FAILURE OF JUBILEE MAIL FLIGHT

Grey River Argus, 16 May 1935, Page 5

FAILURE OF JUBILEE MAIL FLIGHT

SOUTHERN CROSS FORCED TO TURNBACK ONE OF THE PROPELLORS DAMAGED Mascot Reached After 16 Hours Flying Captain Taylor’s Plucky Action

(Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) While the n>eehanie^ E wei- e Ma ma I k“ng an ""‘"V "fJ ustn ’ents to the mono” planes ‘Southern Cross” and “Faith “ Aust,aha,” for the take-off on the Jubilee a lr mai i f:ight> gjr c R . lord Smith announced that only the trip 0 ” 1 ,Crn C,oss ” wou,d make #Jie

llakintr light of the double burden ol the Faith in Australia mails and freight, and its own prveiouslv allotted load, the “Southern Cross” left Richmond aerodrome at 12.20 this morning. The announcement of the change of plans was the climax- to efiorts yesterday, to secure a navigator for the Faith in Australia, following the withdrawal of Commander Bennett, through illness, and the refusal of the Navy Board to release Lieut-Commander Ilall to navigate. The crew of the Southern Cross comprises Kingsford Smith. John Stannage and Captain Taylor.

The weighing of the mail and freight revealed that the Southern Cross could take the combined load of both machines without over-taxing the “old bus.”

It was windy when the Southern Cross took off. Flares were burning at intervals a'ong the runway. The night was cold and clear. The Southern Cross at 90 miles an hour, expected to reach New Plymouth about four o’clock this afternoon. There are 34,000 letters aboard, in addition to freight. The plane’s mails, freight, fuel and crew, make a total weight of 14,0001 bs. RADIO PROGRESS REPORTS. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, Mav 15.

The following radio messages wer< received from the Southern Cross:—

Took off 12.20 (Sydney time), weather perfect. Only the Southern Cross is making the trip as there was insufficient load to warrant the Faith in Australia making the trip. Smithy, Taylor and Stannage comprise the crew. Just before the take-off. a man put his hand into the propeller radio generator and badly bent the blade, but we straightened it, and hope it will hold’ together. We left the roast behind at 1 a.m. Taylor took the departure bearing through the roof hatch then dropped a flare which blaz ed on the ocean for drift reading. Heavy black clouds are about, but the bright moon is breaking through. It is warm and cosy in the cabin. It is slightly bumpy, which is unusual over the ocean: Still climbing, 1,500 feet already. Passed through a little flurry of rain. The dead reckoning position at 16 (G.M.T.) lat. 34.15 S. long. 153.08 east, distance run 140, ground speed 85, wind S 25 m.p.h. Altitude 1,800 feet. Hard to resist tin' desire to sleep. The drone of the motors always induces sleepiness. The rail io works perfectly. 2 a.m.; Smithy just came down from the cockpit. He did a spot of pumping, frowned and said: “The weather looks bad ahead. Very pleased to hear that I can work the Bluff radio both ways. Captain Taylor just dropped another calcium flare. Clouds seem to be clearing away again. Dead reckoning position at 17.00 (G.Xf.T.) 34.385, 154.36 east. Distance run 234 miles. Speed 94. Wind S, 5 m.p.h. Course 94 degrees. Beautifully clear sky, no moon and very dark. Two further flares dropped to obtain windshift. Getting chilly, although al] well wrapped up. Dead reckoning position at 18.00 (G.XF.T.) 34.58 S. 156.10 East. Distance run 325 miles. Dead reckoning position at 19.00 (G.XF.T.) 35.20 South 157.39 East. Distance run 410 miles. Absolutely pitch black now and very cold. Altitude 2000, still bumpy. Anxiously awaiting dawn to ascertain drift. At 5.15 the sky brightened slightly in the North East.

s.3o:—Dawn begins to break, and surface becomes visible. It appears there is a strong S.S.W. breeze. Heavv banks of black clouds all about. Dead reckoning position at 20.00 (G.XF.T.) 35.30 S 159.29 East. Distance run 515 miles, wind S.S.W. 25 m.p.h. Height 1,800 feet. Speed 105.

