Another Atlantic Flight Tragedy?

Sun (Auckland), Volume I, Issue 144, 8 September 1927, Page 1

Another Atlantic Flight Tragedy?

“OLD GLORY” MISSING ANOTHER Atlantic air tragedy seems likely from reports of the attempted flight of the monoplane, Old Glory, from Maine to Rome The plane, which was flown by Messrs. Lloyd Bertand and James de Witt Hill, sent out S O S. signals, and it is assumed that she had been forced down into the sea. Two Canard liners raced to the scene. The Transylvania reached the spot first r.nd searched a thirtymile area without finding any trace cf the monoplane.

By Cable. —Press Ass Reed. 9.1 a.m. NEW YORK. Wed. rpHE Transylvania reached the given position of the Old Glory and searched a 30-mile area unsuccessfully.—A. and N.Z.-Sun. Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Wed. John Harman, a journalist aboard the Transylvania, sent a radio message to the United Press Association: ‘-There is now every reason to believe that tTie Old Glory and her crew have been lost. “No word lias been received, nor any trace found of the missing plane since this morning, when an S.O.S. picked up in mid-Atlantic. Since the S.O.S. was received Captain Bone has been making a close search on the spot last heard from, but without result.” Reed. 9.0 a.m. NEW YORK. Tues. The monoplane Old Glory broadcast an S.O.S. early this morning. It is believed that she was forced down in the sea at a point between 700 and 900 miles eastward and slightly north of Newfoundland. The two Cunard liners Transylvania and Carmania swung off their courses in an endeavour to reach the airmen. The plane sent numerous messages reporting progress before the S.O.S. was sent out, but none was received after that, therefore there is scant hope that she is still in the arr. The Carmania’s position was about 170 miles from the plane when the distress cailL was received. The Transylvania was about 83 miles way. Both were expected to reach the spot before dark. Fokker, the builder of the plane, estimated that the Old Glory would keep afloat several hours with her tanks emptiedYesterday afternoon the machine was sighted passing ever Newfoundland at a speed of 100 miles an hour, and at midnight on Tuesday it was reported to have been seen 350 miles east of St. John’s. Earlier dispatches sent by wireless b) Mr'. Bertaud complained that Old Glory was flying heavily, but that was being remedied, as the supply of petrol was consumed. Mr. Philip Payne, a New York journalist, leaped aboard the plane as it left Old Orchard, and is being carried as a passenger.—-A. and N.Z.-Sun.

)ciation. — Copyright. hopped off for London this morning. The Royal Windsor arrived at 12.30 p.m. A message from New York states that a third attempt to fly to Windsor, England, will be commenced by Messrs. Duke Schiller and Phil Wood, who arrived litre at 12.30 p.m. from Portland, Main?. The airmen criginally took off from Windsor, Ontario, on the morning of September 1. They were forced to descend at St. John. Quebec. Leaving there on the following day they met unfavourable weather and landed at Portland. —A and N.Z.-Sun.