TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLIII, Issue 14136, 9 June 1919, Page 5

TRANS-ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

[Aust. and N.Z, Cable Association.] (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 28. The New York "Times’ " Washington correspondent says that the United States’ seaplane N.C. 4 covered 3150 miles, the actual flying time being 43 hours 33 minutes. During the trip from Rockaway to Lisbon she averaged a speed of 72 miles per hour. RAYNKAM STULL HOPEFUL, $ ~ (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 27. The New York "Times’ " St. John’s correspondent reports that Raynham expects to receive tho extra engine and necessary parts with which to repair the Martynsidc from England shortly. He believes the piano will be ready for a trial flight within a fortnight. A WINGED WOMAN. (Received Sunday, 5.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 27. The New York "Times’" Chicago correspondent states that Ruth Law, the famous aviatrix, has announced that she will attempt the transAtlantic flight in a Curtiss biplane, equipped with two Curtiss-Kirkham motors of 400 horsepower each. She will be accompanied by a mechanic. PERIL AND ADVENTURE. THE N.C. ’S EXPERIENCES. (Received Monday, 12.5 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 29. • The "World’s" Lisbon correspondent interviewed Commander Towers of the United States trans-Atlantic flight expedition. He said: On the flight from Tropasscy to Ponta Delagada I found it dangerous to test the effect of the continuous mental and physical strain. Drowsiness was almost insuperable. I was compelled to give one of my men two doses of strychnine in order to avoid sleep. My ’plane N.C. 3 became lost when he had about two hours’ supply of petrol left, and we determined to land on the water, but when wo descended near the surface wo saw that tho sea was very rough, but then it was too late, and we were compelled to alight. A big wave hit the ’plane and seriously damaged it, though subsequently we were able to continue with our own power on the surface of the sea, to Horta. We had no drinking water and were compelled to drink the water from the radiators. * This water was full of iron, rust and oil. At last the weather grew bad, a storm came down and huge rollers continued to hit the ’plane, and broke off the pontoon wings, and pierced the fusilagc. Night descended, and the cockpit began to leak. I stationed two watches and each man pumped several hours. We rigged a sea anchor and continued our flight against the storm through the night. We continued to send out wireless messages, and when morning came the destroyer Harding had arrived to our rescue. We wore very hungry and- unanimous that bacon and eggs was the best-dish in the world.

ANOTHER ENTRANT. (Received Monday, 12.5 p.m.) NEW YORK, May 29. The “New York Times’ ’ St. John's correspondent says that Lieut. Williams of the British army has arrived from Liverpool to make arrangements for the arrival of the Alliance Aeroplane Company ’s biplane, which will also attempt the trans-Atlantic flight. The biplane has been specially built for the Atlantic journey, and is equipped with a single 450 horse power Napier-Lion engine, with a speed of 130 miles an hour. It will carry sufficient petrol for a cruising radius of 20 hours. Captain Curtis of the Royal Air Force will be the chief pilot, and Peters the navigator. The biplane will make a trial flight from England to Madrid, coming from Spain by steamer, arriving about (Ith June.