POTENT CHARMS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 10566, 20 April 1928, Page 5

POTENT CHARMS.

I''ITZM’ATJ IMGJ'7,S BELIEF. ILL-OMEN AT START OF FLIGHT. NARROW' ESCAPE FROM ~ DISASTER. PRACTICALLY ALL HOPE COM-: WHEN LIGHTHOUSE! SEEN. United Th-esa Assn, by EL Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.! ‘ OTTAWA, April 18. A United Press' message from Clarke • .City * -states that superstition. which plays so large a part in the life,-of Erislnuen, caused .Major Fitzmqurice many uncomfortable moments as the Bremen winged her way across the Atlantic, but the courageous flier believed that the charm,s he carried were potent enough to overcome the ill-omen that literally and actually crossed the path of the airmen us they left terra lirma at Baldomiel. This was disclosed by the first, extended interview Major Fitzmauriee has given since reaching the continent. lie related the story upon arrival' here with Duke Schiller after a hazardous trip from Natashquan in an effort to reach Murray Bay. “When we started off - from Bat donnol there was an ill-omen, for jusl as the engine picked up speed we saw ahead a sheep wander on to the runway. We did .not 'have enough -speed to raise the, monoplane into the air clear, 'hut it bounced, and the tail of the machine hit the sheep, i. presume this left a, bloody trail long the runway to mark our passage, and n probably did some damage .to our machine. ‘‘All the way across the, Atlantic we could not help thinking of the narrow escape we had had from disaster, and wondered whether the Providence that had preserved us at the very start of our journey would carry us safely across the ocean. When we had such trouble in. the fo<. and storms we nearly gave up hope. Sixty seconds before we saw the little island with its lightlvouse \w were cruising with practically all hope gone that we would land within reach of civilisation, but we determined to keep on until we had exhausted the last drop of petrol, and fortunately for us, we saw the little island and came down safely.” HINCHCJAFFE AND HON. ELSIE MACKAY MAY HAVE LANDED. in the light of his experiences. Major Fitzinaurice ventured the opinion. that other aviators who attempted the westward flight and had neve; been heard of again lnul suffered the same terrors as the Bremen’s- crew. believe Captain Hinchcliffe and the Hon. Elsie Alack ay may possibly have crossed the ocean as we did and encountered the same difficulties pawn did on approaching the Canadian coast, and may hare landed somewhere in the thick forest of Labrador,” he said. The citizens of Clarke C ity cut. every thing possible to entertain Major Fitzinaurice and Dr. Schiller, who expect, shortly to proceed to Murray Bay to meet Miss Junkers and lay definite plans of procedure, FITZMAURICE AT MURRAY BAY. EN ROUTE TO NEW YORK. United Press Assn.br EL Tel. Copyrigut Australian Press Assn. —United Service NEW YORK. April IS. A message from Murray Bay, Que hoc, .states that Major Fitzinauricelanded there cm Wednesday from Greenley Island, on route to New York to take the first ship homeward. CINEMA PLANE RETURN'S TO NEW YORK. FITZMAURICE PUZZLED AT PUBLIC ANXIETY. HUSH AVIATOR. ENTERTAINED BY SEVEN ISLANDS MAYOR. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.; NEW YORK. April Id. The Patlie News ’plane lias- returned from Seven Islands, where Commandant Fitzinaurice was photographed and interviewed on Ins arrival with Duke Schiller. Fitzinaurice seemed puzzled when told of the public anxiety during the Bremen’s flight. He said: ••’Why so much disturbance f” He grinned when told that lie had the "Luck of the Irish/’ The "Mayor of the village of Seven /islands, Mr Bomerill, headed the welcome. He said: “Let me extend greetings and the freedom of our beautiful city of Seven Islands; also, I suggest .coffee, and a snack of real Canadian food.'' F'itznmuriee then entered the Mayor's dog-sled, to which a smart team was attached. He was wrapped by eager bauds in swathing robes.'The Mayor shouted: “Mush” and Major Fitzinaurice waved Ins baud as the team started the threemile trip to the village. The Mayor of New York. Mr -J. Walker, has received the following message from Bhron you Huhneield “In the name of my comrades. Lieutenant "Kochi and Major Fitxmaurice, I. thank you, Mr Mayor, for your very kind telegram -and your oiler. Wo hope to be able to land in a lew days with the Bremen at Mitchell Field, and then to thank you and the citizens of # your great city, and to bring you greetings ot our German and Irish peoples.” JUNKERS PLANE LEAVES FUR NEW YORK. TO RETURN WITH NEW PROPELLER, FITZMAURICE MAY RETURN TO IRELAND EARLY. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.) MONTREAL, April 18. The junker’s plane which Hew here front New York left for New York again Avith Messrs Melchot' and E. Junkers aboard,, the latter's sister, Miss Herta Junkers, still being at Murray Bay. According to the -present plans, Mr Melchoir will secure a new propeller for the Bremen and return to Canada, but it is uncertain to what point he will proceed thereafter. There is _ some suggestion that the Junkers’ ’plane might try a direct flight from New York to Greenley Island, But this is not - confirmed in the meantime. Before leaving Seven Islands for Murray Bay, Major Fitzinaurice stated' that’ had the Bremen been undamaged it would have been possible for them to continue to another point for fuel. He also indicated that lie may not wait for his German companions' to return to Europe, but may take an early boat back to Iceland. FITZMAURICE NOT ON WAY TO NEW YORK. RETURNING TO COMPANIONS AT GREEN.LEIY. United Press Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Presß Association.) (Received April II), 8.50 p.m.) NEW YORK. April 19. , The Mayor, Mr. Walker, received the following message from Fit-z----man rice at Clarice City: ( r i xuornuition I am on my way to New York incorrect, I am on mv way to Murray Bay to arrange for'spare parts to repair the Bremen and conduct business on behalf ol Lieut. .Kochi and Baron von Tlncnefeld. I mil returning to - Greenley to-morrow. Please correct wrong impression. Regards. —•Fitzinaurice.”

F UEL 1 ‘IFF. r.UHAKS AND -COMPASS FAILS. - f FUELS LOST DIRECTION FOR HOURS. United Press' Assn, by El. fi’el. Copyright t Australian Press Association.) '(Received Anri] 19. 8.45 p. 111.) NEW YORK. April 18. Off Newfoundland the iliers had to discover the direction of the Avind by smoke bombs. The oil fuel pipe broke in a dense fog. Fitzmaurice repaired it. Then The Polar Star appeared tor a moment-, showing the direction. Next the compass failed, and they again lost their direction, which they could not pick up for hours. Then came the ,sun< again. No «now adhered to the -plane. They occasionally took beef tea or an orange. When they landed, they suffered slight .bruises.. Y ’ ' . Fitzmaurice said they we to not cold, but were too frightened to eat.