THE TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 29 May 1919, Page 3

THE TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

AMERICAN START.

ON FLIGHT TO AZORES.

By Telegraph—Press Assn.—-Copyright

(Received May 29, 8.60 a.m.)

NEW YORK, May 16. The Trcpassey Bay correspondent of the New York Times states that after an unsuccessful initial attempt to leave for the Azores on May 15, three United States naval seaplanes started on the transatlantic flight on the 16th a few minutes after 6 p.m. The mechanics worked' all night repairing one plane which had been damaged in the flight from Halifax to Trcpassey. The machines weighed 28,2001 b. each, fully loaded. They must travel 1540 miles in order to reach Ponta del Garda, Azores. It is expected to complete the trip in sixteen hours.—Aus.-N.55. Cable Assn.

AUSTRALIANS CO MAD

ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION

LONDON, May 27. London is becoming wildly excited as Hawker approaches. The enthixsiasm of the Australian troops is contagioxxs, and there is much speculation and much nervousness as to where it will all end

Hawker Tugl a triumphal night journey through Scotland. People gathered at the. stations, hoping for a glimpse of the aviators in the train. There was much bagpiping. At Edinburgh immense crowds gave an ovation to Hawker and Grieve. Hawker was carried shoulder high to a hotel, where ho breakfasted. Both men were heartily" farewelied on departing for England. There were many stirring scenes along the route through the English provinces. An escort of aeroplanes accompanied the train from Grantham.

Mewr.s, Pearce ad Fisher welcomed Hawker and Grieve at King’s Cross station. The "’Aero Club were obliged to limit the number of motor cars in the procession to 200. ’The police diverted all traffic from the route. Railvaymon have planned a fog signal welcome when tho airmen travel homo from the Aero Club.

Australian soldiers took complete charge of the reception at the station and gave a ynising reception. They peimitted the Mayor of St. Pancras and Mr. Pearce only a few moments, and then shouldered Hawker and Grieve. Windows and window-screens of several waiting cars were smashed by the eager onlookers. Many women fainted in the crush along the route The Australians were thoroughly good humoured; 200, hauling a long rope, dragged Hawker’s and Grieve’s motor car. preceded by a band. Everywhere there were scenes of the liveliest" enthusiasm, aeroplanes doing overhead stunts. Denso crowds gathered at tho Aero Club, where mounted police were peeping the passage clear. Mr. Fisher and a committee welcomed tlie aviators. Hawker, in a brief speech, minipfised his effort.. The success, such as it wass, depended, solely on the excellent machine. Grieve also spoko belittling his, share in tho adventure

When the avia tore, with Mrs. Hawker, appeared at the Aero Club windows they were wildly cheered. Hawker and his wife, in a. motor, escorted by mounted police, left for a private dinner party. Both aviators will be guests at a luncheon at tho Savoy Hotel on Wednesday.

An aerial gala haa been arranged to take place at Hendon, on Saturday and Sunday, in which Hawker and Grieve have promised to participate. The feeling is growing that the heroes should not bo permitted,to risk their lives doing stunts at Hendon. Grieve, interviewed, recalled the fact that lie served in the navy in Australian waters in 19014, and knew what an Australian welcome would bo. It was much more trying than the Atlantic flight. He had not contemplated a flight to Australia; the Atlantic was still tinconquored.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

No one knows exactly w*hat happened in the next few minutes after the train’s arrival. The Australians climbed on the top of the carriage, pulling lady friends after them. Then, amid piercing eooees and siging “Australia will be there,” Hawker was tarried to a motor oar, which the Australians had prepared. When it was found impossible to move this, Hawkflf crawled over the heads and shoulders of tho crowd in order to reach a policeman’s horse, v Hcli he rode to tho Aero Club. Arrived there. Hawker was lifted from, tho horse and borne by a burly policeman into the building. Grieve reached the club aboard a motor lorry. The only food tho aviators had during the flight was a .sandwich, a hair, of chocolate and several mips of hot coffee.

Hawker was very seasick when he descended to the surface of the ocean. The wireless installation proved useless. Otherwise, the filter getting rusty was tho only trouble.

Hawker states that it is a hundred to one ho will fly the Atlantic this summer.

Mr. Pearce, accompanied by Australian flying officers, welcomed and downed Hawker and Grieve with Australian hats. The Australians carried Hawker on shoulder to a car, and dragged it through the streets. Others carried Grieve into the street. They drove off together amid much cSieoring along a, crowded route to tho Aero Club. An extraordinary episode occurred when the procession jammed and the Australians started to carry Hawker on their shoulders. A bright spirit in the crowd suggested hoisting him to a constable’s horse. Tlris was immediately done, and Hawker .rode behind a constable for some time. Then the constable dismounted, and Hawker continued to lead the procession on horse-back, carrying a big bouquet of roses.

A similar welcome awaited hiyn at Kingstown, where the workmen 1 of the Sopwith Company dragged the motor car 1J miles. . ~ Hawker interviewel, said; “I am willing and eager to attempt the Atlantic again. It depends on the Sopwith Company. The flight can and will he accomplished very soon. Wo had bad luck. There was no physical strain. The machine and engine proved perfect. The fault was that we took too many precautions. The machine had been idle for a couple of months, and probably there was slight internal rusting, widen caused choking. I won’t hawo filters next time.” Hawker said he couldn’t understand why everybody thought they_ were lost. There wore as many ships in the iAt--1 antic witliout wireless as there .are with at. Hia chief anxiety was to. got

a message to his wife. The experience was valuable, especially in the matter of navigation. The topic of ifce hour is Hawker’s amazing reception. Hundreds of thousands of men and women gathered between King’s Cross and the i\orp Club to lionise the heroes. No ovation accorded the ICing or. general in living memory equalled Hawker’s: The size of the crowd and the impetuosity of the Australians made the carrying out of the programme impossible. All prearranged plans were swept aside. When the Higglers determined to take charge of the proceedings, word was passed round; “The Aussies must have him,” so Hawker was kidnapped immediately he appeared in the carriage door.—Aus.-N'.Z. Cable Assn. NEW YORK, May 28.

A dispatch from St. Johns states that the steamship Lake Charlottesville picked up parts of Hawker’s areoplanc and mails carried therein.

A FLIGHT TO AUSTRALIA

LONDON, May 27,

Lieuts. Kingsford Smith, Val Rendle and Cyril Haddocks, Australians, flying with two Rolls Royce engines, intend to start on Monday in the prize flight to Australia, via Turin, Brindisi, Alexandria, India and Borneo. The journey will bo divided into twelve sections. The machine’s capacity is 1200 miles. A DIRIGIBLE RECOVERED. (Received May 29, 8.60 a.m.) ST. JOHN’S, May 16. A United States destroyer has returned with the dirigible which was lost at sea.

PROJECTED LONG FLIGHT,

OF BIG BRITISH AIRSHIP.

(Received May 29, 10.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 17,

The Air Ministry contemplates'the super-airship R 34 shortly attempting a non-stop Atlantic flight front Ireland to Newfoundland, via the Azores, carrying sufficient fuel for the. round trip. It is pointed out that there is no hangar in America large enough to house the mon. ster airship.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.