AERIAL TRIUMPH

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 16623, 16 April 1928, Page 7

AERIAL TRIUMPH

ATLANTIC CROSSING GERMAN PLANE'S SUCCESS FORCED DOWN ON COAST WONDERFUL ACHIEVEMENT (Elec. Tel. Copyright-United Press Assn.) (Australian ami N.Z. Press Association.) NEW YORK, April 13. Confirmation of the safe landing of the Bremen at Greenley Island, Labrador, was received by a wireless message to tho North German Lloyd office from Baron Von Huhnefeld, one of t<he crew, as follows:---".Made safe intermediate landing on Greenley Island necessitated by lack of fuel and strong headwinds encountered, on the way."

With the possible exception ,of Col. Charles Lindbergh's flight to Paris, no aviation event has so stirred this city and tho rest of the country as the Bremen hop, apart from thousands crowding Mitchell Field in expectation of the fliers' arrival. .Such news as was available throughout the night and day was broadcast by radio. The newspaper offices received thousands of messages of inquiry, and even at this late hour it is difficult to make telephone connection with any metropolitan journal duo to the continuous flow of requests for information. The fliers' safety is now apparently assured, and messages of felicitation are being sent to them and to Europe, the British war veterans here being the first to wireless congratulations to Commandant Fitzmauricc, and Commander Byrd cabling congratulations to tho German nation. There is a complete lack of details as ,to the manner of, and the reason for, landing on Greenley Island. ISLAND ICEBOUND Tho calculations made here indicate that the distance between the point of departure and the landing of the plane is 2125 miles, although the machine probably flow further, due to fog. Tho flight consumed 34 hours 32 minutes. Wind and not compass variation, is believed to have been the chief contributing factor which threw the ship off her course, a side-wind probably taking them further and further north every hour after departure. The New York Times received a message from Halifax radio station stating that the Canadian press and Canadian Pacific Railways confirmed the landing of .the Bremen on Greenley Island. Tho machine is undamaged and tho crew is safe. The New York correspondent of the Ullstin Agency of Berlin has just wirelcssly telephoned his proprietors the following despatch: "All the circumstances indicate that the report that the Bremen landed at Greenley Island is true. I am trying to get confirmation by wireless, and as soon as if: is obtained a Junkers airplane, the only one of its kind in the United States, and which has been kept here as a sample machine, will probably try to reach there, as no other means of getting to the,island quickly exists. Greenley Island is heavily icebound, and trading vessels will probably not venture into northern waters for a month. The only other posibility is sending dog sledge teams from Quebec." ONLY SLIGHTLY DAMAGED

Heir Henry Schopzel, North" German Lloyd representative, sent the following message to Baron von Huhncfcld: "In view of the reported damage and on account of lack of fuel, your machine, the Junker Fl 3, will bo sent to you to continue flight." There are conflicting reports concerning the time of landing. Furthermore, "" it is now stated that the machine is only slightly damaged, and that the aviators arc uninjured, EJt'orts arc being made to secure an airplane equipped with skis at Boston or Quebec, in an effort .to reach the fliers. . It is likely they will be brought to New York within the course of the next few days. There is some belief that if the Bremen is not too seriously damaged she may be able to continue from Grcenley Island to New York. The remoteness of Grcenley Island, on which the aviators landed, is emphasised by the delay which occurred in the word of their safety reaching the outside world. The messengers had to traverse 20 miles between the island and the radio station either on foot or by dog .team over the ice.

LOST IN A TOG MEN IN GOOD CONDITION ASSISTANCE ON THE WAY (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.; QUEBEC, April 14. The first message detailing the flight stated that the Bremen, wandering about the skies, was lost in a dense fog for four hours, and was forced to land at fi.3o Eastern standard time. The machine was damaged, which possibly will delay her flight to New York for some days. Food and shelted are obtainable. The Government icebreaker Montcalm left the Gulf of St. Lawrence today under forced steam for Point Amour, Labrador, to bring the airmen to Canada on Sunday or Monday. Two Canadian planes are leaving today or to-morrow to rescue the airmen. The first definite news from the fliers says the plane is so badly damaged tliat they are unable to continue the flight for several days. The airmen are in good condition.

CANADIAN CONGRATULATIONS FLIERS WELL CARED FOR OTTAWA, April 14. The Prime Minister sent a telegram of congratulation upon the safe arrival of the German airmen on Canadian terirlory. All business was held up while the news was read. Colonel Balston announced in Parliament that the Bremen was forced down in a snowstorm on Grcenley Island, where the lighthouse was situated. He said the fliers would be well cared for by the lighthouse employees.

ENGLAND'S ANXIOUS WAIT DESPAIR TO JUBILATION MYSTERIOUS RUMORS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.) LONDON. April M, Every Atlantic flight has been responsible for an extraordinary series of circumstantial reports, unfortunate ly without foundation, but watching

the progress of .the Bremen from London was thrilling in the extreme. When she disappeared from Ireland on Thursday morning absolutely no word was received in England until 4.10 on Saturday afternoon, approximately 35 hours after the start.

After the evening papers publishes the fact that it was feared another tragedy had happened, an urgent message was received from New Y.ork stating that the Bremen passed over King's Port, Nova Scotia, at 3.45 G.M.T., the position and time correspondingly approximate with where the plane should be. Believing it. was merely another rumor small attention was paid to it, but in the succeeding hour camo message upon message from various centres along the American coast.

