OVER VOLCANOES

Northern Advocate, 25 November 1925, Page 11

OVER VOLCANOES

BY AIRPLANE,

A SENSATIONAL VOYAGE.

Leroy Jeffers, F.R.G.S., writes in the New York "Times": — This summer, when preparations "Were nearly completed for the na\y's valiant attempt to reach Hawaii by Ti'ir, the writer found himself at the Government dockyard at Pearl Harbour, near Honolulu. Here was. an X'liormous dry dock for the largest ships and repair shops of all descriptions, and here also was- the Langsley, aircraft carrier, whose high, flat deck enables aviators to land and to take off wherever the ship may be at sea. In this extensive inland harbour, with its many .locks, a convenient island is shared by the Government air fores. Commander M. B. McComb, of the inaval air force, invited me to fly with him over the sea on a visit to Hawaii, j the largest island of tho group, to "get -a bird's-eye view, for the topography of a region is. seen at a glance from -the air. Just as we climbed into our \ ouglil TVe-7F 'plane we were warned of •idangerous air conditions by an aviator •who had returned from a battle with •istorm winds and low temperature fiboye. Immediately we were off, rising with ease and flying back and forth over a small area as we climbed upward. For days it had been rough weather on the ocean, and we found . -the air very "bumpy" up to 10,000 feet. There are dangerous waves in the air as well as on the sea, with j ascending and descending currents that j might easily prove extremely liazar- . Idous. Sixty-mile an hour gusts threatened to send our 'plane on a nose I idive. I ENTRANCING GLIMPSES. For 4000 to 7000 feet white cloud# I Tiovered over the mountains, and we j passed through their sunlit mists. Fre- j ■quently we had entrancing glimpses "through these cloud-lands of verdant mountains and foam-flecked sea. Then •we soared above the clouds until the island of Ohau grew small beneath us, and the others of the group seemed floating on a universe of sky and sea. We were flying at 100 miles an liour, and the force of the wind was •so strong that one could scarcely hold lis arm out against it; but at high ■elevation it was difficult to realise the speed. Looking upward from the ■ground an airplane is seen to move swiftly, but looking down on the ■earth from above one's progress appears far less rapid. Likewise, elevation is often gained with such apparent ease that after a few thousand feet one may underestimate his true lieight. Conversation being impossible on account of the noise of the engine iand the pressure of the wind, instrumental readings were passed on by the pilot —opening and closing his hand to indicate 5000 feet, showing each additional thousand with his lingers. AYe were far above the volcanoes of Haleakala, 10,082 feet, on Maui; Mauiia Loa, 13,675 feet; and snoW-crowned Mauna Kea, 13,825 feet, on distant Hawaii. We were rising like a bird, luit far beyond the flight of any. The mountains on our island seemed but Tidges on a relief map, and to us the precipices of the Pali were but tiny. From over the ancient crater of Diamond Head we looked down on Wailuki Beach. At this height the streets und buildings of Honolulu merged in a general plan, but outlying areas of •green indicated sugar cane, and those of red earth pineapple fields. Wc sped for many miles out across the Pacific, ■enjoying the. green and white of the sea near the'shore and the deep blue iof its vast " silent spaces beyond. CEILING OF THE SKY. I had climbed many : of the highest peaks in the. United States and the Canadian Rockies, but they do not exceed 14,500 feet, and we were Ing thousands of fe"* The air grew chill, the things of earth lost their interest. We seemed apart from man, and felt as if we were about to find freedom in another world of experience. Our 'plane almost vnichnfl "its "ceiling" at an elevation of nearly three and a half miles. The pilot "kissed his hand to the sky to indicate good-bye, and we fairly slid downward "through the air. At this angle the landscape curious-, ly seemed to curve upward in a sudden effort to reach us. I have descended mountains rapidly, but this •was falling thousands of feet in a few seconds. After a time one noticed that we were circling a little, for our ears had registered the sudden change in atmospheric pressure. As we reached the vicinitv of tho enrth its heavier atmosphere and tropic heat were vp'T •apparent. At dinner we previous flights. As we talked an evening paper was delivered with an account of a thrilling rescue effected under direction of the commander on the previous night. He had received a telephone call asking'that search be mo/io for three men who had bnen lost at sea in a 20-foot launch. Tn toil minutes a seaplane started, and ill half an hour the mien were located seven miles off Pearl Harbour, lashed to their boat, which threatened to overturn as it was swept, liv the seas. TVir engine had refused to work, and t'-ov faced death for 12 liours in a -10-mile gale, while they watched f'e - I ta v! >s plar around their disabled rr'f. Tho aviator immediately notified '> naval tug, win eh steamed out "vd brought the launch to luirbour in safi'tv. There is nn"-h of interest, in Honolulu and its < '"initv. Tho streets are lined with ■'Vnvoving t> - ees, which are bright with colonr in July. Most striking arc tho roval poincianas, with their masses nf brilliant- scarlet bloom, the pirik and golden shower trees, purple jacarr'udas, pink and white oleanders an' 1 many-coloured hibiscus flowers, of there are over two thousand varieties. Tn the evening the night-blooming cereus opens its great creamy blossoms with golden

falls. The hills are covered with the light green of kuku trees and the darker green of crescent-leaved koas. On the lower slopes the Japanese have terraced their flower and vegetable gardens. In the broader valleys vast fields of sugarcane provide the leading commercial industry of the islands; while enormous areas of pineapples running over the foothills are of almost equal importance.

One of the most, interesting drives is up a winding road to Mount Tantalus, 2013 feet. The eye wanders westward from Diamond Head across the city, hidden among its trees and flowers, to the gleaming locks of Pearl Harbour, over which the sun is setting. The sea blends with the sky in pink and lavender, without visible horizon. Later, the view from Pacific Heights is a memorable one, for it extends across the darkening valleys and over the city, now gleaming with a thousand lights. Back of us storm clouds are hovering among the mountain peaks, but the crescent moon hangs high and the Southern Cross lies low upon the waters.

All who visit Honolulu linger at its world-famed Waikiki Beach, which is four miles from the city. Here surf-bathing is enjoyed throughout the year, for the water remains at about 7(> degrees. You may go in safety far out to the coral reef which protects the beach from sharks and undertows. Then with surfboard of koa wood you start on a wave for the shore, travelling from twenty to thirty miles an hour. As you become expert you may stand erect for a considerable time, but sooner or later ymi lose your balance amid the flying spray, tuid the wave goes on without you.