SOUTHERN CROSS LEAVES

Greymouth Evening Star, 13 October 1928, Page 7

SOUTHERN CROSS LEAVES

RETURN FLIGHT OVER TASMAN ROUGH WEATHER ENCOUNTERED

•TAKING off after a 650 yards’ run at 4:55 a.m. to-day, the monoplane Southern Cross rose slowly, circled around Blenheim, and commenced her return flight across the Tasman Sea, bound for the Richmond Aerodrome, New South Wales.

A PERFECT START. SCENES AT BLENHEIM. (Per Press Association.) BLENHEIM, October 13. At dawn this morning, the Southern Cross took off on her flight from New Zealand to Australia, in the presence of between 4000 and 5000 people, who, gave the fliers a rousing farewell. The plane left the ground at 4.54 a.m. People assembled at the aerodrome before midnight, and from that time the crowd .grew steadily. They congregated round the hangar wherein the Southern Cross was housed, making a remarkable scene in the halflight. Punctually at four o’clock, Squad-ron-Leader Kingsford Smith and party arrived in a car, and were cheered again and again as they donned their flying suits. Then came the fliers’ farewell to the people of New Zealand, in which sincere thanks was returned for the hospitality and appreciation of many kindnesses received from everybody. Dawn was just breaking when the big plane was moved from the hangar to the runway. She was ready for the take-off at 4.45 a.m., but some of the crowd were encroaching on the runway, and some delay occurred until they were forced out of danger. At 4.51 a.m., Squadron-Leader Smith waved his hand in signal and opened up the engines. The Southern Cross bounded down the runway at 80 miles per hour,* and after covering 650 yards, rose gently in a perfect take-off. She turned in a half circle back towards the hangar at a height of 100 feet, and, with two Bristols in attendance, sped over Blenheim to Cloudy Bay. At five o’clock, the three machines had vanished, and the historic flight had begun. Two miles out to sea the Bristols turned back, to land again at 5.20 a.m. The fliers have been recommended to proceed on a northerly course from Cook Strait to Latitude 30S, Longitude 165 E. This is the position in the Tasman approximately in the same latitude as Auckland. From this point, the fliers will proceed in a beeline for Sydney. However, if the head winds encountered in the early part of the journey do not exceed 25 miles per hour, the Southern Cross will travel direct to Sydney without proceeding north at all.

Kia Ora. J. G. Coates.” The reply was as follows: —“Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister, Wellington. Before taking off fr(gn Blenheim for Sydney, my companions and I wish to express once again keen appreciation of the splendid hospitality extended to lus in all the portions of New Zealand r which we were privileged to visit. We > carry with us most pleasant memories i, of a wonderful country and a warm- . hearted, virile people. We would like to take this opportunity, just before > clambering aboard the Southern Cross, jto express to you, and your Govern- . ment, and to your departmental offit cers, our heartfelt thanks for many . kindnesses. Farewell New Zealand. .C. E. Kingsford Smith.” WEATHER ROTTEN. HEAVY WIND AND RAIN. (Copyright from Southern Cross.) • WELLINGTON, October 15. The following messages have been • received from the Southern Cross: — 6.10 a.m. Many bumps through the Straits. True course 309 degrees, i against a strong head wind; altitude 500 feet ; air speed 79 knots. The sky ’is overcast, but seems to be improving. Still bumpy, and much cloud above, with slight rain. Leaving the last; of the South Island on the port beam. Heavy seas below. If the present strength of the head wind lasts more than six hours we will return to Blenheim. 8.20 a.m. : Have been in sun and wind storm for the last hour at an altitude of under 500 feet. Sky very overcast, visibility nil, thick rain in cockpit. Weather rotten. Strong north to north-east wind. Gloves wet through and hands very cold. PROGRESS REPORTS. WELLINGTON, October 13. The Secretary of the General Post Office has received the following messages concerning the flight. of the Southern Cross: ‘ 'Southern Cross hopped off for Sydney at 4.54 a.m. “At 5.7 a.m. picked up the Southern Cross and echanged signals. 5.23 a.m. : Still working. Plane in wireless communication both ways. Plane working excellently. 5.30 a.m. : Plane attempting to communicate with radio, Sydney. Sydney reports short wave signals swinging

farewell messages. BLENHEIM, October 13. Prior to entering the Southern Cross, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith handed to the Press the following message to the people of New Zealand, on behalf of the crew and himself:—“On the eve of the departure of the. Southern Cross on the return trip to Sydney, we feel that we cannot undertake this trip without a final farewell message of goodwill to the people of the Dominion. Our short stay here has confirmed the ah eadj high opinion which we had of the people of New Zealand, and in addition has been the means of forming many new and treasured friendships. We can honestly say that nowhere in the course of our flying careers have we been so enthusiastically and hospitably received as by the New Zealand people, and in a small way we have been the means of further cementing the cordial relations between our two countries. We feel, indeed, that, our visit has done some good. Again, with every expression of goodwill from the crew of the Southern Cross to the people of New Zealand, we say ‘Cheerio,’ till we meet again.” At 3.30 a.m., Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith received the following brief telegram from His Excellency the Governor-General: “Good luck. Gover-nor-General.” The following reply Was immediately despatched: “His Excellency, the Governor-General, Wellington. My companions and I wish to thank you and her Excellency for your kindly interest in us, and for your messages of encouragement. C. E. Kingsford Smith.” At 3.45 a.m., the following telegram was received from the Prime Minister: “On behalf of New Zealand, I desire to extend to yourself, Flight-Lieut. Him, and Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams, hearty good wishes for a safe journey back to Sydney. We have been delighted to have you with us, and trust that you will have pleasant recollections of your stay in the Dominion.

badly and having difficulty to hold his signals. 5.46 a.m. : Plane taking bearings. Key locked. Received 6.14 a.m. : Southern Cross position 6 ,a.m. New Zealand time latitude 40.44 S., longitude 174.09 E, course 309 deg. true, speed 49 knots. 7 a.m. : Still in two-way communication with Southern Cross. All well. 7.10 a.m. : Southern Cross asking what ship is that below. 7.30 a.m. : Plane reports all well, Nothing to transmit. 8.30 a.m. : Southern Cross reports all well, doing 50 knots. Altitude 500 feet. 9 a.m. : D.R. position, lat. 39.13 South, long. 171.24 East. Altitude 600 feet.. Speed fifty-five knots. Course 309 degrees.