PLANE TURNS BACK. (Per Press Association). WELLINGTON, May 15. A message received from the Southern Cross timed 8.30 stated the plane lost the starboard propeller and turned back to Sydney. Position 35.55 South 160.15 East. The following messages from the Southern Cross were further received at Awarua radio station: 9.45 a.m.: “The present position is that the plane is making for Sydney with one propellor gone, and the other outboard engine missing at times. The cargo has been jettisoned, but we are hanging on to the mail, but glad of the Australian Post Office instructions to dump. The plane is unable to hear Sydney or any station. Black clouds al! round. If forced down, the fading of a prolonged dash will indicate the fact. ’ ’ 9.45 a.m.: “Plane hears Awarua radio replies. Nice and cheery to hear something. Guess Sydney is getting it O.K. We will stagger along like this for a way. Bill going to take sights now. Good, that should give us a fairly definite position. The wind is getting up from the west now. It is added that Awarua radio station is getting in touch with Sydney radio station, in order to transmit any message intended for the aeroplane. 10.19 a.m.: “The sea is getting worse, and the wind blowing harder. There is a knocking noise in the centre motor. We are all listening to each beat of those other two motors. Guess the boss will take the Faith in Australia across with mails to-morrow, if we make the Australian coast. At 9.55 a.m. the Sydney radio re-

quested the Awarua radio to inform Kingsford Smith that the Australian Post Office authorities desired Smithy to use his own discretion in the matter of dumping the mail, as human life comes first. Efforts were then being made by Awarua radio to establish communication with the aero plane, At 10 2 a.m., the following message was received: Wind rising and sea nasty from west. Hate to go down. In that hope they hold out. Wish we knew if there was a ship we could land alongside.

At 9.35 a.m. (New Zealand time) Kingsford Smith broadcasted his position as follows: Aircraft on position line bearing 318 degs. and reciprocal 138 degs. Passing through position lat. 35 STH., long. 158.12 East.

The Director-General of the General Post Office advises the following further messages received from the Southern Cross.

10.55 a.m.: “She still seems to be flying 0.K., holding 500 feet at just below full revolutions, making very poor headway against this foul headwind, and with only two motors. That port motor keeps spitting, and every time it does, I feel like if she quits, we go straight down. Smithy would drop her in ami we should be able to float O.K. Should probably cut adrift one wing.” 11.6 a.m.: “Going down T think. Stand by.” 11.7 a.m.: “Right, picked up again.” 11.13 a.m.: “Smithy says please hold this wave. He expects port motor to go any moment, bad.” 11.21 a.m.: “Smithy says we will hang on in the meantime. We have had to dump all the cargo. Smithy says could you please spare a boat to come out on our course, with plenty of smoke. The port engine dropped a cylinder now. Smithy says also, tell them he is frightfully sorry about it all. We are averaging 500 feet high-, perhaps someone might fly the “Faith in Australia” or one of the new England Avro tens to locate us.” 11.30 a.m.: “If” fiscus (GNTB) could make a big smoke, we may see him.

11.34 a.m.: “Smithy says could you get message to our wives, and tel! them not Io worry. We are not in water yet.”

11.41 a.m.: “Following without call signs. Going down to take sight.” 12.14 p.m.: “Estimated position at 00.14 (G.XLT.) lat. 34 S, long. 156.18 East. Distance from land 250 miles. Course 277. Magnetic, probably strike coast north of Sydney as not heading into wind to allow for drift.”

12.29 p.m.: “Smith asks if one of the battleships or one of the Union ships, with direction-finding instruments, could take, bearings of us. There might be a chap with directionfinding on his way out.” 12.39; ‘/See much better now. Wind still head-on, but not so strong.” 12.46 p.m.: From plane to Sydney, “Things look much brighter now as the petrol load gets less and less she can be throttled back, and save the motors. The port motor seems to be hanging on O.K. now. If we carry on like this, we should probably strike the coast about Port Stephens.”

