IN THE AIR.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 16448, 31 May 1919, Page 3

IN THE AIR.

TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT. AMERICANS LEAVE LISBON. BOUND FOR PLYMOUTH. By Telegraph—Press Assn.—Copyright. NEW YORK, May 30. The United States airplane NC4 has left Lisbon for Plymouth, ABSTRACT OF SEALED ORDERS. (Received May 31, 8.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 17. . The. Washington correspondent states that tiie Navy Departmnet has revealed the contents of the sealed orders showing that the flight of the seaplanes was planned'in the minutest details many months ago. The orders outline the speed, equipment, route, crew of the planes, the manner which the course of the flight would he patrolled by war vessels, wireless arrangements, place of landing at the Azores, etc. The orders stated that, after arrival at the Azores the pianos were to re-fuel quickly, remain not more than a night, start for Lisbon (900 miles), thence after a night’s stay to fly to Plymouth, England (775 miles).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. A BIG BILL. FOR AMERICAN FLIGHT. (Received May 31, 8.60 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 18. A Trepassey correspondent estimates that the trans-Atlantic flight will cost the United Stated a million dollars, of which 50,000 dollars will be chargeable to research, 200,000 dollars to airplanes and equipment and the balance to the operations of destroyers.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. DETAILS ABOUT SEAPLANES. NEW YORK, May 17 (delayed). The New York Times’ correspondent at Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland, states that the two United States seaplanes which started the trans-Atlantic flight wore each equipped with four Liberty 12-cylinder motors, developing 16000 horse-power. Each plane carried 1700 gallons of petrol and was able to develop 90 miles an hour. The planes carried six men each, and measured 126 feet at the greatest length of tho planes. Although not the largest machines in the world they are considered the most powerful. Tho weight of petrol on each machine was 10,000 pounds. They also carried 900 pounds of lubricating oil. Tho planes wore equipped with wireless with a range of 3000 miles, enabling them to keep in constant touch with tho United States warships, which patrolled tho Atlantic from Trepassey to tho Azores at intervals of 50 miles. The United Press correspondent says that 21 American dostrovers patrolled the route of flight. Tho destroyer Melville wirelessed that No. 4 was 50 miles from Horta, Azores, at 8.10 a.m., Washington time, and landed at Horta at 9.30. During the whole flight and at intervals of less' than an hour the patrolling destroyers received wireless messages from the seaplanes. These messages were transmitted to Washington, where largo assemblages of officials awaited them eagerly. The planes wore making a speed of 95 miles an hour during the first eight hours of the journey. No. 4 developed engine trouble on the first leg of the journey from Rockaway to Halifax, and required heavy repairs at Trepassey before starting for tho Azores.

, The Navy Department announces that the corrected time of tho journey of the NC4 from Trepassey to Horta was 15 hours 15 minutes, and the distance 1200 miles. Commander Reid piloted the NC4.

Mr. Daniels, secretary to tho United States Navy, states that tho Americans have been preparing for the past two years for tho trans-Atlantic flight. There was no intention of competing against the British. America’s object is to chart a feasible air route h«tw-cen Britain and % America.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

STARTING OF AMERICANS. NEW YORK, May 27. The New York Times’ Trepassey correspondent says he learns on good authority that if the seaplanes reach England they may try the flight back in the ©vent of winds being favourable. The shores of Trepassey Bay were lined by thousands of Natives, fishermen, and British and American sailors when the three seaplanes rose in the and the harbour was also gay with fishing smacks, small bopts, and British and American naval vessels. The planes manoeuvred for several minutes and j then headed out to sea, the crowds ; cheering till the planes became specks in I the sky. % { It was originally intended that each j plane should carry five men, but Com- ! mander Tower decided to lessen the load j of petrol by 100 gallons and increase the crews to six men, who wore leather suits and helmets with telephone ar- | rangements attached. Concentrated j foods were carried in the event of emergency. 1

AIRSHIP LOST IN A FOG. LONDON, May 30. The army airship R 34 had a startling experience during her trial trip. She lost her bearings in the fog and was forced to remain in the air for 21 hours. The crew of 31 persons were exhausted through the want of food. AMERICAN SEAPLANE. COMPELLED TO DESCEND. (Received May 31, 9.10 a.m.) LONDON, May 30. A wireless message which has been received states that NO 4 was compelled to descend at Mondego, 100 miles north of Lisbon Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NEWFOUNDLAND TO THE AZORES A SEAPLANE FLIGHT. (Received May 31, 9.50 a.m.) NEW YORK, May 19. Commander Read, describing the journey of NC 4 to the Azores, says he started the flight at an altitude of 800 feet, and then rose to 1800 feet. He sighted each destroyer owing to their brilliant illumination. After passing the 16th destroyer tho airplane entered a fog and was compelled to rise to 3000 feet. The fog prevented continuing the flight direct to Ponta del Garda. The seaplane needed only Blight repairs.