PAN-AMERICAN CLIPPER

Southland Times, Issue 23152, 19 March 1937, Page 6

PAN-AMERICAN CLIPPER

Pacific Flight Begun BOUND FOR NEW ZEALAND ARRANGEMENTS MADE AT AUCKLAND (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, March 18. A private cable received in Auckland this morning stated that the PanAmerican clipper had started from San Francisco for Auckland today, having been ceremoniously farewelled by dignitaries. Thousands of citizens watched the clipper pass over the Golden Gate. Arrangements to receive the clipper at the conclusion of her flight from San Francisco to Auckland are proceeding steadily, and the Auckland Harbour Board, the Auckland Electric Power Board and the traffic department of the city council were engaged today in discussing preparations. All the necessary work will be completed in ample time as it is not considered likely by Mr Harold Gatty, the representative of the company in New Zealand, that the machine will reach Auckland before the middle of next week. The temporary base for the clipper, between King’s Wharf and the Devonport vehicular ferry landing, has begun to take shape. The area has been fenced off, the moorings for the landingbarge have been laid, two powerful floodlights have been installed and massive bollards planted in the ground to take the mooring-ropes. Further conferences took place between representatives of the company’s staff at present in Auckland and officers of the interested local bodies, and the landing area was inspected by Mr Gatty, in company with Mr J. Tyler, city engineer, Mr C. Bland, superintendent of traffic and Mr W. R. Golden, traffic manager of the Auckland Harbour Board. Four launches are at the disposal of the company for use in connection with the arrival of the clipper, a speed boat from the Hobsonville air base, the harbour board launch and two privately-owned.craft. In the event of a night landing being necessary these boats, together with others, will be lined up and suitably illuminated to indicate to the commander of the clipper the clear runway in which to land. , , The nature of the reception to be accorded Captain Musick and his crew has not yet been decided, but it will necessarily be brief, as the airmen will be anxious to rest after their . long journey. It is likely that the chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board will receive the visitors and, that after a brief reply by Csptain Musick, they will be driven to their hotel. The arrangements for an adequate welcome to Auckland on behalf of the citizens are in the hands of the Mayor (Mr E C. Davis) The reception will probably take place on the day after the arrival of the clipper. PLANES ON WAY TO HONOLULU CAPTAIN MUSICK REPORTS PROGRESS (Received March 18, 10,50 p.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, March 18. A North American Newspaper Alliance copyright message by Captain Musick states: “An hour after the take-off we sighted a plane moving over the cloud floor aft; it was that of Mrs Putnam, who began her attempt to fly round the world shortly after we set out. As soon as she overtakes the Hawaii clipper it is arranged that we both advance our speed by 10 knots above the arbitary minimum set, to assure her a clear sky ahead on her long dash to Honolulu.

“The weather is clearing to the westward; high cumulus clouds are 12,000 ft overhead, with rain squalls north and south. The sun is a great fiery ball, ready to plunge into clouds on the horizon. Our navigation will then shift to the stars until dawn off Hawaii, at the end of the first 2400 miles of our flight to down under.”