TRANSATLANTIC FLYERS

Otago Witness, Issue 3867, 24 April 1928, Page 28

TRANSATLANTIC FLYERS

MAJOR FITZMAURICE’S STORY. ILL-OMEN AT THE START. OTTAWA, April 18. A United Press message from Clarke City states that superstition, which plays so large a part in the life of an Irishman, caused Major Fitzmaurice many uncomfortable moments as the Bremen winged her way across the Atlantic, but the courageous flyer revealed the belief that the charms he carried were potent enough to overcome the ill omen that actually crossed the path of the airmen as they left terra firma at Baldonnel. This was disclosed by’ the first extended interview that Major Fitzmaurice has given since reaching the Continent. He related the story upon his arrival here with Schiller after a hazardous trip from Natashquan in an effort to reach Murray Bay. “ When we started off from Baldonnel there was an ill omen, for just as the engine picked up speed we saw ahead a sheep wander on to the runway. We did not have enough speed to raise the monoplane into the air clear, but it bounced, and the tail of the machine hit the sheep. I presume this left a bloody trail along the runway to mark our passage, and it probably did some damage to our machine All the way across the Atlantic we could not help thinking of the narrow escape we had had from disaster, and we wondered whether the providence that had preserved us at the very start of our journey would carry us safely across the ocean.

“ Then we had such trouble with fog and storms that we nearly gave up hope. “ Sixty seconds before we saw the little island with its lighthouse we were cruising with practically all hope gone that we would land within reach of civilisation, but we determined to keep on until we had exhausted the last drop o f our petrol, and fortunately for ns we saw the little island, and came down safely ” Off Newfoundland the fliers had to discover the direction of the wind by smoke bombs. The oil fuel pine broke in a dense fog, but Major Fitzmaurice repaired it. Then the polar star appeared for a moment, showing the direction. Next the compass failed and they lost again their direction, which they could not pick up for hours. They occasionally took beef tea or orange When they landed they suffered slight bruises. Maior Fitzmaurice said that they were not cold, but ton frightened to eat.

In the light of his experience Ma’or Fitzmaurice ventured the oninion that other aviators who attempted the westward flight, and had never been heard of again, bad suffered the same terrors as th n Bremen’s crew

“T ■believe Cantain Hinchcliffe and the Hnn. Elsie Mackay may very possibly have crossed the ocean as we did. and encountered the same difficulties as we dif on approaching the Canadian coast, and mav have landed somewhere in the thick forest of Labrador.” The citizens of Clarke City did everything possible tn entertain Major Fitzmaurice and Schiller, who expect shortly to proceed to .Murray Bay to meet Miss Junkers and make definite plans of procedure.

GREETINGS FROM NEW YORK. NEW YORK. April 18. The mayor (Mr Walker) has received the following message from Baron Heunefeld : Tn the name of my comrades, Koehl and Fitzmaurice. I thank you, Mr Mayor, for your very kind telegram and vour offer. We hope to be able to land in a few davs with the Bremen at Mitchell Field, and then to thank you and the citizens of vour great city, and to bring you the greetings of our German and Irish peoples.”

WELCOME AT SEVEN ISLANDS. NEW YORK. April 18. The Bathe News ’plane has returned from Seven Islands, where Major Fitzmaurice was photographed and interviewed on his arrival with Schiller. Maior Fitzmaurice seemed puzzled when told of the public’s anxiety durino- the Bremen flight. Tie said: “Why so much disturbance? ” He grinned when told be had had “ the luck of the Irish ” The mayor of the village of Seven Islands headed the welcome. He said • “ Let me extend greetings and the freedom of our beautiful citv of Seven Islands. I suggest coffee and a snack of real Canadinn food.”

Major Fitzmaurice then entered the mayor’s dog sled to which a smart team was attached. He was wrapped up bv eager hauds in swathing robes. ' The mayor shouted “ Mush ' ” and Major Fitzmaurice waved hi s band as the tean - ' started on the three-mile trip to the village.

