FLYSNG-BOAT MISHAP PROBED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22481, 10 November 1947, Page 5

FLYSNG-BOAT MISHAP PROBED

DOWN IN ATLANTIC

IN U.S. NAVIGATOR ASLEEP

PETROL NOT CHECKED (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.)

(10 a.m.) NEW YORW, Nov. 8. The navigator of the flying-boat, Bermuda Queen, told the Civil Aeronautics Board of inquiry yesterday that he slept for nine hours as the aircraft roared into the head winds that eventually forced it down in mid-Atlantic on October 14 with 69 people aboard.

The navigator, Addison Thompson, said that members of the crew had not awakened him, even when the aircraft encountered ice and head winds that should have indicated the need for the closest check on the navigation. Thomuson said he had gone to sleep because the sky was so overcast that he could not take starsights. Radio Check Not Attempted

He admitted, under questioning, that he had not tried to determine the aircraft’s position by radio triangulation, although it had been in contact with two or three stations throughout the flight.

Thompson said he had gone to sleep the Bermuda Queen passed the point of no return —the position beyond which it was impossible to return to the takeoff base—and when he awoke he plotted the position on the basis of the flight schedule made up before the aircraft left Ireland.

The Bermuda Queen, however, had been slowed down to 68 miles an hour without his knowledge. He added that he learnt most of his navigation in racing yachts and his only experience in trans-ocean aerial navigation was on three previous Atlantic crossings. The captain of the Bermuda Queen, Charles Martin, a 26-year-old ex-navy pilot, said, in evidence, he had not kept a systematic check on the petrol consumption during the flight. Extra Passengers Carried

He disclosed he had taken on two extra passengers without consulting the operators because there were infants among the passengers and they could not weigh much. Martin said he had taken off with a gross weight of 87,6001b5,, although he knew the regulations limited Boeing flying-boats to 84,0001b5. When asked whether he would follow the same procedure in future operations, Martin replied: “I still think we did all right.” Earlier in the hearing, depositions were recorded alleging that Martin and all members of the crew ignored the passengers after landing and stayed on the flight deck until rescue was certain. The hearing will be resumed on Monday.

U.S. WORRIED

BRITISH_ACTION TOBACCO IMPORTS

IMPORTS’ PROPOSITION (N.Z.P.A.—Reuter— Copyright.)

NEW YORK, Nov. 7. The United States Department of Agriculture is so worried by the prospects of Britain turning permanently to the Dominions and colonies for tobacco supplies that it has submitted new proposals to the British tobacco importers, by which they would agree to buy American tobacco when and if they have the necessary dollars.

Reuter’s correspondent in Washington, who reports that he learned this authoritatively, adds that some time ago a similar proposal was submitted by which Britain, which ceased to buy United States tobacco in October because of the dollar shortage, would agree to give priority in any revived purchasing programme to the immense stocks of tobacco which had been accumulating in American warehouses as a result of the British withdrawal from the market and of the United States Government’s policy of holding unsold tobacco for growers in order to maintain the price levels. Britain refused to agree to that proposal because it was felt if that she committed herself to a future purchasing policy for tobacco, she would also have to make similar commitments for other commodities.

The Department of Agriculture feels so strongly on the subject it has now come back with its new proposal. Officials fears that British policy will encourage the Dominions and colonies to increase their tobacco output during the period in which Britain is unable to make purchases in the United States because of the dollar shortage.