Centaurus Leaves On Return Flight Across Tasman

Northern Advocate, 10 January 1938, Page 6

Centaurus Leaves On Return Flight Across Tasman

{Special To “Northern Advocate”l AUCKLAND. This Day. JN THE WATERY HOUR OF DAWN, IMPERIAL AIRWAYS’ GLINT FLY-

ING-BOAT CENTAURUS FLEW OUT OF AUCKLAND TO-DAY INTO A CLEARING SKY AND A LIGHT WESTERLY BREEZE.

As she lifted quietly on a direct, rising course, without ceremonial, and without the gesture of a circle over the port, tire muffled roar of her engines was the only farewell she gave.

“Nine and a-half hours to Sydney” was her schedule, and she began it under the omen of a take-off' that was a triumph for perfect organisation.

Exactly at seven minutes to 5 o'clock one of her outer motors broke with a puff of blue smoke into its steady song. On the tick of five, her silver hull had lifted from the white furrow she had ploughed in her watery runway.

Early Astir. At a city hotel five men stirred early this morning and donned their braided, brass-buttoned uniforms. In two groups they hurried downstairs for a light, quick breakfast, first members of the crew, and then their commander, Captain J. W. Burgess, and the chief officer, Mr C. Aldex*. At early breakfast, too, were Mrs Burgess,, the Hon. T. W. White, Australian Minister of Trade and Customs, who is achieving added distinction as the first Minister of the Crown to fly the Tasman, Mr F. Maurice Clarke, manager of' Union Airways, Mrs Clarke, and the Centaurus’ flight clerk, Mr H. J. Bingham. Mr Bingham was in civilian dress, since he is journeying to Sydney by sea, to allow Mr White to fly as a passenger. Mr White’s Farewell Words.

j Advice that the Clipper left HonoI lulu for Kingman Reef at 5.33 a.m. ; New Zealand time, was received during the morning by Mr. A. L. Lewis, airport manager at Auckland. The message added that Captain Edwin C. jMusick was once more in command. | There is every possibility that j freight is being brought to New Zealand by the flying-boat, but it is undei’stood that no mail is on board. Settlement of a mail contract from the United States end of the trans-Pacific route has, in fact, not yet been announced. The Clipper’s present flight is the first southward commercial run under the regular scheme now in operation. Unless unfavourable weather conditions are met. the machine will arrive at Auckland on Wednesday afternoon. She will leave with mails and freight on the return journey early on Saturday morning. Mr Savage's Rug Is Handed Over i WASHINGTON. January 8. A Pan-American Airways representative. Mr William McAvoy, on behalf of the Prime Minister of New Zealand. the Rt. Hon. M. J. Savage, presented to Mr Marvin Mclntyre, secretary, who accepted it on behalf of President Roosevelt, the travelling rug flown from New Zealand in seven j clays over the newly-established route, i The rug would have arrived even j sooner, but adverse weather over the ! United States slightly delayed it's j transit. 1

Mr A. L. Lewis. Pan-American airport manager, watched the Centaurus leave, as also did tjie Hon. T. Bloodworth. chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board, and Mr D. Holderness, superintendent. In the farewell words of the flyingboat’s Ministerial passenger, there was a note of confidence regarding the trans-Tasman trips. “Undoubtedly,” said Mr White, “this survey flight will be just a preliminary to a service which will come as soon as the Governments concerned can arrange it.” Thus, it may be that the next coming of so eagerly-tiwaited a visit of the Centaurus will be at the conference table of three Governments— Eritian, Australia and New Zealand. Good Progress, The Centaurus made remarkably good progress since it left Auckland this morning, and at 10 o'clock Captain Burgess radioed that he expected to reach Sydney at 2.15 this afternoon (New Zealand time). Because two hours are gained in crossing the Tasman, continuation ' of this progress meant that Captain Burgess would be able to bring his craft down at Sydney well in time for lunch. Before he left, Captau Burgess estimated that the crossing would be completed in about nine and a-half hours. At 10 o’clock, five hours after the departure, the Centaurus was near the half-way mark. A radio message received by Union Airways gave her position as 555 miles from Auckland. Her speed was then 130 knots and. her altitude 8000 feet.

Cruising at the same speed, but now 000 feet above the sea, the flying-boat advised at 10.30 that she was only 490 miles from Sydney. Getting Nearer.

The progress of the Centaurus was well maintained on the last stages of the journey. At 1.10 this afternoon, a further message was received in Auckland staling that the flying-boat was 190 miles from Sydney. Her speed was reduced to 115 knots and her altitude was 95C feet. Delayed by Head Winds? At 2.25 p.m., Captain Burgess advised that he would probably not arrive until 3 p.m. New Zealand time. It appears now that the trip will occupy fully 10 hours. The message received at 2.25 p.m. stated that the Centaurus was 100 miles off Sydney, (lying at 300 feet. Although it is not definitely known, it is thought that head winds may have caused some delay. At 3 p.m. word was received to (he effect that the Centaurus was in sight of the Australian coast.