STORY OF THE FLIGHT

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23014, 17 October 1936, Page 13

STORY OF THE FLIGHT

INCIDENTS BY THE WAY A VIVID NARRATIVE INTERVIEW WITH MISS BATTEN (Special to Daily Times) (Exclusive Copyright) AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. “I find it hard to believe that I do not have to go on somewhere else.” said Miss-Batten as she settled herself deep into a chair. “ but there doesn’t seem anywhere .else to go to unless to the Antarctic. But one thing I do know. When I -travel for a while after this I am going by train or road transport. I have had enough of the air for the time being. “As for the flight, I think my main impression was the utter loneliness and the immensity of the vast blue stretch of water. Still, I had the utmost confidence in my machine, which is the one I used when I flew across the Atlantic to South America. Everyone was awfully ;ood to me in Australia. Sir Archdale Parkhill was very generous in permitting me to sleep at the mess at Richmond. FLIGHT STARTED “ I was called at a-quarter to 3, Australian time of course, and I had a cup of coffee. Then I tested the engine, and at 4.30 a.m.. two hours before sunrise. I took off. There were 18 flares on the ground, which was much more than usual, and I rose nicely with a big load and with my navigation lights showing. As I circled the '’drome to gain height I could see the people .below waving, and I remembered that it was at Richmond that I had my very first flight, when I went up with Kingsford Smith. “ My course was set for Mascot, Sydney. As I neared it, it was a mass of lights, which looked very beautiful. The lights also pricked out the Sydney harbour bridge over Botany Bay. STRAIGHT INTO THE SUN “I set a course straight into the rising sun. The weather was nice, hut the sea, whipped by the wind, was very choppy , after I passed Sydney Heads, though it got calmer later About 300 miles out I ran into great banks of clouds and went up to 5000 feet to get above them. After a while they began to break up, so I went down to check my drift on the waves.

“It was terribly lonely. Perhaps 1 felt it the more after the crowds in Australia, and I was quite dazed with the effect of the sun in my eyes. I had to wear my topee. It was amazing to have to set across the Tasman wearing a topee, but there you are As the sun rose the wind was approximately north-east. “I may say that at the beginning of my flight 1 allowed five degrees for drift and for the last 800 miles seven degrees. STORMS ENCOUNTERED “ I was now about 1000 ft up, and I never rose again above that height. I had a nice lunch and began to settle down, but about 900 miles out I noticed storms looming up south of my course and then when about 1000 miles out I ran into a big storm. “The rain was intense, just like the tropics, and it was very cold. My cabin leaked and the water began to soak, my shoulders. I was flying blind, for the clouds were low Just after getting through this 1 passed an albatross while I was flying at 800 feet, and I did feel pleased at the company. MONSTERS OF THE DEEP “ Soon after, 1 looked down at what appeared like a wreath on the water. It was horrible, for it was a whale swimming just be: -ath the surface, and its back looked green. I thought of the spirit of Moby Dick and I wished then very intensely that I would b£ able to see land. “ I saw flying fish below and then l saw another whale ’ -emcmbered, then, that at this time of the year whales go. through Cook Strait, and I had a sudden fear that I was passing through the Straits and going into the Pacific. “ The horizon was very blurred and I realised that, a storm was ahead I was now flying at 600 feet trying to get under it. Nine hours had passed, and I began to wonder it I had allowed too much for the drift. Nine and a quarter hours passed. The visibility was bad and I calculated f should be in sight of land. LAND AHEAD 4 Soon after that 1 saw something dark just ahead. I was flying over three little islands, and I recognised the Bell Rock. You can just imagine my relief as. a few minutes later 1 flew over New Plymouth. “ 1 had struck New Plymouth absolutely the course I had planned Had I posesssed a wireless I could not have done better I felt very happy though there were great big clouds and it was soon teeming Over the New Plymouth aerodrome I could see the crowds and their upturned faces, and an Air Force machine on the ground NEW RECORD CREATED “It had taken me just 9J hours from Richmond to the New Ply mouth aerodrome, and I had made the fastest time in history. I changed my course for Auckland It was good to feast my eyes on land again after those miles of ultra marine blue sea. “T certainly thought I was near land some way off New Zealand when the sea began to merge into a green. THE LONELINESS “ It is the absence of signs of life over the sea that makes one so lonely. Soon after I left Sydney I passed a school of porpoises, and near New Zealand T sighted gulls and loved to see them. " Between New Plymouth and Auckland I had to pass through several storms, but it was fairly :lear by the time had reached Auckland.” Miss Batten expressed pleasure at the triumph for a British ">gine and aeroplane, and at the great help given her everyv’ - e She was especially grateful for the weather forecasts given to her. She carried to New Zealand a small New Zea land flag and a small toy cat pre sented to her in Australia as a mascot.

