THE DOLE RACE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVII, Issue 212, 22 August 1927, Page 5

THE DOLE RACE

SEVEN MISSING FLIERS LITTLE HOPE OF SAFETY. TESTS OF A RUBBER RAFT. [By Cable —Press Assn. — Copyright.) (Received 22, 9.20 a.m.) San Francisco, Aug. 20. Deduction from the increased and decreased pitch of the radio waves from the wind-driven dynamo of the Dallas Spirit yesterday indicated that the ’plane tail-spinned at an altitude of 2000 feet and then plunged, while travelling at a speed of 200 miles an hour, into the ocean. The naval authorities at San Diego hold out a slight hope for the safety of the seven missing fliers, follow'ing on a test of a rubber raft similar to those carried on the aeroplanes.—(A.P.A. and “Sun” cable). “THE STORMBIRD.” TO FLY FROM HOBART TO BLUFF. (Received 22 10.15 a.m ) Brisbane, August 21 The aeroplane in which Mr K. Moreton Frewin proposes to attempt a flight from Hobart to Bluff has been christened The Stormbird. A trial flight was made and nroved most successful. Two tanks with a total capacity of 150 gallons have vet to lie fitted to the machine. SEARCHING ’PLANE ALSO MISSING. San Francisco, Aug. 19. Captain William Erwin, who was unsuccessful in the start for the Dole race, took off this afternoon for Honolulu in the 'plane Dallas Spirit to search for the missing fliers. After stopping at Honolulu he intends flying to Hongkong, with a stop at Tokio, to win the 25,000 dollars special prize, which Mr. William Easterwood has offered him to tlj from Dallas, Texas, to Hongkong. Erwin is also eligible for the 50,000 dollars reward mono- for the dis covery of the missing 'plane crews. ft is now feared Erwin’s attempt to find the missing fliers has oniy resulted in adding another to the long list of tragedies and mishaps connected with the Dole flight. Naval vessels are speeding towards the locality whence Erwin’s plane, the Dallas Spirit, last reported by radio that she had experienced two tail spins. The plane's last message was, "We are in another,” and dramatically halted. Experts tear the final spin brought disaster. Further mystery is added to the situation by the fan that radio operators at various points on the Pacific coast reported hearing sounds after Erwin’s last message, which might indicate that he was endeavouring to get his sending set into commission again.

Meantime Washington officials have expressed the belief that there is little chance of finding the five occupants of the other two missing 'planes alive. Nevertheless, the Nr.vy’s desperate search has been augmented by aeroplanes and passenger ships, and will continue at least until Tuesday. Both 'planes have assuredly been forced to descend. Naval officials fear the canvas wings might have become watersoaked and the rubber safety boats overturned or broken on the Pacific swells.

It is understood those connected whh the Dole flight are deeply affected by the series of tragedies attendant to it. There are now three known dead, seven missing, three 'planes smashed and three missingEnormous sums of money have been spent preparing for the flights and rescues.

The nearest vessel to the point, 592 nautical miles west of San Francisco, whence the S.O.S. was despatched by Erwin, is the steamer Pleidon, bound from Auckland to San Francisco. She sent a message that she was moving to the position under forced draught.

The steamer West Sequinia has wirelessed that the members of the crew saw flares on the water in the vicinity of the Dallas Spirit crash. An all night search failed to discover the ’plane.—(A. and N.Z.) ciyil"aviation. ■ COMMONWEALTH GRANT, (Received 22, 1.30 p.m.) Melbourne, Aug. 22. The Hon S. M. Bruce has announced the Federal Cabinet has decided to allocate an additional sum of £200,000 towards the development of civil aviation, within the Commonwealth. The amount at present expended is £115,000 a year. Among tho new air services proposed are those from Adelaide to Perth, and Brisbane to Sydney. BYRD'S ANTARCTIC FLIGHT. Oslo, Aug. 20. Balchen has arrived to recruit tho ship’s crew for Byrd’s South Polo expedition, planned to start from California on October 10.—(A. and N.Z.)