THE AMERICAN ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XLV, Issue 11847, 31 May 1919, Page 5

THE AMERICAN ATLANTIC FLIGHT.

A REAL EFFORT FOR SUCCESSFOUR MOTORS TO A PLANE. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph—Copyright. New York, May 17. Delayed.—The New iYork Times’ correspondent at Trepassy Bay, Newfoundland, states that the United States’ seaplanes which started on the trans-Atlantic Sight were each equipped with four Liberty twelve cylinder motors, developing 1600 horse power. Each plane carried 1700 gallons of petrol and was able to develop ninety miles an hour. The planes carried six men each, and measured 128 feet. Although not the largest machines in the world, they are considered the most powerful. The weight of petrol on each machine was 10, OOOlbs. They also carried OOOlbs. of lubricating oil. The planes were equipped with wireless with a range of 300 miles, enabling ■them to be in keen and constant touch with the United States warships, which patrolled the Atlantic from Trepassey to the Azores at intervals of 50 miles. “ A United Press correspondent says that twenty-one American destroyers patrolled the route of flight. ' The destroyer Melville wirelessed that No. 4 was 50 miles from Horta, Azores, at 8.10 a.m., Washington time, and landed at Horta at 9.30. During the whole flight, and at intervals of less than an hour, patrolling detroyers received wireless messages from the seaplanes. These messages were transmitted to Washington, where large assemblages of officials awaited them eagerly. The seaplanes were making a speed of 95 miles per hour during the first eight hours of the journey. No 4 developed engine trouble on the first leg of the journey, from Rockaway to Halifax, and required heavy at Tropassey before starting for the Azores. A GREAT SEND OFF. The New York Times’ Trepassey correspondent says he learns on good authority that if the seaplanes reach England they may try a flight back, in the event of the winds being favourable. The shores of Trepassey Bay fwere lined by thousands of natives, fishermen and British and American sailors, when the three seaplanes rose in the air, and the“harbour was gay with fishing smacks, small boats and British and American naval vessels. The planes manoeuvred for several minutes, then headed out seaward, the crowds cheering until the planes became specks in the sky. It was originally intended that each plane should carry five men, but Commander Tower decided to lessen the load of petrol by a hundred gallons, and increased the crews to six men, with telephone arrangements attached. Concentrated foods were carried in event of emergency. AMERICAN LONG PREPARATION. ENDEAVOUR TO CHART THE AIR. Mr Daniels announced that the Americans have been prepared for the past two years for the transAtlantic flight. There was no intention of competing against the! British. The American’s object is to chart a feasible air route between Europe and America. TIMING THE FLIGHT. The Navy Department announces that the corrected time of No. 1 from Trepassey to Horta was 15 hours 15 mins., and the distance 1300 miles. Commander Read piloted N.O. 4. A STARTLING EXPERIENCE. London, May 30. The Army airship R 34 had a startling experience during a trial trip. She lost her bearings in a fog and was forced to remain in the air 31 hours. Her crew |of 31 persons were exhausted through want of food. THE LAST LAP. New York, May 80. The United States airplane N. C. 4 has left Lisbon for Plymouth. LONG SECRET PREPARATIONS. ALL ARRANGED TO SMALLEST DETAIL. Received May 31, 9 a.m. New York, May 17. The New York’s World Washington correspondent states that the Navy Department revealed the contents of sealed orders, showing that the seaplanes’ flight was planned to the minutest details many months ago. Orders outline speed, equipment, route, crew ot the planes, manner in which the flight course would be patrolled by war vessels, wireless place of landing at the Azores, etc. Orders state that after the arrival at Azores the planes were to refill quickly, remain not more than a night, s'tart for Lifison, 900 miles, thence after a night’s stay to fly to Plymouth, England, 775 miles. DESCENT OF N. C. 4. London, May 30. N.O. 4 descended in ' Mondego River, owing to adverse “winds. 'lt is undamaged and expected to resume to-morrow.

HAWKER’S START. FAREWELL TO BAYNHAM. Received May 31, 9.40 a.m. New York, Mya 30. The New York Times’ St. John cor respondent states that Hawker’s machine weighed 6200 pounds, aud was so heavily laden that it was first believed she would not be able to rise. But, after racing over Mount Pearl field for a distance of three hundred yards, sue soared gracefully skyward. The few spectators who witnessed the flight cheered heartily and watched the machine circle about and manoeuvre into the wind and set its face to over the city\ thence over the Qni Divide, where it signalled “Farewell Raynham, ” and headed seaward. The marine singalman at the Oabot which surmounts the hill at the north entrance to St Johns harbour, signalled within ten minutes that the Sopwith was out of sight. When Raynham saw that Hawker had started he took the matter philosophically and said he could give the Sopwith two or three hours lead and still beat it because the Martinsyde could travel twenty miles an hour faster. THE DRAG OF WEIGHT. PYJAMAS LEFT BEHIND. Received May 31, 9.50 a.m. New York, May 19, Delayed.—Before leaving, Hawker said he had absolute confidence in his and navigator, Grieve, He asked Grieve if he could not dispense with his pyjamas in order to lighten the plane. When asked if he would be able to sleep during the voyage, Hawker replied, ‘ ‘We will have a long sleep at the end. ” Hawker estimated that they would have five hours sunlight, then starlight and moonlight. He anticipated that the trip would occupy nineteen hours and he believed he would be able to maintain a speed of 106 miles an hour after dropping the under carriage. RAYNHAM’S BAD LUCK. MACHINE CRASHES TO EARTH. A few minutes later than Hawker, Raynham and Morgan pushed their machine out of the hangar in the Qui Divide Field and started the engine and about an hour after Hawker’s departure Raynham was ready for a start. The machine rose a few feet, then fell, smashing the wings and body aud crumpling the under carriage and jarring the engine and fusilage. Expert airmen present declared that the machine will he unfit for further flying unless taken to England and repaired. About (ten thousand persons witnessed the accident. Morgan and Raynham were cut about the face, hut were able to walk unassisted. ACCOUNT OF THE AMERICAN JOURNEY. faii—n GUIDED BY DESTROYERS. Received May 31, 10 a.m. New York, May 19. Delayed.—Commander Read, describing the journey of N.O. 4 to the Azores, says he started the flight at an eight hundred feet, then rose to eighteen hundred feet He sighted each.destroyer owing to their brilliant illumination. After passing the sixteenth destroyer the airplane entered a fog and was compelled to rise to three thousand feet, the fog prevented continuing the flight direct to Ponta Delgada. £ ; The seaplane needed only slight repairs.