KINGSFORD SMITH IN WITNESS BOX

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6911, 17 May 1929, Page 7

KINGSFORD SMITH IN WITNESS BOX

Did They Start Too Soon ? MORE ABOUT SOUTHERN CROSS FLIGHT United Press Association—By Electri# Telegraph—Copyright. Received Thursday, 5.20 p.m. SYDNEY, May 16. The Air inquiry was resumed this morning. Kingsford Smith was the first witness called by Mr. Hammond, assistant Commissioner. He said that on March 27th a telegram was sent by Captain Chateau from Wyndham asking the fliers to delay their start till they received his O.K. A telegram was sent from Sydney to Chateau advising that the Southern Cross was taking off on March 30. Mr. Hammond then, read a telegram from Wyndham reading: “Weather fine drying winds,” sent on March 30th but Kingsford Smith said he thought ho received it on the 29th. Another telegram was read: “Cannot believe .Southern Cross would leave without definite O.K. from me. Conditions unsafe must be recalled.” Mr. Hammond asked: “Had you fixed on any emergency ground in Australia?” Kingsford Smith: “Yes, Oodnaciatta.” Mr. Hammond: “You could have fixed your aerial there?” Kingsford Smith: “Yes, but the ground was a bit too small for a takeoff.” Telegrams which passed between Wyndham and Sydney before the flight were produced. Some referred to alternative landing grounds at Wyndham. One advised carrying emergency supplies of food and water. Kingsford Smith was then questioned about the charts they carried. The missions at Drysdale and Port George were not shown on the maps, he said although the maps were recommended as the most comprehensive procurable. Kingsford Smith went on to relate the text of the dramatic messages passing between himself and IJlm when both realised they were in difficulties. Ulm’s message read: “Let us find some sort of landing ground with the idea of saving the bus intact. We can get help by wireless.” Smith read a draft of a message for McWilliams to send, out explaining the latitude: “Starving; only ten minutes petrol; send planes; now landing near Glenclg river twenty-fivo miles from coast.” Kingsford Smith said ho accepted full responsibility for starting when they did. He still believed they did the right thing. Ho told the story of the perilous landing on the fringe of the mudflat and the crew’s experiences till found. He emphasised that everything humanly possible was done to attract either air or ground rescue parties. All were hysterical and emotional when the Canberra founa them. Mr. Hammond then produced the contract between the airmen and the “Sun” newspaper and the Melbourne “Herald” which provided that £SOO should be paid for the exclusive story of the flight if they beat Hinkler’s record, but only £250 if they did not. Cross-examined by Mr Hammond, K.C., who is assisting the committee of inquiry, Kingsford Smith described the equipment on the Southern Cross, including three pairs of pliers, three screwdrivers, three spanners, a new pair of propellers, but no hammer. There was no occasion for a hammer in the air. Some tools were taken from the plane before they left Kichmond. The emergency wireless set had been removed before the flight_ because there was no need for it, its life being only four hours and its weight being a matter of importance. They left out everything not actually required. Mr Hammond: “Why did you not take precautions on this trip the same as on the Pacific flight?” Kingsford Smith: “We took all necessary precautions. Even if one engine failed we could have flown a thousand miles on the other two. The sandwiches and coffee we left with were sufficient for a flight fifty per cent longer than the one to Wyndham, but when we landed we had only seven sandwiches and a flask and a half of coffee* * * Mr Hammond: “Where did you lose your aerial?” Kingsford Smith: “Half an hour after departure.” Mr Hammond: “Why did you not attempt to affix another? ’ ’ Kingsford Smith: “Wo considered the risk of landing far too great.” Emergency Rations Missing. Smith added that the emergency rations in the plane when they left America had been removed without his of Ulm’s knowledge. Mr Hammond: “Then you had no emergency rations at all?” Kingsford Smith: “By accident we had none, but we thought we had.” Kingsford Smith said he did not know what became of the weather telegram received immediately before they left Richmond. It was possible it was among his flying kit left at Wvndham. Mr Hammond asked: “Why did the Southern Cross take the uncharted and more risky route to Wyndham instead of going to Darwin?” Kingsford Smith: “Because with a heavily loaded plane it was totally impossible to get off again at Darwin. Kingsford Smith spoke highly of the Southern Cross’s instruments and of his colleagues Litchfield and McWilliams. The inquiry was adjourned till tomorrow morning. . A large crowd rushed to gain admission to tho inquiry this morning.