JEAN BATTEN OVERDUE

Greymouth Evening Star, 16 November 1935, Page 7

JEAN BATTEN OVERDUE

ANXIETY AROUSED

A SAFE ARRIVAL

[by CABLE —PRESS ASSN. —COPYBIGHT.]

RIO DE JANIERO, November 14.

Early to-night, Miss Jean Batten was several hours overdue in her flight from Natal. Considerable anxiety is felt as storms are reported 400 miles northward, approximately, in her course.

It has been reported that she has been several times sighted since she left Natal. The last report was at 2.10 p.m., New York time, when she was over Victoria. The British Embassy is making preparations to institute an aerial search. LATER. A United Press despatch from Sao Paulo, relayed an unconfirmed report from a nearby village that a craft, which at the time was believed to be Jean Batten’s, crashed in the darkness. The report, if true, would have meant that, she overflew Rio southwards by many miles. A later report, however, disclosed that the 'plane was not Miss Batten’s, but by coincidence, a private craft crashed in that area, but the pilot was uninjured. Meanwhile, Miss Batten is still missing and an extensive search is being pressed. At dawn, the Pan-American Airways is sending several-’planes in search between here and Victoria. A great throng gathered at the local airport and dispersed in disappointment at nightfall.

MR. FORBES’ MESSAGE.

OAMARU, November 15

The Prime Minister, Mr. G. W. Forbes, has sent on behalf of the citizens of the Dominion, a cablegram to Jean Batten congratulating her on her splendid achievement. PLANE SLIGHTLY DAMAGED. (Recd. November 16, 11 a.m.) RIO DE JANIERO, November 15. Jean Batten is unhurt. She arrived here at ten o’clock this morning (New York time), having been found by Brazilian army planes at Praia Secca, about 53 miles north of Rio de Janeiro. . Jean Batten said that a leak in the rear of the gas tank compelled her to land last night. “I made a perfect landing, but, fearing the rising tide would damage the plane, I made an effort to taxi into the high grass, bu,t the beach was uneven and the plane tipped over, bending the propellor. I spent the night at the house of a fishing family.” The first intimation that Jean Batten was safe came over by telegraph from her, saying she was forced down. Three Brazilian army planes flew to the rescue and brought her to Rio.

Jean Batten has laid claim to a world’s speed record for crossing the South Atlantic. She states: “I flew from Dakar to Natal in thirteen hours fifteen minutes.” v ., She said she expected to fly to Buenos Ayres, when the plane is repaired.

TRIBUTE TO COURAGE.

LONDON, November 15.

. The “Daily Telegraph’’ says:—Jean Batten flew without parachute, lifebelt or boat, technical skill and physical endurance enabling her to break record's. She would be unknown if she had not immense courage.

SEARCH FOR SMITH.

PLANE SEEN JN SIAM?

(Received November 16, 8 a.m.) SINGAPORE, November 15. The Air Force received a message from E. L. Miles. European manager of a tin mine at Takuata. ten miles inland on the west coast of Siam, that he received definite information that a three propeller aeroplane was seen living at its lowest, south of Takuata, at 7.30 a.m, on November 8. A squadron of bombers, and two flying boats are proceeding to that area, which they are thoroughly searching to-morrow. They think that the aeroplane must be Kingsford Smith’s, as all others in that area at that time, are accounted for.

R.A.F. ENDEAVOURS

SINGAPORE, November 14

The Royal Air Force is continuing the search for Kingsford Smith. A squadron of Vildcbeestes left Singapore for a most intensive search in the jungle islands and coasts again. Flying boats are continuing wide sweeps of the Bay of Bengal.

AUSTRALIANS DEPART.

SYDNEY, November 15.

Pilot Taylor and co-pilot Harry Purvis -with John Stannage as radio operator. took off for Singapore at 2.30 p.m. to-day in the teeth of a howling north-easter which will retard their progress. Taylor described the flying conditions as very bad. They may not get beyond Narroraine to-day. He hopes to reach Darwin on Sunday and Singapore on Tuesday. Their twin-engined Gannet machine has been completely tested and is equipped with hand-flares, Verey light pistol, rubber rafts, medicine chest, telescope, binoculars, and emergency rations.

MELROSE’S MISHAP

PENANG, November 14.

Melrose arrived by train and was furnished with spares by the flying club. He took off in a flying club plane for Victoria Point this morning. Melrose on Tuesday left Victoria Point for Mergui but after one hour’s flying, engine trouble forced him to land on the beach. It was high tide and the plane entered the water. The propeller was damaged but can easily be repaired.