‘Southern Cross’ Refuelled and Ready for Departure

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6630, 8 June 1928, Page 7

‘Southern Cross’ Refuelled and Ready for Departure

Hop Off Probably This Afternoon

United Press Assn. —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright

Received Thursday, 8 p.m,

SUVA, June 7.

Owing to delay in filling the fuel tanks at Naselai Beach, Captain Smith’s ’plane has been hauled up above the high-water mark and made safe for the night.

Captain Smith anticipates taking off at about 2 p.m. on Friday, Suva time.

The ’plane is now loaded and ready to leave. Transport of fuel and oil was a slow process on account of a very bad surf.

Pine Runway at Naselai.

Messages received from Suva during the course of yesterday stated: Captain Kingsford Smith returned from Naseiai, and reports that the sands are three miles long, equal to the best runway in the world. This morning (Thursday) broke rainy, but later it became fine and clear with a light northerly win’d. The aviators anticipate no difficulty in their hop-off. All are optimistic about the flight. Commander Fenton accompanied the aviators from Suva to Naseiai as a guest. The Government yacht Pioneer left for Naseiai with petrol and necessary gear.

When the airplane was coming to Suva, crossing the island of Tavenui in the Fiji Group, near Suva, the aviators saw a gathering of Fijians seated on the ground. The natives saw a huge bird in the air, and evidently frightened by what they thought was the Devil appearing, made for the bush. The take-off from Naseiai beach for Brisbane depends on the completion of the fuel arrangements. The airplane will probably take 18 drums of petrol, and is expected to arrive at Brisbane in 18 hours. All the weather reports are favourable. The wind at Naseiai sands is east-north-east, and is of force 4. The airplane is taking letters from the Governor of Fiji and the Mayor of Suva, as well as copies of the “Fiji Times” and “Herald” describing the flight. Machine Leaves Suva. The airplane left Suva for Naseiai at 11.4 o’clock this morning. It took off beautifully, and the aviators had a great send-Mf from a large concourse of all classes of people, including the Mayor. Captains Smith and Ulm left with the airplane, and Lyon and Warner will join it at Naseiai. Not even condensed water was taken aboard here. There was a beautiful take-off. The machine taxied about 400 yards and lifted over Victoria parade at about 200 feet altitude, then proceeded seaward, circled over the park twice with perfect turns and, after a third circle, steered east-south-east for Naseiai.

i Thousands again witnessed the departure, including the Mayor, and the i men were given a hearty send-off. > ‘ ‘ Gotfd-bye all,” called Captain Smith as he left. Captain Smith this morning visited the Boys' Grammar 1 School and addressed the boys, who were highly delighted,, and accorded him cheers. Lands Safely at Naselal.

A later message stated that the airplane had returned, and was circling Suva, It was unable to land at Nasclai at 12.45 o’clock owing to the state of the tide.

Later still came a message that the Southern Cross had landed at Naselai at noon safely. Suva’s Civic Reception.

On Wednesday a civic reception to the aviators was given in the Town Hall. Captain Smith was absent inspecting the Naselai Sands, 16 miles distant by water. The aviators were welcomed by the Governor and Mayor. Mr. Dim replied, using Captain Smith’s stock opening remark that the difference between an aviator and a parrot was that the parrot could talk but not fly whereas an aviator could fly but not talk. Ho thanked them for the wonderful reception, which was the first since they had started, and they were not used to it yet. They had the finest equipment that ever started out over water They had had partial success but they had not finished yet. The original plans were for an AllAustralian crew. Captain Smith and himself wore Australians, and the others were New Zealanders; but they could not keep them while awaiting the final arrangements they went back Then they went to Captain McMillan, head of the Hydrographic Department at San Francisco, and told him they wanted a navigator. Ho recommended Captain Henry Lyon, a man who, they found, “lived on tho job.” Longest Non-Stop Flight. Mr. Dim here made a point that the recent flight was tho longest non-stop flight over water ever made, and said that if ever they made another long non-stop flight, as they hoped to do, thy -would look for Lyon to lead tho way. Then they wanted a radio man who could work whilst the engines were roaring. They examined a number, when Lyon said ho had a shipmate, Warren, with him. They met Warren at dinner four nights leforo tho flight, and questioned and engaged him. They made, a-radio tost next day. It was the first time Warner had been on a flight. They

BROADCASTING ARRIVAL AT BRISBANE.

were up for eleven hours, and that was all the air experience Warren had before the main flight. “Wo would have been very cold meat but for Jim,’’ he said. Imagine 600 horse-power motors in the airplane ’s small 'Cabin, trying to send and receive radio messages without a mistake four or five thousand miles Jim Warren possessed no mean skill and was full of courage. Pates Against Them.

