DARING SEA TRIP

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1042, 5 August 1930, Page 14

DARING SEA TRIP

SCOTLAND TO AUSTRALIA BY MOTOR-BOAT YOUNG ENGLISHMAN’S PLAN From Scotland to Australia and back in a motor-boat, a distance of 20,000 miles. This is the plan of Mr. S. J. Walker, of Birmingham, England, who has been inspired by the flight of Miss Amy Johnson. His object is to prove the reliability of a type of engine of British make that runs on British-produced fuel, paraffin Mr. Walker was born at Oldbury and was educated at West Bromwich Ife went to sea, and in the mercantile marine attained the position of senior quartermaster. lie sailed in all kinds of craft—Orient Line mail steamers, British tankers and tramps. He emigrated to Australia, where be was associated with garage man agement and had opportunities for pursuing his bent for motor-boats; in fact, at one time he held a speed record. He returned to England in November, 1928, and since then ha 3 been studying navigation and all those essential elements for the successful completion of an enterprise on which he has set his heart. At present, he says, Australia is absolutely inundated with American products, and he sees great possibili ties in proving the reliability of the petrol-paraffin engine as a marine unit. “FAIR GO” FOR BRITAIN The British have not been given a “fair go” so far, he argues, and he wants to secure an open market tor the cheaper product, which will enable the working man to have a small motor-boat, with all the interest of the water, Just as the motorist enjoys the open road. The boat will be built at Glasgow and will be 38ft x Sft, and the engine, which will also be supplied by a firna of that city, will be 15.22 b.h.p., and will be an all-round standard product in order to prove the reliability of British manufacture. The frail craft will draw but two feet of water, the only deviation from standard pattern being in regard to the oil tanks. It will be realised that ror such a long “hop” as that from Aden to Bombay—l,6s4 miles—there will have to be special provision in this regard. Mr. Walker's companion will be Mr. Edward Howell, of 69 Albert Road, Leyton. London, a searfarling man and an old friend. It Is possible that a third person will be taken aboard —a youth, provided that the necessary staying powers can be assured It will be realised that to tackle a job of tills nature the powers of endurance and resistance to fatigue of those in t'-ie boat will be tested very fully. FOLLOWING “JOHNNY"

To some extent it is intended to follow the route taken by Miss Amy Johnson in her flight. The start will be made from Glasgow, with possibly a call at London, and then on to Gibraltar on through the seaports until Port Darwin is reached. Then an interesting itinerary is mapped out. The fuel capacity of the boat is 400 gallons, and for the biggest “hop” it is computed that 2SO to 350 gallons will be required. fir. Walker has made the trip in other ways. It usually occupies three months and seven days by mall steamer. He does not hazard a guess as to how long he will be on “out and home” voyage. But of his ability n do it he has not the least doubt. The distance record has been held by the United States for more than 18 years. Nothing like the exploit which Mr. Walker is to attempt has ever been tried. He is a young man of 36 with the agility of a follower of the sea. and the eyes of an explorer He lays no claim to being heroic and he does not want his enterprise to be regarded as a hazardous exploit He claims that it is scientifically planned from A to Z, and he has every confidence that it will bring distinction to Birmingham and Its environs. Personal ambitions are secondary to Mr. Walkerts burning enthusiasm to prove the reliability of a British en gins running on British fuel Mr. Walker will have the sinceres* wishes for a succe.-sful voyage from all men who “go down to the sea in ships.” The whole circumstances of the trip will appeal to a wide public which loves adventure and appreciates it in others.