MISS BATTEN’S LOG Miss Batten’s log is as follows: , 6.30 a.m. New Zealand time: Left Richmond aerod me. 6.50: Left Australia. Magnetic bearing 92deg 7.0; climbing above clouds. 8.30: Slight rain.. Sky clear ng; wind N.E. 9.30: Approximately 450 miles out. Climbed to I 'oooft. 9.35; Raining to starboard. Broken cloud and at 1000 ft. 10.0: Approximately halfway across; should see land ir about four hours; sea much calmer. 11.0: Very lonely; can see shoal of flying fish.. 12.0: Edge of rainstorm. 12.45: Just flown through heavy rain. No cloud. Port centre section leaking badly.. Just seen albatross. Land should be .about - 300 miles away. . 1.30: Weather improved; some.seagulls; Hurrah! 2.30: Just seen whale; should see land soon. ... 2.35: Another whale; thought it was a reef; wish I could see land; cloud ahead. , , Bad visibility: raining. 3.55; Bell Rock; land ahead. 4.0: New'Zealand; Hurrah! 4.3: New Plymouth; absolutely on course: bad weather ahead; teeming rain. Nine hours thirty minutes Tasman crossing, Richmond to New Plymouth. 5.5: Auckland.

JOURNEY TO THE CITY A TRIUMPHAL PROGRESS CHEERING CROWDS LINE ROUTE (Per United Press Association) AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. The drive from the aerodrome to the city was a triumphal progress for Miss Batten for a great part of the distance, and the crowds that lined the route in the hope of catching a brief glimpse, of the aviatrix showed the warm place she holds in the hearts of the people. v Although Miss Batten spent about half an hour in he clubhouse after her arrival, a, large proportion of the vehicles had not left when , her car started for the city, but admirable arrangements had been made by the traffic officers to keep the route clear for her. Preceded by a traffic officer on a motor cycle and a car with a siren, her car made rapid progress through the dense masses of traffic. For several miles the roads were filled with a continuous line of in-ward-bound vehicles, and another line which had not reached the aerodrome on the outward journey before Miss Batten’s arrival. In some places the cars had been stopped to allow a clear route down the middle and the occupants alighted to see Miss Batten the better and give her another cheer as she passed. At every corner and in every gateway there were groups of people along the road from Mangere to Onehunga. At the Gnehunga Post Office a dense crowd had congregated. Miss Batten’s car stopped to allow, her to change into the front seat so that she could stand up through the sunshine roof and wave to the people. Here a group of school children threw flowers into her car and men clqrnbered oil to the running boards to shake her hand. . • Shopkeepers frantically waving their aprons, men waving their hats, women their handkerchiefs, and children jumping up and down in delight were seen all along the route through Onehunga and Epsom. A light of real pride and excitement came into all eyes.as after fruitlessly watching the long lines of cars go by the waiting groups at last recognised their heroine. ' • Nearer the city, uncertainty as to the route resulted in fewer people being oh the lookout, but, there was another crowd waiting to give Miss Batten a final cheer outside the Grand Hotel. , One of the first to greet her, here was Mr Richard Crooks, the noted American tenor. Various pressing matters required her attention at the .hotel, and it was not until about 8 o’clock that she had her first meal. Apparently possessed of endless energy she left almost at once to broadcast and make a personal appearance at a theatre. ■ On her return she became absorbed in the hundreds of * cables and telegrams that awaited her She did not retire until fairly late. Her programme for the next few days was not decided to-night.

