PAN-AMERICAN CLIPPER

Southland Times, Issue 23165, 5 April 1937, Page 6

PAN-AMERICAN CLIPPER

Departure For Pago Pago THOUSANDS AT THE WATERFRONT SCENES IN THE EARLY MORNING (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 4. Predictions that the early morning departure of the Pan-American Clipper would provide a spectacle unprecedented in New Zealand aviation were amply -fulfilled. Even after the disappointment of Saturday thousands gathered at the waterfront before dawn and saw the giant silver craft sweep from the water in Rangitoto channel, circle the city like a giant irridescent dragonfly, and then speed northward into the clouds over Hauraki Gulf. Crowds began to arrive at the waterfront before midnight and, as the hours passed, there was a constant stream of cars, necessitating the posting of several traffic officers to direct parking. Many of the spectators arrived in evening dress, ■ and it was obvious that cabaret and night club parties had been carried on cheerfully so that their members could fill in the time before the Clipper’s departure. There was a medley of radio music from motor-cars, and occasional groups were gathered round young men with guitars and banjos. Shortly after three o’clock a launch and a dinghy fussed up under the bulk of the flying boat and, by the glare of strong lights, slipped the craft from her moorings. A few minutes later the thousands watching saw the threebladed screw of the outboard starboard motor jerk into activity. Soon the three other propellers were turning over and then the Clipper, swinging out from the bay, followed her pilot launch down the harbour. A few minutes after four o’clock a green Verey light was fired from the pilot launch. In the distance the navigation lights on the wings of the Clipper could be seen to swing round, and the answering green flare from the cockpit picked out the flying boat’s position. Seagulls were quarrelling noisily round Orakei wharf, but suddenly the roar of the Clipper’s engines coming across the five miles of water broke through their strident voices. The lights of the Clipper could be seen to move down the runway, gathering speed almost incredibly, and then the giant craft was off, a series of lights showing up against the dull mass of Rangitoto. 'The Clipper turned. Gradually she gained height and circled over the city and the triumphant symphony of power and speed drew many to the windows and balconies to see her pass. Banking gently to the right, and at a height of about 1500 feet she flashed through the sky in the direction of Devonport, streamers of flame showing from her exhausts. Then she turned again, and all that could be seen was a line of lights and exhaust flames, growing fainter and fainter, until in less than five minutes they disappeared into the cloudy darkness. MACHINE REACHES PAGO PAGO AN UNEVENTFUL FLIGHT (United Press Association) AUCKLAND, April 4. Constant communication between the Pan-American Airways Clipper and the temporary headquarters of PanAmerican Airways in Auckland was maintained by radio. The reports showed that it was an uneventful flight from the take-off at 4.17 a.m. to the landing at Pago Pago at 5.11 p.m. New Zealand time. There was not a single event of note reported. Varying weather was recorded, but for the most part good progress was made at about 9000 feet between two layers of clouds. A report at six o’clock showed the craft to have flown 240 nautical miles. Her ground speed had decreased from 145 to 120 knots at 7000 feet. Showers were encountered three and a-half hours later When 570 nautical miles had been covered the ground speed was still 120 knots and conditions were cloudy. The 180th meridan was passed and the Clipper had passed from Sunday back to Saturday. By noon she was 720 nautical miles along the course and her ground speed had fallen to 100 knots. The velocity of the wind was 30 knots. The Clipper passed over Eua Island, in the Tongan Group, at one o’clock. Only 225 nautical miles remained to be covered at three o’clock. The Clipper is expected to leave Pago Pago for Kingman Reef at dawn tomorrow and reach her destination early in the afternoon. AIR MAIL SERVICE COMMENT BY POSTMASTERGENERAL (United Press Association) WELLINGTON, April 3. An air mail service across the Pacific to America becomes an early possibility because of the successful exploratory visit to New Zealand of the Pan-Ameri-can Clipper. The Postmaster-General (the Hon. F. Jones), questioned today, stated that naturally the Post Office will utilize every efficient means of rapid mail transport, and no doubt in due course arrangements would be made for an air mail service on the Pacific route, using the American planes if a regular schedule were guaranteed. Asked whether New Zealand would be prepared to subsidize the PanAmerican Airways for mail purposes, Mr Jones stated that the financial arrangements had not been discussed, but seemingly, if arranged, it would be on a poundage basis.