KINGSFORD SMITH MISSING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LV, Issue 4570, 9 November 1935, Page 3

KINGSFORD SMITH MISSING.

PROBABLY FORCED DOWN AT • - • SEA.' \ ’ V-T a ‘ l s *Singapore, November 8. T,"Afi2tiety is felt at’ the non-arrival of Sir' .Charles Kihgsford Smith who has been in the air 16 hours. His petrol was insufficient for that period. He is four hours overdue, and it is generally believed he has been forced down somewhere between Ralkiyap and Malaya. The Imperial Airways liner near Penang reports a storm in that vicinity. v Melrose, who arrived by ’plane at Singapore at 2.25 p.m., when interviewed, said he saw a ’plane which undoubtedly must have been Kingsford Smith’s, pass 200 feet above him at 2 a.m. to-day over the -Bay of Bengal 150 miles from land,.- Melrose saw flame in the darkness seemingly coming from Smithy’s twin-exhaust. 'ltis believed lie has been forced down at sea between Rangoon or Akyab and Victoria Point. Singapore is sending out a wireless SOS to all ships to keep watch;-- ■" r ' .' ; : - A squadron of bombers at present up country has been ordered to prepare' toleaVe for a search. Darkness .brought no 'news of, ‘Smithy And Melrose is joining the Royal Air Force fliers in the; search to-morrow. a • Hope is- j hot abandoned because there are • ihany desolate.-! spots where the airmen might have landed and would be unable to make, contact with civilisation.