AIRMEN’S INTENTIONS. POSSIBILITY OF RETURN. BLENHEIM, October 13. Prior to leaving Blenheim, the fliers announced that should they encounter heavy head winds in the early stages of the journey, so that the speed should be reduced below the margin of safety, they would carry on for about seven hours, in the hope of running into better conditions predicted on the other side of the Tasman, but if there were no improvement in this time, they would turn back to Blenheim, landing here four or five hours after turning. WELLINGTON SURPRISED. WELLINGTON, October 13. It was with considerable surprise that the announcement was heard here that the aviators had actually left, for a heavy and blustering northerly, almost of gale force, is blowing in Wellington. Rain is threatening, and the weather appears likely to become worse than better.

TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION.

WELLINGTON, October 13.

TRANS-ATLANTIC TRIP.

LONDON, October 11.

The Zeppelin left Friedrichshafen at 7.52 in the morning for America. Sixty persons are aboard, whereof 20 are passengers. The weather was calm and the route is being fixed in accordance with wireless weather reports received en route. The first report will be made from Bale (Switzerland). “The Times’s” Berlin correspondent says: It is estimated that the Zeppelin’s flight to America will occupy 60 to 70 hours.

EFFICIENT GERMANS.

LONDON, October 12.

Major Turner, the “Daily Telegraph’s” aviation expert, reporting from Berlin, expresses admiration at the efficiency and the discipline in the delicate operation of starting out with the Zeppelin. The whole thing called for nerve and skill. The airship fitted its hangar almost like a glove, with only a few inches between the envelope and the roof.

UNUSUAL PASSENGER.

BERLIN, October 11.

Perhaps the most remarkable passenger on the Zeppelin is the American, Frederick Gilfillen, who has been marooned in Europe for the past 12 years, owing to his fear of a sea voyage. He was twice shipwrecked while trying to cross the Atlantic. On the

The Post Office advises : “The Southern Cross lost our signals after two and a-half hours out. The plane signals are very strong. We have now established two-way communication through the s.s. Maheno. The plane reports all well.” • ' THE FIRST FLIGHT. The Southern Cross left the Rich- 1 mond Aerodrome for New Zealand at 5.34 p.m. on September 10, and landed at the Sockburn Aerodrome at 9.25 a.m. on September 11, thus accomplishing the first flight across of the Tasman. ZEPPELIN’S VOYAGE.

second occasion he swore that he would not tread the deck of a ship again. ' NOT IDEAL ROUTE. LONDON, October 12. Commenting on the Zeppelin’s trip, the “Daily Chronicle” expresses the opinion that the Atlantic crossing is not an ideal route for an airship, and says that the route, on the other hand, is peculiarly adapted to a combination of the steamer and the aeroplane. Ideal airship routes, it says, are those to India and Australia, where greater distances and the indirectness of the sea voyage would multiply the airship’s supremacy. The Empire had more to gain thereby than any other unit, and ought already to have tackled the job. ADVERSE WEATHER MET. Australian Press Assn.-United Service.) (Recd. Octobei' 13, 9 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. A message from Friedrichshafen states that adverse weather is hampering the Zeppelin, and it will probably be a hundred hours before she will reach Lakehurst, compared with 75 hours of the ZR3, whose course was 2000 kilometres shorter. Nothing has been received direct from the Zeppelin since last night, but her wireless was heard in code, talking with steamers since seven o’clock this morning. BERLIN, October 12. The Zeppelin appears to be making slower progress than expected. If the times are correct, she took five hours to do the 150 miles from Barcelona to Castellon, De La Plana and then only five hours to do the 410 miles from the latter to Gibraltar, where she passi ed at five o’clock this morning. She had previously wirelessed that she

hoped to pass the Azores at two o’clock this morning.

PASSENGERS AIR-SICK.

(Australian Press Assn. —United Service.)

(Received October 13, 9.43 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. A message from Ponta Delgada states that the Zeppelin passed over Madeira at 10.35 p.m., Greenwich time. It sent a wireless message, stating that it would pas the Azores to-night. The passengers are exceedingly airThe Zeppelins timetable, after Basle, reads: Belfast 9.45, Bron (near Lyons) 12.25, Montelimar 2.45, Saintes Del Amer 3.30, Barcelona 6.50. Thereafter’ the messages are confused, but it is recalled that Eckener, before the start was made, expressly warned the public against anxiety if there was no news. There is some surprise that the Zeppelin is making the voyage during bad weather. It is known that Eckener admitted that the weather was dirty enough outside, but as he glanced at the airship he seemed full of confifidence, and said he would go at all costs.

LEVINE CRASHES.

NEW YORK, October 11.

Disaster ended the airman Levine’s attempt at a flight to Rome. His Bellanca Columbia plane, very heavily laden, crashed at the golf links two miles from Curtis Field. It was unable to rise over the tree tops. The two pilots were unhurt. The plane was badly smashed and strained.

AUSTRALIA PURCHASES ’PLANES

SYDNEY, October 12.

The Minister of Defence announces that an order has been placed for 28 modern two-seater aeroplanes for the Ail* Force.