DENSE FOG TIES UP PLANES AND SHIPS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22808, 1 December 1948, Page 7

DENSE FOG TIES UP PLANES AND SHIPS IN BRITAIN AND EUROPE

(N.Z.P. A.—Reuter—Copyright.)

(10.30 a.m.) LONDON, Nov. 30. The dense fog which for several days has disrupted air, land and sea communications over a widespread area of Britain and Europe today held up 100 coasters and colliers in a 12-mile stretch of the Thames from Oanvey Island to below the Nore lighthouse at the estuary. Visibility Only 20 Yards *

Visibility worse than yesterday—was only 20 yards this morning. All British European Airways’ Continental “short hauls”—the services to Paris, Brussels and Amsterdam —were cancelled.

Only two British Aircraft abroad at the moment are marooned by fog in Istanbul and Copenhagen. In Paris the airports of Orly and Le Bourget Were fogbound and had#to be closed.

Fog'also blanketed Berlin stopping the airlift. However, in London, for the first time in four days, the sky was visible in a few areas for a time, but later visibility dropped to 50 yards again. Fog once again prevented the sailing of the liner Queen Elizabeth. It was announced she will not sail before tomorrow.

Fishing Fleet Stopped On the fog be-shrouded Sussex Coast, the Hastings fishing fleet is unable to put to sea. Shipping between Dun* geness and Beach Head continued. Greatly delayed train services in London and the Home Counties were running up to 30 minutes late. London’s air has reached saturation point with fog so that the roofs, roadways and trees are dripping wet. This combined with the icy conditions, has made the roadways dangerously slippery. An Air Ministry weather expert reported: “The fog extends over the area south of tho line between Manchester and Liverpool, with average temperatures last night up to 37 degrees. Weather experts predict no immediate relief from the fog and a 5 per cent, power cut over the whole of England and Wales lasting up to one hour added to the population’s discomfort..