AWAY AT LAST!

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1928, Page 9

AWAY AT LAST!

SOUTHERN CROSS TAKES THE AIR

UNEXPECTED DEPARTURE

PERFECT TAKE-OFF

RAIN AND WIND ENCOUNTERED

(Special to Press Association.—Copyright.)

BLENHEIM, This Day,

The Southern Cross took off at 4,55 o’clock this morning and rose slowly, after a 300 yards’ run. The plane circled round Blenheim and then sailed off to pick up Cook Strait.

NEW ZEALAND!”

Lieutenant Him and Messrs Litchfield and McWilliams, hearty good wishes for a safe journey back to Sydney. We have been delighted to have you with us and trust that you will have pleasant recollections of your stay in the Dominion. Kia Ora. —J. G. Coates.”

FINAL FELICITATIONS,

GOOD WISHES EXCHANGED,

BIG CROWD WATCHES TAKE-OFF,

(Special to Press Association. — Copyright.)

The reply was as follows:—“Right Hon. J. G. Coates, Prime Minister, Wellington: Before taking off from Blenheim for Sydney my companions and I wish to express, once again, our keen appreciation of the splendid hos* pitality extended to us in all the portions of Hew Zealand which we- were privileged to visit. We carry With us most pleasant memories of the wonderful country and its Warmhearted, virile people. We would take this opportunity, just before clambering aboard the Southern Cross, ito express to you and your Government and to your Departmental -officers, our heartfelt thanks for many kindnesses. Farewell, New Zealand! —C. E. Kingsford Smith,” MESSAGES RECEIVED RUNNING REPORT. ■ (Special to .Press Association Copyright.) j WELLINGTON, This Day. j The Secretary of the General Post Office ht« received the following messages concerning the flight of /the Southern Cross:— Southern Cross'hopped off for Sydney at 4.04 a.rn, 5.30, New Zealand ’ mean 'time; Picked up Southern Cross and exi changed signals. Still working plane in wireless communication both ways. Plane working excellently. Plane attempting, to ednimuni'ea-te' with" Radio, Sydney. Sydney reports short-wave signals swinging badly Snd having difficulty to bold.his signals.' 5.46: . Plane -taking hearings. Key locked.

BLENHEIM, This Day

At dawn this morning the Southern Cross took off on her flight from New Zealand to Australia, in the presence of between 4000 and 5000 people, who gave the fliers a rousing farewell. The plane left the ground at 4,54 o’clock. People began to assemble at the aerodrome before midnight .and from that time the crowd grew steadily. It congregated round the hangar wherein the Southern Cross was housed, making a remarkable scene; - In a half light, punctually at four o’clock Squadron-Leader Kingsford Snpth, M.C., A.F.C., and his party arrived, in a car and were cheered again and again as they donned their flying suits. Tnen came the fliers ’ farewell to the people of New Zealand, in which sincere thanks was returned for the hos* jutality and appreciation of the many kindnesses received from everybody. Dawn was just breaking when the big plane was moved from the hangar to the runway.. She was ready for the tftke-off at 4.45, but some of the crowd were encroaching on the runway and there was some delay until they were forced out of danger. At 4.51, Squadron-Leader Kingsford. Smith waved his hand in signal and opened up the engines.

The Southern Cross bounded down the runway at 80 miles an hour and after covering 650 yards rose gently in a perfect take-off. She turned in a'half-circle back towards the" hangar ai 100 feet and, with two Bristols in attendance, sped over Blenheim to Cloudy Bay. At 5.3 o’clock the machines had vanished and the historic' flight hud begun. Two miles out to sea the Bristols turned back, landing at 5.20. The fliers have been recommended to proceed on a northerly course from Cook Strait to latitude 36 south and longitude 165 east. This is the position in the Tasman Sea approximately in the same latitude as Auckland. From this point the fliers will proceed in a bee-line for Sydney. However, if the head Avinds encountered in the early part of the journey do not exceed 25 miles per hour, the Southern Cross will travel direct to Sydney without proceeding north at all. MESSAGE TO PEOPLE OF NEW ZEALAND. Prior to entering the Southern Cross, Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith handed to the press the following message to the people of New Zealand: — “On behalf of the crew and myself, on thq eve of the departure or the Southern Cross, on the return trip to Sydney, we feel we cannot undertake the trip without a final farewell message of goodwill 'to to the people of the Dominion, “Our sho.r/ stay here has confirmed the already high opinion which we had of the people of New Zea-, land, and, in addition, it has been the means of forming many new and treasured friendships. We can honestly say that nowhere in the course of our flying careers have we been so enthusiastically and hospitably received as by the New Zealand people. “If in a small way we have been the means of further cementing the cordial relations between our two countries, we feel, indeed, that our visit lias done some good. “Again with every expression of goodwill from the crew of the Southern Cross to the people of New Zealand, wo say ‘ Cheerio ’ till we meet again.” At 3.30 this morning. SquadronLeader Kingsford Smith received the following telegram from his Excellency the Governor-General: —“Good luck. —Governor-General. ’ ’

6.13: Southern Cross’ position 6 a.m,, New Zealand" time, 1 latitude 40.44 south, longitude 174.09 east, course 309 deg', true, speed 49 knots, 7 a.m: Still in two-way communication with Southern Cross. All well.

