MISSING FLYERS

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 19371, 8 July 1937, Page 15

MISSING FLYERS

SHIPS’ QUEST FRUITLESS MORE SIGNALS REPORTED RECEPTION BY AMATEURS FAINT VOICES PICKED UP (Elec. Tul. Copyricht—United Pross Assn.) (Reed. July 7, 3 p.m.) NEW YORK. July 6. A San Francisco message states that during the early afternoon the coastguard cutter Itasca reported that no results had up till then been achieved in the search for Mrs. Amelia Earhart Putnam and her co-flyer, Captain F. J. Noonan, who are believed to have been forced clown in the vicinity of Howland Island while en route from Lae, New Guinea, on their round-the-world flight which started eastward from Miami, on June 1. Reports by amateurs giving messages ostensibly from the flyers continued during the morning. Mr. Putnam and his advisers are placing most credence on an Oakland operator’s message in which a faded voice repeated “281, north Howland,” adding’ "Cannot hold much longer. Drifting slowly, north-east. We are above the water. Motor sinking. Water very wet."

The naval authorities, acting at Mr. Putnam’s request ordered the Colorado to change her course and the vessel headed for Winslow Banks, a cluster of treacherous reefs 200 miles south of Howland. • The vessel was approximately 500 miles away at 3 p.m., San Francisco time. The Colorado, proccding under forced draught, expects to'reach the Winslow Banks at 6.30 to-morrow evening, and will immediately catapult three aeroplanes to circle widely in the search. If this is without result, the Colorado will then proceed to the area now being searched by the Itasca and the Swan.

The Lexington is due at Honolulu for refuelling to-morrow. On the basis of the present plans there will be at least 11 vessels in the Howland area for the hunt during the weekend.