THE SILVER MONOPLANE MACHINE GREATLY ADMIRED THE EMBODIMENT OF SPEED i Special ro Daily Times) AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. From when it first appeared on the southern skyline until it was safely housed behind the guarded doors of the hangar Miss Batten’s aeroplane was the centre of a clamorous and curious crowd. The little silver machine aroused interest second only to that of the heroine herself, and when at last it was trundled, from the tarmac into the comparative quietness of the great hangar pilots and mechanics alike gathered round in silent admiration. One of the ground staff in greasy overalls stepped forward with some cotton waste and carefully wiped away the only sign of smeary oil. It was a simple but exoressive action. A low-wing monoplane finished in silver, the plane is the very embodiment of speed. It is, in fact, the first machine of racing type which has visited New Zealand Except for the neat gold emblem of the Percival Gull company and four international insignias headed by that of the Dominion on her tail, the glistening silver fabric of the machine is unrelieved. Gradually, the favoured few in the hangar grew to a crowd. Policemen, photographers, officials of all descriptions suddenly found that it was important for them to enter the hangar. Those who knew began to °xnlain the finer points of the machine. Fitted with a 200-h.p., six-cylinder Gypsy engine, the aeroplane is technically known as a Percival Vega Gull Its maximum speed is about 175 miles an hour, while it can cruise at about 160 miles an hour. It is chiefly noted for its speed and ease of handling, two qualities which were obvidus even to the layman as Miss Batten circled the aerodrome ->reparatory to landing. Perhaps the most striking feature of the machine was its cleanliness. There was hardly a spot on its shining fuselage and wings, while, the salt-smeared windows of the cabin were the only evidence of its last great flight over the Tasman. A peep into the cabin was a revelation. There was about as much room as is provided for the driver of a single-seater racing car. The cabin, which normally would seat

four persons, was mostly occupied by a great petrol tank. On the right-hand side was another smaller tank containing extra lubricating oil. The instruments and controls, including those for blind flying, were neatly grouped and were of the conventional type. A few charts and maps, a topee, a drinking glass and Miss Batten’s precious log book completed the gear. ■ The cabin top, which, like the sides, was transparent, was fitted with tastefully-tinted green curtains, an absolute necessity in some of the tropical regions through which Miss Batten has passed. '

AN UNERRING LANDFALL FLIGHT; OVER NEW PLYMOUTH BOMBER'S HOPELESS CHASE (Per United Press Association) ■ NEW PLYMOUTH, Oct. 16. Sweeping in from the Tasman Miss Batten flew over New Plymouth at high speed, making a wide curve over the aerodrome at five minutes past 4 and turning into a following, wind, in the direction of Auckland. Several hundred people gathered at the aerodrome and thousands in the town waved frantically as the graceful plane sped over at an altitude of about 500 ft In an incredibly short time the ma chine had iisappeared into the mist Although Mount Egmpnt was at times shrouded in mist, the clouds were probably local, for Miss Batten made her landfall unerringly indicating the perfection of her navigation. Preparations had been made at the aerodrome for a landing if it were found necessary, but from the ground Miss Batten seemed to be in no need of making a stop after her long flight. During the afternoon several-aero-planes, including an Air Force bomber piloted by Flight-lieutenant Lester, scouted the icean front, but all, were on the ground when Miss Batten suddenly appeared. Immediately she had passed over the bomber took to the air in pursuit, but the big machine had no hope of overtaking the sleek, shining monoplane