Tho Bremen was seen and heard by several. It was reported that she was flying so high that she was a mere speck in tho sky. In every case the time and position were approximately right. The reports aroused widespread interest a' thrilling climax The climax came at night. There was a thrilling anticipation when by the news agency tape machines at 9.55 the following message was received: "Direct wireless .telephone message from New York to Berlin announces the arrival of Vio Bremen at Mitchell Field, New York, three-quarters of an hour ago. An enormous crowd greeted the fliers. Bands played tho German and American national anthems as the machine landed." Then followed a vain wait for direct confirmation from New York. An hour passed without result, when came the stunning announcement that each and every message was without foundation. The effect in Berlin was electrical. Earlier in tho day when the machine was overdue at Newfoundland German papers published the gloomiest series of circumstantial reports. Towards evening they transformed Berlin into a city of wild joy. An uncontrollable crowd seized newspapers and rushed to the cafes, wildly proclaiming the Atlantic victory. Thereafter, a second report definitely announced that tho Bremen had crossed tho Atlantic at 4 o'clock G.M.T. and was duo at New York at 8 p.m. 1 The cruel wireless telephone rumor is thus far unaccounted for, but is attributed to New York irresponsible* aiming to set doubts at rest. Tho Germans gave themselves over to unrestrained rejoicings. Tho scenes were reminiscent of Paris on the occasion of the false Nungesser-Coli rumor. Crowds stormed Lieut Koehl's homo, his wife's faco beaming with delight. She said, "I am overjoyed. I always knew he would win through, and I will .tell him so presently when I speak to him over the Atlantic telephone."

Even tho broadcast stations sent out vivid descriptions of the landing, and tho welcome news was also spread by thousands of loud speakers in parks and open places, but .tho joy was turned to anger on realisation that the reports were without foundation. ODDS AGAINST SUCCESS The Daily Express' aviation correspondent reveals that Commander Fitzmaurice, on tho night before departure, said to him: "I don't think there is n sporting chance." Nevertheless, ho was desperately keen. Ho knew odds were against success, but he went into the adventure with his eyes open.. He added: "For a decent chance wc want three engines and 60 hours' fuel and wireless. Personally, I think navigation will be the chief causo of our failure. There is nothing to go on when one is flying uncharted seas against the rotation of tho earth. Nobody knows what magnetic effect this will have on tho instruments." Fitzmaurico scoffed at the idea that paraffin oil would avoid tho peril of ico on the wings, saying it would all be evaporated before they left .the Irish coast. A noted cross-Channel pilot advanced tho theory that magnetic influences might so disturb instruments that even tho altimeter might be so affected as to register thousands of feet high when actually flying close to the sea. Mrs Hinchcliffe said Capt. Hinchcliffe told her, before he was starting on his fatal flight, that he might havo to strike in a north-westerly -direction. This is exactly what happened to tho Bremen. Fifty miles to the north of Greenley Island lies the desolate Eskimo country, where it is likely Captain Hinchcliffe landed. "If, as I expect," she said, "the Eskimos arc taking care of him I will not resign hope until mid-June, when the melting snows will enable him to communicate with us." Col. Win. Sempill, President of the Royal Aeronautical Society, while warmly congratulating the fliers and admiring their pluck, initiative and skill, says they must not be led away to believe tho day of frequent crossings of tho Atlantic in cither, direction is necessarily nearer. Personally ho is inclined to the view that tho Atlantic air service will only be mado practicable by airship. Though aeroplanes arc not ruled out, flying boats must be used to ensure safety and regularity. Sir Samuel Hoaro, Air,Minister, and the German Ambassador at London, sent congratulatory messages to Mr. Cosgravc on tho success of tho flight.

TREE STATE JUBILANT COMMANDER FITZMAURICE'S PART A REGULAR DARE-DEVIL (Elce. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.! DUBLIN, April 14. The Free State is jubilant at tho Bremen's success. After a night of anxiety Mrs Fitzmaurice was informed at 2 o'clock on Saturday morning that her husband was safe, and she expressed deep thankfulness. Mrs Fitzmaurice was overcome by emotion on hearing the news of tho safe arrival of her husband. She said ho had achieved his life's ambition, as ho had talked for 10 years of flying tho Atlantic, "but lie will do no more stunt flying if I can stop him. I have not slept since my husband left," she added. Tho Governor-General, Mr. McNeill, and Mr, Cosgravc, issued a statement praising the achievement, and expressing gratification that an Irishman was associated with the venture. The Civic Guard and the Free State Army jointly pay tribute to tho success of the combination of Gorman thoroughness and Irish co'ifage. John Rodfern, i linotype operator, father-in-law oi Commandant Fitzmaurice, says Fitzmaurice is a regular dare-devil, typical of the dashing good humored Irishman. His mar-

riage was a real love affair, Mr. Redfern's daughter was only 10 years of ago when she mot Fitzmaurice, who joined the British army when only .15. He served in France with the 17th Lancers, and the West Kcnts. "Unknown to each other, Fitzmaurice and t," said Mr. Redforn, "were in the same trench on the Sommc in 1910. Fitzmaurice later joined the Air Force and earned tho reputation of a daring pilot. He wns one of the party selected to raid Berlin in 1918, but 1 the project was cancelled by the armistice. He joined the Free State Air Force in 1921."

THE AVIATORS' RELATIVES GERMANY'S HAPPIEST WOMEN EX-KAISER'S CONGRATULATIONS. (Elcc. Tel. Copyright—United Press Assn.) (Australian and N.Z. Press Association.' BERLIN', April .14. The happiest women in Germany are Baron Von Huhncf eld's aged mother and Lieut. Koehl's young wife. Cheering crowds surrounded their houses all day long. The former repeatedly fame on to the porch, over which was nailed a gilded horseshoe, and acknowledged the acclamations. The ex-Kaiser cabled congratulations' to the aviators, paying a special tribute to the German aeroplane industry, which, though gagged, Was able to construct a machine capable of performing such a feat.