CHICHESTER'S JOURNEY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20893, 8 June 1931, Page 9

CHICHESTER'S JOURNEY

ARRIVAL AT JERVIS BAY.

BAD WEATHER ENCOUNTERED. (Received June 7, 5.5 p.m.) SYDNEY, June 7. Mr. F. C. Chichester arrived in Jervis Bay, 80 miles south of Sydney, yesterday evening after flying from Lord Howe Island on the last stage of his journey from New Zealand. Mr. Chichester left Lord Ilowe Island at 9 a.m., Sydney time. He experienced somo difficulty in rising with his full load, but at the third attempt the seaplane took off, in ideal weather, with a mild south-east wind assisting him. The steamer Kurow sent a wireless message in the afternoon, stating that Mr. Chichester had been sighted at two o'clock, going well. The airman was then about 80 miles duo east of Sydney, heading in a direction slightly south of Sydney. After experiencing extremely bad weather and contending with rain and poor visibility, Mr. Chichester alighted on Jervis Bay alongside the aircraft carrier Albatross. Mr. Chichester said he loft Lord Howe Island in good flying conditions, but strong north-easterly winds and heavy cloud developed, with heavy rain, early in the flight. "A sight taken on the passage," he said, "showed that I was to the southward of my estimated position, but on engine defect made it necessary to steer a course giving a favourable wind. I first sighted the Australian coast to the north of Jervis Bay.", The condition of the sea prevented his departure for Sydney, and there will be a further delay while his engine is being overhauled. His aeroplane is now accommodated on the Albatross.

Mr. F. G. Chichester left Hobsonville on March 28 to fly to Sydney, via Norfolk Island. He reached there 11 hours later. Next morning he was unable to rise and a cross-bracing stay of bis D.H. Moth machine, Madame Elijah, was broken. This was repaired, but his machine was much damaged at Lord Howe Island and he was detained there for many weeks while his machine was being reconditioned.