ACCURACY OF DIRECTION FELLOW-AIRMAN’S TRIBUTE AN OUTSTANDING ACHIEVEMENT (Special to Daily Times) . AUCKLAND, Oct. 16. “Miss Jean Batten’s flight to-day lines up in my estimation with Sir Charles Kingsford Smith’s transpacific hop as being among the outstanding accomplishments in the history of aviation,” said Mr John Stannage, who accompanied Sir Charles on one of his trans-Tasman flights in the Southern Cress. “We should all be exceptionally proud of our fellow New Zealander, who has set a mark that will take men a great deal to equal,” he added. “ I can imagine how she must have strained her eyes about 4 o’clock as we did'in search of land, and how overjoyed she would be when she saw Mount Egmont poking through the clouds,”: Mr Stannage"continued. “Apparently she set an amazingly accurate course, and the luck was with her in having a trailing wind. She was a very lucky little girl, and •one who will not be spoiled by the acclaim of admirers at home and abroad.” '

TRIBUTES IN THE HOUSE GREAT FEAT ACCLAIMED ENTHUSIASTIC CONGRATULA- . _ TIONS - .(From Our Parliamentary Reporter) WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. “This is one of the biggest accomplishments of the age,” said the Prime Minister (Mr Savage) when referring in the House of Representatives late this afternoon to Miss Batten’s successful flight. Both sides of the House united in an enthusiastic tribute to the New Zealand aviatrix, and the. Prime Minister’s references were warmly cheered. . . ;uy , r “The whole House will unite in extending very hearty congratulations to Miss Batten, on her successful negotiation of the Tasman crossing,” Mr Savage said. “Miss Batten has not only proved that she is foremost among women, but that she is foremost among those who have mastered the air. I have read a recent reference by a clergyman to her achievements, and I think that he put it very aptly when he said that Miss Batten had beaten the birds at their own game. “ New Zealand will certainly be proud of her,” Mr Savage continued, “ and I am sure that every member of the House will join in extending the congratulations of Parliament and of New Zealand to her, and in voicing our hope that she will be spared for many years to come to do even greater things in the world of flying. Those of us who have some knowledge of mechanics know how easily the best machine will, stop and how even the best engineer cannot then say why. Those who know the eccentricities of engineering will marvel at the nerve and capacity of this young woman. Her accomplishment brands Miss Batten as a fearless girl and a fine engineer, and it shows that women can compare very favourably with men in most things requiring skill and courage.”

Mr Savage concluded: “ I want to extend to Miss Batten on behalf of the Government and the people of this country our heartiest congratulations on her accomplishment and to voice our great satisfaction that she is here and well in the land of her birth.” The Leader of the Opposition (Mr G. W. Forbes) said he desired to be associated with the Prime Minis-

ter in offering his congratulations to Miss Batten, who had just completed a remarkable feat. “When we heard the news that Miss Batten had arrived our first feeling was one of relief,” Mr. Forbes said. “ That was followed by a feeling of pride for her wonderful capacity, courage and determination to achieve her ambition to fly from England to the country Of her birth.” MESSAGES OF GOODWILL VICE-REGAL CONGRATULATIONS: PRIME MINISTER’S TELEGRAM I ' (Per. United Press Association) .: / < WELLINGTON, Oct. 16. The Governor-General, Viscount Galway, wrote to Miss Jean Batten tonight congratulating her on the successful termination of her flight from England to New Zealand. The following telegram was despatched by the. Prime Minister l(Mr M. J. Savage) to Miss Jean Batten this evening:—“ We have heard .with , very great- relief of your safe*-ar-rival in your homeland, and. once again it is my pleasure to congratulate you most heartily on behalf of the Government and the people of New Zealand ’on yet another meritorious record-breaking flying achievement. The world recognises you as one of the most famous air- ’, women and New Zealand is proud to claim you as one of her own. Best wishes.” MESSAGE FROM DUNEDIN The Mayor of Dunedin (the Rev. E. T. Cox) sent the following telegram to Miss Jean Batten:— “Heartiest congratulations on your wonderful, achievement from the citizens of Dunedin.” ... COMMERCE DELEGATES THREE CHEERS FOR JEAN Visiting delegates to the Congress of the Federation of Chambers of Commerce who were the guests of Sir Percy Sargood at his residence, “Marinotoj” yesterday afternoon were as keenly interested in the flight of Miss Jean Batten as: any New Zealander could have been. When the Mayor (the Rev E. T. Cox) received the first message that she had been sighted over New I Plymouth there was immense satisfaction all round. From then on the Mayor | was kept busy supplying the visitors with progress reports, and when word was received that she had landed at Auckland the assembly rose and gave three hearty cheers for Jean. SYDNEY THRILLED 'v