“The night before last in midPacific the fates were not with us. We struck bad weather, and wild flying was getting to the stage whore it Aight go mad. Smith showed his skill in dodging storm clouds and turning at right angles when flying at 100 miles an hour; but the navigator’s skill and resourse and initiative were shown when after all these quick movements throughout the night he could plot the position and say: ‘Here, boy, here’s where you arc.’ ” That they came through was not luck. “Get the right men and equip ment and co-ordinate them, and you will get through.’.’ With the co-operation of the public they were looking for a site to fake off, and he was sure they would find one. His good friends had offered to provide a few hundred men to make a run good enough, and he appreciated their enthusiasm.

He hoped the flight would lead to a regular air service between America and Australia, and bind these nations more closely. (Prolonged applause.’ Captain Lyon said ho had never made a speech in fils life. “I had to navigate. If I hadn’t found Suva, where would I have been? I’ve had such a good time in this world that 1 want to carry on.” Mr. Warren expressed gratitude for Suva’s welcome. A reception was held that afternoon at the residence of Lieutenant Ellis, O 8.8., a flying officer in the war. Tho Governor and Bishops were present. Presentations Made. In the evening there was a ball at the Grand Pacific Hotel, which was a brilliant success. The Governor was present, and made a presentation from the colonists of 200 sovereigns in a Fiji-made tortoiseshell casket; also a tortoiseshell badge, with gold inlaid from Mrs. Levy. Two young ladies presented floral tributes, and Stars and Stripes to Lyon and Warner, and an Australian floral flag for tho Australians.

Tho usual congratulatory speeches were made.

Tho airmen officially announced that Lyon and Warner would accompany the flight to Brisbane. A feature of to-night’s ball was the Fijian chiefs’ welcome. Eatujoin Mataitaini, one of tho leading chieftains, presented a whale’s tooth to Smith. This is-the greatest welcome ceremony than can be given by Fijians to high chiefs or officials. The party was received by two natives in war dress, carrying war spears, and tho aviators were chaired through the hall by enthusiastic residents. N.S.W. Grant to Airmen. A Sydney cable states that Cabinet decided to honor the undertaking given by tho Lang Cabinet granting Captain Kingsford Smith £450(1 at tho conclusion of his flight—£2soo will be mado available immediately.

WELLINGTON, Last Night.

Shortly after 10 o'clock to-night, Now Zealand time, broadcast station 2BL Sydney announced that the Sydney "Sim” had just received a cable from Suva stating that Captain Kingsford Smith will resume his flight at 2 p.m. sharp to-morrow. At 11.20 to-night, New Zealand time, broadcast station 2FC Sydney announced that the arrival of the "Southern Gross” at Brisbane on Saturday morning will bo described by broadcast station 4QG Brisbane. A land line will connect the Brisbane station with 2PC Sydney and the latter station in conjunction with Amalgamated Wireless Ltd. will re-broad-cast 4QG on a wave length of 28.5 metres. The announcer at 2PC called the broadcast stations at Melbourne, Adelaide, Perth and Hobart expressing the hope that they will bo able to relay the short wave transmission. Wilkins Departing Soon On South Polar Adventure Received Thursday, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, Juno 6. Capt. Sir George Wilkins and Lieut. Eieison arrived at Croydon by a German air-liner from Amsterdam. They are

remaining in London until June 19 when they depart for America. “My South Polar expedition is definitely arranged to start from Panama on November 1," said Sir George. “My machine is already built, and is a double horse-power Arctic 'plane, “I will take off from Edward the Seventh Land in an attempt to travel 2500 miles across the unexplored area to Graham’s Land, much of which has not been seen by man. That is why we are going.” The two companions who arc to travel with Sir George are not yet chosen. Sir George considers a trans-Polar air service feasible, reducing the distance to America and China by two-thirds. Days Pass—But News of ‘ltalia’s’ Safety Absent Deceived Thursday, 7.15 p.m. LONDON, June 6. Days pass without any news of tho “Italia.” The Swedish Cabinet is sending three military aeroplanes with army wireless operators immediately to join in tho search. King's Bay reports state that the ship Hobby arrived at Liofdo Bay and explored between Amsterdam Island and Vijdo Bay, but found no trace of the missing airship.