7.10 a.m: Southern Cross asking what ship is 'that below. 7.30: Plane reports all well. Noth-

ing to transmit. 8.30 a.m: Southern Cross reports all well. Doing 50 knots. Altitude 500 feet.

9 a.m. —Position, latitude 39.13 south, longitude 171.24 east, altitude 600 feet; speed 55 knots; course 309 degrees, TWO-WAY COMMUNICATION. , The Post Office ad vises: “Southern Cross losi' bur signals after two and a half hours out. Plane signals very strong. We have how*established a two-way communication through the s.s. Maboiio. Plane reports all well.” 10.25 a.m. —Position, latitude 38.38 south; longitude, 170.20 east; altitude, 400 feet; speed, 52 knots, 11 a.m.—Still in two-way communication with Southern Cross through s.s. Maheno; 'plane experiencing strong head winds, otherwise all well. WIND INCREASING. 11 a.m. —Since leaving- storm nothing to report. Head wind again increasing, now over 25 knots per hour. Sky clear; sun now out, choppy winds causing bumps. Still preserving altitude of under 500 feet as head wind is stronger. Passed three ships earlier this morning. Cheerio.—Ulm.

“Noon.—Position Latitude 38.03 south, Longitude 168.35 east; course 256 degrees, altitude, 500 feet; speed 52 knots.”

1.10 p.m. —Position Latitude 37.46 south, Longitude 167.27 east, course 286 degrees, altitude 500 feet, speed 55 knots.

2 p.m—The position of the Southern Cross is now: Latitude, 37.30 south'; longitude, 165.33 east; course, 299 degrees; speed, s{) knots; altitude, 400 feet.

CITY SURPRISED

The following reply was immediately despatched:—"His Excellency the Governor-General, Wellington: My companions and I wish to thank you and her Excellency for your kindly interest in us and for your messages of encouragement.—C. E. Kingsford Smith."

BAD WEATHER. PREVAILING.

WELLINGTON, This Day,

It was with considerable surprise that the announcement was heard here that the aviators had actually left, as a heavy and blustering northerly, almost of gale force, is blowing in Wellington, Rain is threatening and it appears more likely to become worse than better.

At 3.45 a.m., the following telegram w r as received from the. Prime Minister on behalf of the people and Government of New Zealand:—"l desire to extend to yourself, Flight-

STORY FROM THE PLANE

GRAPHIC DETAILS.

BUfM|PY CONDITIONS.

“WEATHER ROTTEN.”

(Special to Press Association.— Copyright.)

WELLINGTON/ This Day.

The following copyright story was sent out by wireless from the Southern Gross: —

6.10 a.m,—Many bumps through Straits;. true course 309 degrees against strong head wind; altitude 500 ft; air speed 76 knots; sky overcast, but seems to be improving. Still bumping, much cloud above with slight rain. Leaving last of South Island coast on port beam. Heavy seas below. If present strength of head winds lasts more than six hours will return to Blenheim. 8.20 a.m. —Have been in rain and %vind storm for last hour at altitude, of under 500 feet. , Sky very overcast; visibility nil; thick rain in cockpit; weather rotten, strong north to north-cast wind; gloves wet through; hands very cold.

FLIERS' INTENTIONS MAY POSSIBLY RETURN. (Per Tress Association. —Copyright.) BLENHEIM, This Day. Prior to leaving Blenheim, the fliers announced that should they encounter heavy head winds in the early stages of the journey, so that the speed be reduced below a margin of safety, they would carry on from four to seven hours in the hope of running into better conditions predicted on the other side of the Tasman, but if there was no improvement in this time they would turn back to Blenheim, landing here four or five hours after turning, DESTROYERS ON WATCH INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA, (Received 12.45 p.m.) SYDNEY, This Day,

The Australian destroyers, which were exercising in Jervis Bay, received, radio instructions to keep a sharp look-oiit for the fliers. The destroyer Anzac put to sea immediately. The departure of the Southern Cross is published in late editions of the "Daily Telegraph/’ which indicates that the fliers are encountering strong head winds, which are likely to compel their return to Blenheim,

The last message was timed 5.35 a.m., saying speed was 94 knots.