(United Press Association) iß.v Electric Telegra h—Copyright) V ‘ SYDNEY,: Oct. 16. (Received Oct. 16, at 9 p.m.) . , The whole city was thrilled when it became known about 2.30 that Miss Batten was over New Zealand. The Sun was on the streets before 3 p.m. with the arresting bill “ Bravo' Jean! ” Several stations, broadcast the enthusiastic scenes of: the landing at Mahgere.’Jean’s neat, cool speech was plainly ■ heard in all parts of the State. The PrimeMinister of Australia, the Premier of New South Wales and other prominent people immediately . cabled heartiest congratulations. . Captain P. G. Taylor, who' set Miss Batten’s compass before her departure, said: “ It is a< magnificent effort of courage and flying ability.: Just what I ekpect from.- Jean Batten.” Major Murray Jones, general manager of de Havillands, said: “I watched her take off this morning and I take off my hat .to her.” The newspapers feature overnight scenes at Richmond aerodrome and publish striking photo -raphs of the plane’s take-off at dawn. EARLIER MESSAGES LIFEBELT IN THE PLANE SYDNEY, October 16. Miss Batten carries aTifebelt in the plane, but interviewed just before her departure she said: “If I go down in the sea I don’t want anyone . to fly out and look for me. I have chosen this flight and I am confident I can, make it, but I have no wish to imperil others, or cause trouble and expense to the country.” She has sufficient petrol to fly to New Zealand and half-way back again. She intends flying at a height of about 600 feet. " “TASMAN HOLDS NO TERRORS" SYDNEY, October 16. Miss Batten added in her farewell message: “Do not worry—Twill be in Auckland on time. The Tasman Sea holds no terrors for me. The Tasman is a little more than double the Timor Sea crossing, and I have flown that three times, so it should not be too bad.” Miss Batten carries sandwiches, a thermos flask of coffee, and a couple of oranges. Asked if the flight over the Tasman would be monotonous, Miss Batten pointed out that she would be kept busy attending to the fuel tanks, altitude, wind direction and drift, and writing up the log, which she says has kept her from going to sleep on many occasions. Discussing navigation, Miss Batten recalled that on the flight from West Africa to Brazil she was less than a mile off her course when she arrived at her destination. “So navigation holds no real terrors for me,” she ' said. , DEPARTURE FROM SYDNEY SYDNEY, October 16. Miss Jean Batten left Richmond aerodrome at 4.35 this morning on her last stage of her epic flight frdm London to Auckland. Her arrival in New Zealand will mark the first occasion of a flight from England to New Zealand. In a farewell message the aviatrix said; “If I succeed in reaching New Zealand in 10 hours. I will have created a record for the crossing, and frankly, I will be bitterly disappointed if I do not establish it.” - After a refreshing sleep Miss Batten was awakened by the Royal Australian Air Force officers at 3 o’clock this morning. She looked thoroughly fit and wore her now famous white flying suit. Heavily laden with petrol, the Percival Gull made a perfect take- 1 off after a run of 500 yards.between long lines of flares After circling the field in a farewell salute, Miss Batten headed east towards the rising sun, and in a few minutes the machine was out of sight and hearing. Hundreds of people witnessed the departure.