STRANGE SILENCE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 140, 28 May 1928, Page 5

STRANGE SILENCE

ITALIA IN TROUBLE NO ANSWER TO SIGNALS PROMPT MEASURES FOR RESCUE [United Press Assn.—By Cable—Copyright.] [Australian and New Zealand Press Association.] (Received 28, 12.15 p.m.) Moscow, May 27. The Government is sending an expedition tn rescue the Italia. All radio stations are signalling p • ' g in, ’■'”l no news has been received.

UNFOUNDED REPORT. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 28, 8.45 a.m.) London, May 27. Both King’s Bay and Oslo report no further news of the Italia. A report from Berlin that the Italia bad landed and wirelessed for help is apparently unfoundedSEAPLANE TO SEARCH. [Australian Press Assn.-United Service.) (Received 28, 11.55 a.m.) Oslo, May 27. Probably a naval seaplane piloted by the famous Lieutenant Leutzow Holm will start in search of the Italia. A large aeroplane will follow later. SUSPENSE CONTINUES. MAY BE DRIFTING TOWARDS SIBERIA. Australian Press Assn -United Service.) (Receiced 28, 11.10 a.m.) London, May 27. Suspense concerning the fate of the Italia with her crew of eighteen arid a dog aboard continues. The last fully authenticated wireless from the airship was timed 7 o’clock 011 Friday evening, but early this morning two roundabout messages reached London and are transmitted reservedly. One, from Bergen, says the Oslo Meteorological Institute intercepted .1 mutilated message from Nobile saying he had landed, and was calling for help. The message does not give his position. It is rather strange that this was -not received direct from .Oslo, whence plenty of messages arrived earlier. The seconff message, from Vadsoe, reported that the Italia had sent a wireless for the supply ship at 12.5 o’clock on Saturday night. This is also unconfirmed by Oslo. Obviously, if one of the Italia’s motors ceased, Nobile would be unable to make King’s Bay through the storm. It is feared the aidship must now be blowing helplessly towards Siberia. It is recalled that when the Italia returned from her previous voyage in the direction of Franz Josef Land,'it had an ice coating weighing nearly a ton; therefore the possibility of its forced down cannot be ignored. An ice-covered erial would account for the cessation of messages. The Government has ordered the steamer Hobby, at present at Tromso, to proeed to Franz Josef Land. It is pointed out that if Nobile manages to make a safe landing on firm ice or in Siberia, it may be several months before news is received. The party’s only course would be to abandon the airship and journey afoot until it established contract with civilisatiou. The Italians are ill-prepared prolongedly to endure the rigorous Arctic life. Vadsoe wireless stations have been trying all day vainly to get into touch with the Italia. STORM RAGING. PROBLEM OF PETROL SUPPLY. London, May 26. Telegrams via Vadsoe state that there was no news of the Italia at King’s Bay at 3 o’clock this morning. Nothing has been heard at the wireless stations, possibly because the Italia’s aerial is ice-coated. It is feared the storm has driven her eastwards. She has enough food for a fortnight, but the petrol is nearing exhaustion. Anxiety is felt lest she was forced down at sea or in icy wastes.

Advices via Copenhagen state that a heavy storm is raging at King’s Bay to-night. It was also stated that Colonel Nobile sent a message that the Italia was not using all her propellers. The supply ship Citta di Milano is preparing to go to meet the airship, but it is considered unlikely she will make much progressAccording to other advices, Colonel Nobile stated that he expected to reach King’s Bay at ten o’clock in the evening, but if the storm prevented him he would try to get to Vadsoe. According to earlier reports the Italia met heavy winds and was greatly hampered by ice forming on her canvas, the danger involved in which is not disguised.

Oslo, May 26. The Italian Minister has requested the Norwegian Government to render the utmost aid to find and rescue the Italia and her crew. The Government is taking up a search. The Defence Ministry is consulting experts.

PROBABLY DRIFTING. [Australian and N.Z Press Assn.] King's Bay, May 26. At middav there was still no news of the Italia. It is believed she is drifting towards Siberia. Nobile sent his last message at 7 o’clock in the evening of Friday. The supply ship commenced a search to-night. FAINT DANGER SIGNALS RECEIVED. [United Service.] Copenhagen, May 27. It is reported by the Cita di Milano that :he Vadsoe wireless station heard faint signals at 10.5 p.m. on SatlirMy from the Italia, stating that it was in grave danger, but not giving bearings-

RELIEF EXPEDITION PLANS. [Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) Oslo, May 26. As a result of a conference held at the Minister of Defence in the presence of Amundsen and Sverdrup, also Junner Isachsen, and Captain Riiser Larsen, the last named announced his readiness immediately to examine the possibility of searching for and carrying out an Italia relief expedition by means of aeroplanes. After the conference the Italian legation decided to send a hydroplane relief expedition from the Cita di Milano north of King's Bay. AUSTRALIAN AIR RACE. FLYER GRAVELY INJURED. [Australian and N.Z. Press Assn.) Melbourne, May 27. The aerial derby was won by Captain Follett in DHSO, time 24 minutes 4 2-5 seconds. Captain Matthews, DH4, was second, and J. Stewart, Moth, third. Flight-Lieutenant A. G. Wells, in DH9, struck a high tension electric cable, which tore off both wings and then fused with a blinding flash, the machine crashing. Wells was badly injured and may lose his eyesight. His forehead was crushed and his condition is critical. AIR LINER DISASTER. Berlin, May 26. A Lufthansa-Fiankfurt air liner crashed at Radevormwald and caught fire- The pilot and two passengers were killed and another passenger was grievously injured. ’PLANE CRASHES INTO CROWD. TWO KTLLFD: SEVERAL INJURED. I Australian and N.Z. Pres. Assn.) (Received 28. 12.45 p.m.) Paris, May 27. A shocking accident occurred at an aviation fete at Orly, an aeroplane clashing into a crowd of spectators, killing two and injuring several. Curiously the aeroplane had no connection with the fete. It was a naval ’plane carrying out a practice flight. Noticing the aerodrome, the pilot decided to land. When he shut off his engine he suddeulv found he was too low and. unable to rise in time, the machine swept into the crowd. All the injured were taljen to hospital but the pilot received only a few bruises.