The Flight Back FINAL STAGES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, May 15. The following progress messages concerning the return fligh.it of the Southern Cross have been received by the Director AG enonvl of the General Post Office: — 3.46 p.m.: “The plane is now in touch with Sydney. The “Faith in Australia” has just taken off ‘to go to him. It is estimated that the Southern Cross is now approximately out sixty miles/ from the coast.” 4.46 p.m.. “The Southern Clross has sighted land.” 5.30 p.m.: “The Southern Cross is off Botany Bay. She now will be in in ten minutes.” 5.52 p.m.: “The Southern Cross has landea at Xlascot Aerodrome!” LANDING TIME. (Received Xlay 15, alt 7.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 15. Sir Charley Kingsford Smith landed at Xlascot at about 4.15 p.m. ALL CARGO JETTISONED. JUBILEE MAIL. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Xlay 15, at 7.10 p.m.) SYDNEY, Xfay 15. The Air XFa.il authorities have been advised that all of the cargo in the Southern Cross has been , jettisoned, but that the mails are still intact. The consists of merchandise and other commercial articles. The Postal officials instructed the Southern Cross .to dump the Jubilee air mail immediately if its presence would jeopardise the plane’s chance of a safe return. A iharbouy pilot steamer,, the “James Cook,” has been despatched, and is* at present steaming eastward to meet the Southern Cross. As the Southern Cross neatrs the Australian coast, there will be a tail wind, which should, assist the fliers home. There are but few ships in the Tasman Sea that would be likely to be of any use in the emergency. Probably the “Port Waikato,” bound from Greymouth, and the “Fiscus,’ also on route from New Zealand, are the only steamers anywhere near the crippled plane. One message from Smithy indicated that he was likely to hit the coast north of Newcastle. It is not anticipated that the “Sussex” will be ready to leave be-

fore four or five o’clock this afternoon. The Faith, in Australia is now being made ready at Richmond to proceed to the assistance of the Southers Cross if necessary. Little Mail Saved EIGHT SMALL BAGS. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Xlay 15, at 7.15 p.m.) SYDNEY, Xlay 15. There have been only eight s*niall bags of the Southern Cross mails The crew of the plane are well. They owe their lives to the heroism of Taylor. STORY OF THE ADVENTURE. SUPERB SKULL SHOWN. CERTAIN DISASTER AVERTED. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received Xlay 15, at 8.55 p.m.) SYDNEY, Xlay 15. Superb s*kill and daring on the part of two of the world’s foremost aviators saved the Southern Cross and her crew from certain disaster over the Tasman Sea to-day. XVheu the historic monoplane was about 450 miles from Australia, on the jubilee mail flight to New Zealand, her starboard propcllar broke, off, rendering that engine useless. Sir C. Kingsfof.'d Smith, realising that it was a desperate plight, immediately resolved to head the machine back for Sydney, but, in an exciting race against time, oftimes it seemed that the crippled old bus was destined to be lost. The anxiety of the crew was heightened by the fact that the two other engines showed signs of failing, thereby causing the plane to lose speed and height. The crew will never forget the courageous act of Captain Taylor. when there came an order to-make the port engine function properly. He climbed on the wing, and supplied a gallon of oil, which gave the engine a new lease of life. ANXIETY ASHORE. XVhen the news of the Southern Cross) mishap became known in Sydney in the fcC’cnoon, the public exhibited the utmost anxiety. Details were supplied by the broadcasting stations and the afternoon pavers, which kept people well informed as to the monoplane’s progress back to Sydney, and there were wide expressions of relief when it was learned that a safe landing had been made at Xlascot at 4.15 p.m. Strain on the Airmen EVIDENT AT LANDING. (Received May 15. 10.35 p.m.) SYDNEY, Xlay 15. The hero of another aviation epic. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, emerged from the plane like, a man from the dead.; The crowd obviously were very delighted at his safely, and they cheered and cheered; but tlhe airman’s face was expressionless. A friend exclaimed: “Great work, Smith!” But Smith just stared blankly at him. Indeed, all of the airmen showed the strain on their faces of a nightmare battle. Their arrival came as the dramatic climax to 16 hours of suspense.

