EPIC FLIGHT ENDED.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20431, 11 June 1928, Page 7

EPIC FLIGHT ENDED.

BRISBANE’S WELCOME. A GLORIOUS CONCLUSION. HAPPY AND EXCITED CROWDS. LEADERS CROWNED WITH ROSES. (United Press Association.} (By Electric Telegraph—Copyright.) BRISBANE, June 9. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) A great adventure of, the air—the crossing of the Pacific Ocean from Oakland, California, to Brisbane —was brought to a glorious conclusion at Eagle Farm Aerodrome this morning, when the Southern Cross was escorted by aeroplanes in triumph to the landing ground, and Captain Kingsford Smith and his companions set foot on Australian soil. The monoplane completed its transpacific voyage at 10.14 a.m., after being delayed by storms and wind during the night. The Southern Cross was sighted by the assembled thousands at the aerodrome at 10.17 a.m. It was a minute speck in the south, but as it drew nearer its colossal bulk was seen in contrast to the smaller planes. It approached serenely, flying steadily; then after passing over the ground- it circled three tunes before landing. The blue and silver monoplane was a wonderful sight. Overhead the escorting planes roared and circled, and the terrific din made hearing impossible. The crowd, which stretched seemingly for miles, had commenced cheering as the monoplane circled above, but when it had taxied to a standstill the shouting was doubled, and the tooting of hundreds of motor horns added to the clamour. Although the crowd had waited patiently for hours, it simply went ma 4 when the monoplane landed. Despite efficient police control, people broke through m all directions, and valiant efforts were made to keep them from the Southern Cross. Captain Kingsford Smith was the first to alight. His immediate request was if or a cigarette. Someone in the crowd crowned him with a wreath of roses. Everybody was happy and congratulations were showered on the airmen. The aviators made their way to the city by car through streets jammed with traffic and lined with thousands of cheering people. Later, at the City Hall, Captain Kingsford Smith and his companions were tendered a civic reception. It was a truly memorable occasion, and never has such a gathering of airmen been seen in Brisbane. The only pity was the enforced absence of Captain Kinkier, who should have been the first to congratulate Captain Kingsford Smith and companions. Thousands made for the aerodrome, which is five miles out of the city, soon after dawn. Following by means of broadcasting the progress of the flight Brisbane has been thrilled by the whole adventure, but the last stage caused great anxiety. Half the city must have sat up last night listening to the story of the Southern Cross battling through the Pacific storm. So bad was the weather that the monoplane was forced out of the route, and sighted the Australian coast at Ballina, near the New South Wales border. This delayed the arrival at Brisbane by an hour, but the crowd was patient enough, although few people had breakfast as usual. A Brisbane crowd is usually phlegmatic, but on this occasion the people allowed their enthusiasm ove> the flight to carry them away. Few will forget the inspiring spectacle of the Southern Cross flying without movement to either side towards the landing ground, and surrounded by six escorting planes. When the sun shone on the silver wings and threw into relief the blue body, cries of admiration burst out. The airmen, although cheery and happy after rounding off so gloriously their marvellous flight, showed signs of fatigue, and their meeting with the rocking and tumultuous crowd must have been an ordeal. A dense crowd, swayed outside the City Hall where the airmen were received. Sir John Goodwin said that Captain Kingsford Smith’s flight was not only a personal triumph for the airmen, but marked a new era of aerial navigation. It would remain throughout futurity as a great event of history, and the gallant airmen had written the fame of themselves and their countries in the annals of the world for all time. Queensland might feel justly proud of her sons.”

