SOUTHERN CROSS STARTS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20599, 25 June 1930, Page 11

SOUTHERN CROSS STARTS.

TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT WEATHER NOT FAVOURABLE REPORT FROM NEW YORK. SMITH QUITE CONFIDENT. CHEERING IRISH CROWD. (Copyright in New Zealand by Australian Presß Association. World's Copyright by New York Times.) (Received Juno 21, C.25 x>.m.) LONDON, Juno 24. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his companions left Portmarnock at 4.30 a.m. to-day in tho monoplane Southern Cross on their . transatlantic flight. There was a crowd of cheering spectators to see the adventurers off, including Mr. James McNeill, .Governor-General of tho Irish Free Stale. Before ' tho departure Kingsford Smith said: "We do not merely hope to get across; we are certain wo will." There was some doubt whether tho machine would lift its 7-ton load, but it roso gracefully and easily and was out of sight within 90 seconds of taking off. A message from New York this evening stated that Dr. James Kimball, meteorologist, said-' the weather conditions in the North Atlantic wero unfavourable for the flight and there were no indications of helping winds. The'situation had not cleared to any appreciable extent. There was a dense fog at Capo Race, Sablo Island, and tho winds over the western half of the ocean wero generally westerly and south-westerly. Probably the conditions for landing at New York would be bad to-morrow night. Dr.. Kimball's detailed report stated : From longitude 35, clouds; from 42 to 60, showors; from 45 to 57 and thenco to New. York, overcast. Winds at a height of 2000 ft.: From longitude 55, fresh westerly; from 45, fresh to strong westerly; from CO to New York, southwesterly.

Persons interested in the United States attempted to persuade Kingsford Smith to postpone tho flight further, but an interchange of communications revealed the fact that tho airman refused to delay any longer. Steps have been taken to send a refuelling aeroplane from New York to Portland, Maine, immediately.

According to previous announcements Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith is accompanied 011 his transatlantic flight in the Southern Cross by Mr. Van Dyk (second pilot), Mr. J. W. Stannago (wireless operator) and an Irish navigator. In an interview on June 6 Smith said he was out to break down the evil reputation of tho venture which has cost many lives. "We have not the slightest doubt we shall reach New York," ho said. "I have the best crew in the world and the Southern Cross is in first-class condition. We shall follow the northern great circle route as far as Cape Race, and that 1900 miles should occupy 23 hours. From Cape Race we shall strike toward Maine and skirt the coast to New York. That will be a further distance of 1200 miles. The entire flight should take 35 hours."