THE JUNKERS ’PLANE. MONTREAL, Anri] 18. lhe Junkers ’plane, which flew here from New York, left for Now York again with Mr Melchoir and Miss Junkers aboard. The latter’s sister, Herta, is still at Murray Bay. According to present Plans Melchoir will get a new propeller tor the Bremen and will return to Canada, but it is uncertain to what Point be will proceed thereafter. There is some suggestion that the Junkers ’plane might try a direct flight from New York to Greenely Island, but this is unconfirmed. t i ■> c mea ntime. before leaving Seven Islands for Murray Bay, Major Fitzmaurice stated that had the Bremen been undamaged it would have been possible for them to continue to another point for luet. He also indicated that he mav not wait for Ins German companions to reVL Fn x Euro ” e - but may take an early Boat back to Ireland.

DEFINITE WORD AT LAST. NEW YORK, April 18. Tiie Mayor has received the following mossage from Major Fitzmaurice at Clarke City:—“The information that I am on the way to New York is incorrect. I am on my way to Murray Bay to arrange for spare parts to repair the Bremen and conduct business on behalf of Captain Koehl and Baron Heunefeld. I arn returning to Greenelv to-morrow. Please correct wrong impression. Regards.— Fitzmaurice.”

NEW YORK STILL WAITING. OTTAWA, April 19. A Montreal message states that Fraulein Junker has confirmed the statement that the Bremen may leave Greenfly on Sunday. In a telephone message to the Junker Company, New York, she stated that a conversation with Major Fitzmaurice had convinced her that the Bremen could be put in shape with the equipment now on the way. She herself is planning to return to New York to take part in the flyers’ welcome.

In the meantime a reception seldom paralleled awaits the flyers when they reach Washington, which will possibly be on April 26. President Coolidge will receive them at White House shortly after their arrival, and the ’plane wiil be met on its way from New York by a squadron of army aeroplanes. x Messages of appreciation from President Hindenburg and Mr J. F. M’Neili (Governor-General of Irish Free State) thanking President Coolidge for his congratulations on the success of the flight have been made public. President Hindenburg said: “ I present my sincere thanks to you and the American people for the very cordial congratulations for the successful flight of the Bremen.” Mr M'Neill said : “ I appreciate your kind message to the Irish people of the splendid achievement of Major Fitzmaurice and his German comrades. May their heroism prove of lasting service to humanity, and by completing the aerial eononest of the Atlantic lead to even closer relations between" our countries.”

INCIDENT OF TIIE LANDING. NEW YORK, April 19. The North Germar Lloyd representa five has received a message from Baron Heunefeld stating that he expects to arrive in New York on Tuesday, the day on which the Mayor’s Reception Committee announced that it will officially open the programme to greet the flyers. It has been revealed that Major Fitz maurice saved Baron Heunefeld from drowning after the Bremen landed at Grcenely. Baron Heunefeld, while making his way from the machine in an exhausted condition, fell headlong into the water, and Major Fitzmaurice, despite the fact that he was partially stunned by the force of the landing, leaped to the rescue. The intense cold was already freezing Baron Heunefeld’s clothing, and he. was helpless. Captain Koehl and Major Fitzmaurice dragged him to the lighthouse, where he was able to dry out.

Major Fitzmaurice said to-day at Murray Bay: “We know now that we should have landed not on the reservoir, but on the ice in the bay. It was sft thick, and presented smooth stretches long enough for landing purposes. Had we come down there the damage to the Bremen would not have occurred, and we could have learned our position and taken off again.” PLANS FOR THE FUTURE. OTTAWA, April 29. If the present plans are carried out the Bremen will complete its flight New York, and after the receptions there and at Washington will cruise over Canada and the United States for about tv>u months, visiting nearly all the important cities Major Fitzmaurice will proceed to Greenely by a Ford ’plane, joining it as a passenger from Murray Bay. Afterwards the Bremen may return to Europe as it came, with Captain Koehl, Baron Heunefeld, and Major Fitzmaurice as the crew. There is a nossibility that the Bremen’s propeller shaft may be found bent, in which case it will be necessary to revise all plans for getting the flyers to New York. It is anticipated in that ev ®pt that a big Ford machine will be utilised.

MRS FITZMAURICE. LONDON, April 22. Mrs Fitzmaurice and her daughter joined the German liner Dresden at Queenstown for New York. She said, “I will not prevent my husband from flying back. Why should I ? He know s what he is doing.” F ran Kohl is a passenger by the same ship.