ATLANTIC AIRWAY

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXIII, 12 June 1929, Page 5

ATLANTIC AIRWAY

FLOATING AERODROMES AS FUELLING STATIONS FIRST BEING BUILT (United Press Association—By Eleotrio Telegraph—Copyright) (Australian Press Asuooiation) LONDON, 11th June. The "Daily Chronicle's" air correspondent says that the first floating aerodrome designed as a fuelling station for a trans-Atlantic aeroplane service is being built ill America on behalf of an influential syndicate which proposes to establish an air mail between America and Europe. A new system of deep sea mooring has been devised, and the top of the island will be flexible so that it will safely ride out the roughest weather. If the experiment is successful, similar islands will be moored every few hundred miles between the United States and the west coast of Ireland. The first islands will be manned by a small crew sufficient to refuel aeroplanes, but later larger islands with restaurants and sleeping rooms will be established. ,'

A representative of the syndicate is now in Ireland in connection with the scheme to make Ireland the terminal point of all trans-Atlantic air routes to Northern Europe.

AHRENBERG'S ATTEMPT

FORCED DOWN AT SEA STOCKHOLM, 11th June. The Swedish aeroplane landed at Reyhjavik safely after being forced down' at sea through the bursting of the petrol pipe during a battle against a gale. The gunboat Odin . answered the S.O.S. and towed the 'plane to Westman Isles, where the gunboat Fylla supplied petrol. Pilot Sverige found the engine undamaged, j (Received 12th June, 9.5 a.m.) LONDON, 11th June. A Reyhjavik message states that Ahrenberg' returned, fitted a new propeler, ignored warnings, and resumed his flight. He was forced to return in three hours owing to inability to penetrate the thick weather.