SOUTHERN CROSS LANDS. AMERICA TO AUSTRALIA. ’ SAFE ARRIVAL AT BRISBANE. A great emprise was brought to successful fruition on Saturday when the aeroplane Southern Cross, bearing Captain Kihgsford Smith and his intrepid companions, arrived safely at Brisbane. The Secretary-general of the Post Office received the following from Awanui radio:—“ll.4l from Brisbane radio: * The ’plane now is nearly overhead, going strong.’ ” The next message stated: “ 10.30 a.m. (Australian time): The Southern Cross has landed.” The following message from the Southern Cross was picked up by the Wellington Radio Station:—ll a.m. “Sorry for our late arrival at Brisbane. Last night’s storm blew us so far off the coast that the land first sighted was south of Ballina. We are on our way up now.—Ulm.”

THROUGH THE NIGHT. A HAZARDOUS PASSAGE. AEROPLANE IN A STORM. SYDNEY, June 10. (Received June 10, at 5.5 p.m.) Lieutenant Ulm’s account of the flight from Suva to Australia states that between 8 and 11 o’clock on Friday night the aeroplane passed through the worst period of the whole flight. Terrific rainstorms with violent bumps caused great concern, one drop being 400 ft. They rose to 7500 ft, but storm conditions still surrounded the aeroplane, which became difficult to control, sometimes needing two men at the controls. After that the airmen varied the altitude frequently between 500 ft and 9000 ft. The weather was warmer, though the men’s hands and feet were ntimbed with the cold of the upper air. At 9.50 o’clock land was sighted, and Captain Lyons got a shot with the sextant. so he was able to figure out the position. Five minutes later the coastline was clear, and Ballina was just below the aeroplane. Lieutenant Ulm says that for the present the party does not desire to announce its plans for the future, though the airmen hope to fly round Australia. A report was current in Sydney last night that the Southern. Cross would fly to New Zealand, thereafter returning to Australia, and then going to England and across the Atlantic to America, thus completing a circuit of the world. The Southern Cross is expected at Sydney at 3 o’clock this afternoon, to land at the Mascot Aerodrome, where enormous crowds will welcome the flyers. The weather at present is gloriously fine, though cold. UNSTINTED PRAISE. AMERICAN PRESS COMMENT. VALUE OF THE ACHIEVEMENT. ALL RECORDS BROKEN. NEW YORK, June 8. (Received June 10, at 5.5 pm.) The safe arrival of the Southern Cross is acclaimed both as an achievement of valour and as a matter of gfeat practical importance. The New York Times, in a leader, says: “ The chief value of the flight of the Southern Cross from California to Queensland is the promise that the way has been blazed for regular commercial service. It no longer seems visionary. It was in keeping with tho fitness of things that Australians and Americans should combine to fly the great ocean from coast to coast, but the enterprise must be more than a sporting event. Praise too high cannot be given to the men who provided the means, and the men who essayed the venture, staking their lives against failure. The Washington Post says :The successful flight of the Southern Cross constitutes the most notable oceanic flight yet accomplished. All sorts of records! go to the credit of the flyers. It must be regarded as the last word in the art of aviation. Another noteworthy advance was the assistance given to the navigators of the Southern Cross by radio, beacons, and signals. The effort and time devoted to the preparation of the flight has been well rewarded in the results.” Mr Curtis D. Wilbur, Secretary of the Navy, said: “ The flight is a marvellous performance, and the navigation was a splendid indication of their airmanship and a credit to the world of aviation. I have been watching the flight with great interest, and am indeed glad to hear that they have succeeded in getting through. They are to be commended.” “ The New York World, in a leader, says:—“ With steadiness and certainty, suggesting the ways of a ship, but at four times the speed and more, the Southern Cross ploughed through the worst weather during the trip, and arrived at Brisbane. The Pacific is conquered. The conquest may well remain the chief aviation event of the year. The flyers worked together harmoniously as a well-matched team, and have well earned ail the plaudits coming to them.” Lieutenant Maitland, the first California to Hawaii flyer, said: “ Captain Kingsford Smith’s flight is the greatest ever made in the history of aviation. I take ray hat off to them. The difficul- ; jes they surmounted probably will never ir realised, but they accomplished what has been generally accepted as impossible in the present state of aviation development. —Australian Press Association. (Continued on Page 8.)