AVIATORS IN PERIL.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XL, Issue 12429, 21 January 1915, Page 5

AVIATORS IN PERIL.

ADVENTURE NEAR TURKISH POSTS. A REMARKABLE RESCUE. (Official Reporter with the First Aus- , tralian Force.) Cairo,- January S. A cruiser watching a certain jjart of the, Turkish coast line sent out a seaplane with a French pilot, and Captain Stirling-, of the Flying Corps, as observer.- The "plane" flew over a wide, rocky desert into a valley shut iu by high, barren mountains. It was found that Turkish posts existed in the district. The seaplane rose amongst the hills; but when 20 miles inland, and at a- height, of 5000 ft, the engine stopiDcd. The .situation was precarious, as a seaj)lane cannot land safely except in water. A patch of sand was visible far beldiv among some rocks, and the Frenchman steered for it. He made a magnificent volplane towards the earth and turned off the msgneto in order to prevent fire. He then banked up the machine against the wind, so as to check' its speed, and. finally, striking still air, the .seaplane fell I swiftly towards the sand. The moment the floats touched the sand the' tail of the machine was thrown up. The. Frenchman was hurled clear, but Captain Stirling was pinned down, with his logs bejit over his spine. Petrol soaked his clothes, ears, and ■hair, but fortunately did not catch alight. He called out to the Frenchman, but the latter did not rej>ly. Presently Stirling called! again, and the cry brought the stunned Frenchman to his senses. He extricated Stilling. and the two startr-d to return, the Frenchman leaning on .Stirling. After they had covered four miles in four hours, the. Frenchman complained of internal pains and was forced to give up. Stirling gave him half a chocolate and all tlie water lie had. and then went on alone. He walked 16 miles in four hours. The country was bristling with rc.cks, and Turks were often in view. A horseman with a dog, who was scouting out from his party, ajioroaohed to within 100 yards. Stirling lay in the shadow of a bush. The hfcrseman stopped and shouted to n. distant party. Stirling thought ho had been discovered, and crept back along a rocky ledge to a marsh. When -night came on he crept through the Turkish camp fires to water, being desperately thirsty, but expecting momentarily to be seen. Finally lip reached the coast, onh- to find that the cruiser had gone. The captain, knowing that an accident, had Jiaiipened. as the aviators were hours overdue, had put out to sea. -Stirling slept in a hiding place, and when he awoke it- was still dark. He heard the cruiser returning, and called out. Those on the cruiser heard him, and flashed a searchlight. Stirling appeared, and was taken off. A strong party, with guns, searched for the Frenchman till morning, but failed to find him, and gave up hone. The captain felt, an intense convection that tlie airman, would yet be found, and he urged a return to search a. particular portion of the beach. He turned the shio back, and. ■when r»oint was reached he fUished a light. The beam showed up some huts oil the rocks near the shore. From one ot these staggered tlie figure of the Frenchman, • - . The storv, which is unquestionably true, is ano of the most wonderful m the history of aviation.