SUSPENSE DURING SEARCH. The “Faith in Australia,” with an Air Force machine, began a search for the Southern Cros s at mid-day. Hours went by before their return from a point south of Sydney, with the Southern Cross well in their rear. Messages had been received about 3 p.m., saying that the Southern Cross had sighted land sixty miles away, but a painful silence followed for over an hour, before it was reported that the machine wa s approaching the aerodrome, and was escorted by a number of aeroplanes. Smithy made a good landing. Lady Kingsford Smith was among the waiting crowd. She bore up well under the terrific strain. Dumpiftg of Mail SEVEN LARGEST BAGS. (Aus. and N.Z. Cable Assn.) (Received May 15. 10.25 p.m.) SYDNEY, Xlay 15. About half of the Southern Cross’s petrol had to be jettisoned, along with all of the cargo. i No attempt was made to jettison her _mails until the position became desperate. This course had then to be followed. The result was that, whereas fifteen bags of mail were taken from Richmond, only eight’ small bags were brought back. It wa s extremely galling to Smith Jo have to do this. There were times when the plane was so perilously close to the water that there wa s the greatest! difficulty in getting it to rise again. SMITH’S COMPANIONS. SYDNEY, Xfay 15. Smith’s companions. Captain Taylor and Mr Stannage, received also an ovation when they emerged from the plane. THE DAMAGE. SYDNEY. May 15. An examination of the Southern Cross disclosed that the starboard propellor had not been lost altogether but that five or six inches of the vital part had been splintered. Cause of Damage PISTON RING BLAMED. (Aus. and N.Z Cable Assn.) SYDNEY, May 15. Tffying-Officer Shiels, of Sydney, has expressed the opinion that the damage tb the propellor of the Southern Cross was caused by a piston ring on the central motor flying off, and striking the starboard propellor. TAYLOR’S PEAT. SYDNEY, May 15. Mr Shiels stated that the Southern Cross was flown for five hours fully loaded, until her other engine began to cut out) Owing t ! o oil pressure, the port engine was also failing. CapTain Taylor then climbed through

the cabin port to the disabled starboard engine, carrying with him a suitcase and a thermos flask. He bailed, oil out of the R t'arboard engine into the suitcase. Then he climbed back into the cockpit, which necessitated his changing places with Smithy within the confined space. He then clambered out to the spluttering port engine, still carrying the suitcase, and he poured oil into this engine. Thus he saved the situation. Flying-Officer Shiels i s Sir <®iarlcs Kingsford Smith’s manager here. No Interviews SMITH EXHAUSTED. (Aus. and NX Cable Assn.) (Received May 15. 10.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, May 15. After the landing, Smithy, supported on the arms of friends, was escorted through a surging crowd. He "•as placed in the care of Doctor Ban Tis, who refused to allow any interviews. An official reportl was issued that he was temporarily deaf and exhausted. WILL MAIL BE ABANDONED? QUESTION OF ANOTHER FLIGHT. NEW PLYMOUTH, May 15. No information concerning the intentions of Sir Chas. Kingsford Smith with regard to any future air mail night had been received at a late hour to-night by Mr S. E. Nielson, who is acting for Smith in New Zealand. GISBORNE-NAPIER SERVICE. GISBORNE, May 15. During the first month’s operations on the East Coast Airways, GisborneNapier service, 96 single trips were made and 288 passengers carried. The flying time occupied 9XJ hours. The total of miles flown was 9391. IMPERIAL AIRWAYS. RUGBY, May 13. In reply to a Parliamentary question, it. was stated on behalf of the Air Ministry, that the subsidy to Imperial Airways provided in the Air estimates, for the current financial year, amounted to £473,000, of which £ 120.000 was covered by eontribu Hons from Dominion, and 'Colonial Governments.