AT DERBY

Southland Times, Issue 20664, 20 April 1929, Page 7

AT DERBY

SOUTHERN CROSS’S CREW

CIVIC RECEPTION TO AIRMEN

INACCURACY OF MAPS

(United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.)

Sydney, April 19.

In spite of their gruelling experience on the mud flats the crew of the Southern Cross flew the machine to Derby in two hours arriving there at 3.15 yesterday. As soon as the 90 gallons of petrol and foodstuffs were transferred from the rescue planes the engines of the giant, monoplane were started with ease. The ground was then cleared of stones and small trees. The mud flats had dried considerably. ' Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and Flight-Lieutenant. Ulm got aboard. Messrs McWilliams and Litchfield were taken off in other planes to lighten the load on the Southern Cross, which quickly gathered speed and rose gracefully in about. 400 yards and flew over the Port George Mission.

The other planes followed at short intervals. All set out for Derby. The crew and the machine were in fine trim.

Kingsford Smith and Ulm intend to fly to Wyndham as soon as the necessary repairs are finisher! and then help in the search for Captain Anderson. At a civic reception later Kingsford Smith expressed the admiration of all for the courage of the West Australian pilots, Chator, Woods, Heath and O’Dea. Ulm drew attention, to the inaccuracy of the maps which, he said, had contributed largely to their forced stav at the point of landing, and explainer! the difficulty experienced in lighting fires through rain.— Australian Press Association.