THE FATAL FLIGHT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 82, 19 March 1928, Page 5

THE FATAL FLIGHT

GRANTHAM PRIEST’S STATEMENT

Miss Mac Kay’s 5 a.mj Interview

Greatly Excited Over > Trip

!By Cable — Preu Assn. — Owrlgbt.l

(Received 19, g.io«a.m.) London, March 18. Father Arinsen, a priest of Grantham, tells how Miss Mackay, who was a recent convert to Catholicism, attended the services at his church on Sunday and Monday with Lieut. Hinchcliffe, and how at five o’clock on Tuesday morning Miss Mackay woke him,, apparently deeply conscious of the risk she was taking in the Atlantic Aught, and alone they took Holy Communion inthe dimly lit church, where he gave her his blessing. Kneeling under the crucifix, she was obviously excited and deeply affected by the ceremony. She accompanied him to his study to say goodbye, and ' told him her secret before departing toyjoin Hinchcliffe and others in a waiting car outside.—(A..and N.Z.)

MAJESTIC REPORTS SNOW- > Storm.

NO AEROPLANE SEEN. (British Official Wineless) (Received 19, 11.30 a.m.) Rugby, March 17. The liner Majestic, which reached Cherbourg yesterday from New York, reported that on Tuesday, when Hinchchffe’s flight began, a sharp look-out was kept for the fliers but no aeroplane was seen. The weather was very bad and there was a snowstorm. In the storm Hinchcliffe’s machine might have been, forced down into the ocean.

HAZARDOUS FLIGHTS. STRONG AMERICAN OPINION. New York, March 17. With hope for the safety of Hinchcliffe and Miss Mackay abandoned, there were expressions of regret and statements of admiration for the aviators. There is also, however, a resumption of feeling against hazardous flights that do nothing to further the scientific side of aviation. The New York World” says: ‘‘lt seems a pity that so fine a man as Hinchcliffe should throw himself away in an endeavour the outcome of which could only have resulted in personal fame for himself and his passenger. The “New York Times” points out that “stunt” flying is a setback for commercial aviation.—(A. and N.Z.) SEARCH FOR MISSING FLYERS. Ottawa, March 17. A search of the heavily wooded Moosehead Lake region in the State of Maine, will be conducted by a Canadian Air Force ’plane. Washton has granted permission to fly over the United States territory to search for Hinchcliffe and Miss Mackay. Reiterated reports have been received by the Government that a ’plane was heard on Thursday morning.—(A. and N.Z.) A HEADSTRONG VENTURE. IN SPITE OF PARENTS’ APPEAL. Cairo, March 16. When the first news of Miss Mackay’s project leaked out Lord Inchcape urgently appealed to her to refrain from the perilous undertaking. He was profoundly affected when he learned she had actually started. Lady Inchcape is in delicate health and has not been informed.—(A. and N.Z.) SPEED RECORDS. PREFERRED TO ATLANTIC FLIYING. London, March 18. The disastrous week of British aviation is responsible for two fairly general decisions. First, that the attempt to beat the speed record must be renewed; and, secondly, that Atlantic ventures, though fascinating, should stop. It is certain another attempt will be made by a Royal Air Force pilot to regain the speed record, for which two Super Marines are available, one of which is the actual Schneider Cup winner. Experts say it should not be difficult to beat the Italian figures, that, indeed, Kinkead actually unofficially did so at the moment oi the tragedy. Air Vice-Marshal Sir T. C. R. Higgins, who is responsible for the design of aircraft, said to-night: “Though the Kinkead tragedy temporarily prevented the record being beaten, we can achieve it and we shall achieve it at no distant date.”

Already plans are going apace for no fewer than a dozen trans-Atlantic flights, some of which are certain to be attempted. This determination is realised in England, where there is no likelihood of passing a general ban.

Sir Sefton Brancker said he hoped someone would hurry up and get the trans-Atlantic flight accomplished, then there would be no more fuss in that connection. He added that the Air Ministry would not organise any direct flight.—(A. and N.Z.)

AIR FORCE 'PLANES. ARRIVAL AT NORTHERN RHODESIA. (British Official Wireless.) (Received 19, 11.30 a.m.) Rugby, March 17. Four Royal Air Force aeroplanes flying from Cairo to Capetown have arrived at northern Rhodesia. One of the machines, however—that of Air Vice-Marshal Webb-Bowen—had a mishap while taking off. It crashed and was badly damaged. None of the occupants was injured.

LANCASTER-MILLER FLIGHT

DELAYED BY RAIN. Weltavreden, March 16. Captain Lancaster and Mrs. MilWs in the aeroplane “Red Rose ” havV arrived at Bima, and expect to reacj Darwin on Sunday.—(A. and N.Z.) ' FURTHERDELAY. Koepang, March 18. Lancaster reports that terrifi* (rains flooded the landing ground anm the Red Rose was unable to leavs for Darwin to-day. He hopes to get - away on Monday.—(A. and N.Z.) DISAPPOINTMENT AT DARWIMk Darwin, March 18. Disappointment was felt that Lon* caster was delayed in his departure from Koepang. Great preparation* have been made for his arrival GE and N.Z.) HOW CRASH OCCURRED. LIVES SAVED BY SIDESLIPPING. Mrs. Keith Miller telegraphed qp January 12th from Mun wk, where the crash occurred;

“1 am broken-nosed and broken, hearted. We hoped to reach Auv tralia on Saturday, but just after taking off at Muntok we dropped like a stone.

Captain Lancaster saved our live* by side-slipping to the ground between the trees. The machine crashed with terrific force and turned over, facing the opposite direction. Captain Lancaster was thrown out. 1 was pinned inside the cockpit, but managed with great difficulty to extricate myself. Captain Lancaster had several stitches put in his torn upper lip. He has many bruises. I have two black eyes, a broken nose, and many bruises. Otherwise, both of us are in good order. Our spirits are undaunted.

If Australian sportsmen would put up funds for a new machine we will complete the flight. Only £7OO is necessary. The distance is too great for a small engine. We should have changed engines half-say to make success certain. We were prevented by lack of funds from doing this. We intend returning to Singapore to-morrow as (guests at Government House. We will await developments there. The Dutch residents here are wonderfully kind. HINKLER’S TRIUMPHAL . TOUR. TUMULTUOUS WELCOME (Received 19, 9.15 a.m.) Melbourne, March 19. Lieut. Hinkler arrived here to-day. and was welcomed by a crowd of sixty of seventy thousand people, eluding the Premier, Mr. hogan, and the Lord Mayor. Cootamundra and Wagga were visited en route from Canberra and at each place Hinkler was enthusiastially received.