LANDED ON THE WATER

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 16 July 1927, Page 5

LANDED ON THE WATER

SMITH’S ATTEMPT FAILS FLIGHT TO HAWAII. PETROL GIVES OUT. -O CABLE— PRESS ASSOCIATION-COPYRIGHT SAN FRANCISCO, July 14. Captain Smith sent a message at 3 p.m.: “Have not- heard .shore wireless signals lor ha,',f an hour. Stull foggy, but going strong.” He indicated that the plane had travelled 300 miles, unless the signals were misunderstood. At this, rate the fliers cannot bent the Army time record. The failure to hear the land wireless signals from a beacon which continuously sends a radio beam as a guide is ascribed to atmospheric conditions, but is considered only temporary. Received 10 a.m. to-day. HONOLULU, July 15. Ernest Smith radioed that- he was landing on the water owing to a shortage of petrol. A later message stated that he came down on the water at 7.39 this morning, about 400 miles from Honolulu. Steamers are rushing to liis aid. The nearest is the' Wilhelmina, 75 miles away when the last S.O.S. was received. Smith flew 1700 miles in 21 hours 5 minutes. Reports from the monplane are conflicting, making it uncertain whether it possesed enough petrol to remain in the air one hour or four hours. Its position, when the linal message was despatched, Avas about 500 miles northeast of Paimiaui. Several 'planes, including one piloted by Captain Lowell Smith, the round-the-world flyer, will assist in the search for Ernest Smith and Emory Bronte. A request has been broadcasted to all vessels within a 600-mile radius to keep a look-out. The chief danger is believed to be from sharks, which infest these waters. The airmen carried sufficient emergency rations for three days. The wTeathcr bureau announced that there was no danger from rough weather.