THREE DAYS’ FLIGHT

Grey River Argus, 21 May 1928, Page 5

THREE DAYS’ FLIGHT

ITALIAN AIRSHIP Returns to Spitzbergen AFTER SEVERE ORDEAL. COPENHAGEN, May 18. r l h<- airship Italia has returned to King\ Bay Snitzbergen, and has land, ed safely. SPITZBERGEN, May 19. 1 hat the exploration of the Polar regions by airship is constantly beset with dangers was revealed by the airship Italia’s return after a flight lasting lor nearly three days and three nights. J her in the Italia covered nearly two thousand miles. I he airship became coated with nearly a ton of ice, thus causing anxiety. Finally there was a blizzard, which compelled the airship to return, with t'he ultimate objective, namely, the thorough exploration of the land s and islands known as Leninland. unattained. The Italia, while en route, made a search for Gillesland. which had been claimed to have been discovered by an English exploit r of that name, but the Italia failed to find trace of it. As the north, coast of Spitzbergen was approached the weather became more and more uncertain. Finally, becoming enveloped in a thick belt of fog, the airship nosed its way for hours through the nebulous mass, until it was observed that the ice was beginning to form on the metal parts. Finally the airship came to open sea ice wherever it flew. It kept an, altitude of five hundred feet. The midnight sun sent its rays over the horizon, streaming across the dead icy wastes of the Polar Sea. Far and wide there was not the slightest sign of life. Shortly before five o’clock last Wed-; nesday morning the coast of Franz aosef Land was sighted. The temperature aboard then fell as much a s seven degrees below zero, and the crew, owing to the lack of any opportunity for excercise, suffered considerably, despite their fur outfits. A crust of ice now

enveloped the whole airship, hindering the manoeuvring of it. Over Franz Josef Land a flag from the city of Venice was thrown over in memory of the explorers from Venice who formerly perished there. Shortly afterwards th head wind strengthened considerably and slowed the Italia’s progress. As »t flew over one spot where Captain Cagni had wintered 28 years ago, a wreath was dropped. When the Italia somewhat lumberlingly approached where Leninland was supposed to be a blizzard broke suddenly. Obviously any landing thereabouts was impracticable. Just before midnight the Italia set a new course, following on it s receipt of a wireless from the supply ship Citta di Milano, advising it to return as far south as possible. The Italia made 1 a five hours’ flight over sea ice. Then the island of Nova Zambia rose up to the southward, and the airship simultaneously ran into a now bank of fog. She rose to the highest level with difficulty, so as to avoid the danger of further ice accumulating, as already it was estimated that the ice on her was a ton in weight. When the Italia was 150 miles from King’s Bay, a series of north-easterlies shook the airship from nose to stern. Colonel Nobile on one occasion, believed that it was going to be impossible to make their base, and he contemplated steering the airship for Vadsoe, in Norway. All hands, including the wireless operator, were called to keep the Italia in the air, and this explains the absence of replies to the supply ship’s; signals. The crew of the Italia are now eon. siderably fatigued with the forty hours’! constant strain of their watch. There was joy on board when a wireless mes-| sage' was received from King’s Bay stating that everything was ready for the Italia’s arrival and that the weather was favourable for landing. ■ The Italia arrived back at King’s Bav in streaming sunshine and calm air', and she smoothly landed.

IS LENINLAND THERE’ AMUNDSEN SAYS IT IS. (United Service.) OSLO. May 19. Captain Amundsen, interviewed hero, described Colonel Nobile’s statement, that he failed to find Nicholas the Second Land (or Leninland) as astonishing. Captain Amundsen said he personally had visited it in his expedition in the Maud., by means of sledges. He had signal posts erected. He thinks Colonel Nubile must, have passed the island in a fog.

Flight Over Pacific SMITH TO LEAVE U.S.A. SOON. SAN FRANCISCO, May 19. Major Kingsford Smith stated that the monoplane Southern Cross was ready for the proposed flight to Australia. He said: “All,that remains is to set the date for departure. We have not decided when we will take off, but it will be in the near future.’’ Smith declared that his tri-motored Fokker plane had completed its test flights. The start will be made from Mills Field, Philadelphia. U.S.A. Aviation Progress A THOUSAND AIR PORTS. NEW YORK, May 19. The Secretary for War. Mr Davis, told the delegates of the Associated Harvard Clubs that the United States will have one thousand air ports in operation at the end of the present year. He stated that the progress made by the United States during the past two; years was greater than that of any other nation in aviation. moncrieff-hood fund. WELLINGTON, May 19. Apart from sums of some £4OO paid direct to Mesdamcs Moncrieff and Hood, the fund collected amounts to £1,571 nett At a meeting of the Committee, it was proposed to invest this with the Public Trustee, in preference to purchasing annuities a,s first intended, the latter being too expensive. Half, the whole amount was to go to Mrs. Moncrieff, mother of the airman, and the other half to the two widows. Opposition was offered to this dis t tribution, and on the motion of the Mayor, it was determined to ascertain the feelings of the donors of large amounts, as to the methods of allocation. . ■ T