AVIATION.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 1704, 18 December 1919, Page 5

AVIATION.

ROSS SMITH SAFE.

By Electric Telegraph .—Copyright. # Australian-New Zealand Cabie Association. SYDNEY, Dec. 17. Captain Ross Smith is safe ;.f Anthony’s Lagoon. He was forced to lurid ov>uig to a damaged propelLr. Fortunately, he met a boring contractor en route south, who is repairing the propeller with hoop iron. Ross Smith will continue the flight when the propeller is mended.

THE MARTINSYDE TRAGEDY.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. LONDON. Dec. 16.

Howell’s aeroplane was found half a mile from shore in five fathoms of water. The log shows he flew eight hours, and evidently lost his way. . Tbt petrol was sufficient for an eight hours’ flight. Au Air Ministry communique stated that the aeroplane fell in the sea at eight o’clock on the 9th. An Italian motor boat with fishermen arrived too late to save the aviators. Their bodies have not yet been recovered. The machine is salvable. The log shows a tragic search for direction by circular flying in the mists. The machine twice crossed land unknowingly.

HOWELL’S FATE.

Australian-New Zealand Cable Association. Received December 18, 12.25 p.m. ' LONDON, Deo. 16. Experts are of the opinion that Howell lost, his way and. after hours of vain wandering, became desperate to find his position through the clouds before his petrol gave out, or perhaps he merely chanced on the route. It is more likely he kept going in a series of great circles and waa never far oil the line, yet never knowing where. It is suggested the machine took the water badly and crumpled up a.nd sank imnjtpiatelv. Probably the- bodies were pinned under the wreckage.