans are everywhere. The ship will be driven by 4200 h.p. and is provided with six Rolls Royce Condor engines and thirty-five petrol tanks, each holding a ton of petrol. Its tor speed will be 85 miles an hour. The weight with the passengers will be 156 tons. The cost is £450,000. It is expected that the trans-Atlantic fare will be £lOO for the trip occupying 48 hours. A sister ship RlOl, being built at Cardigan, is nearing the same stage of completion. .