FOURTH CROSSING OF TASMAN

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVII, Issue 19450, 27 March 1933, Page 8

FOURTH CROSSING OF TASMAN

FLIGHT OF SOUTHERN CROSS ENTHUSIASTIC RECEPTION AT MASCOT United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright (Received March 26, 11.0 p.m.) SYDNEY, March 26. A huge crowd assembled at Mascot and gave the Southern Cross a wonderful welcome, as the ’plane came to rest at 5.15 p.m. A large number of ’planes went out from the shore and escorted the Southern Cross to the ’drome. Groping Through Clouds. “Smithy” had been groping his way since 3.36, through low-lying clouds. Most of the afternoon visibility at times was very poor. He was in frequent communication by wireless, getting information regarding the weather. As the coast was approached he had difficulty in picking up the marks. He came in over the southeastern suburbs. Relatives of the airmen were at the ’drome to greet them, and the Mayor of Mascot extended warm congratulations on a notable performance. Wonderful Reception. Representatives of various official and other organisations were also present, but the crowd was so large and so enthusiastic that little formality could be observed. Thousands, wuldly cheering, swarmed round the ’plane and the airmen found the task of getting out of the aerodrome more arduous than the flight across the Tasman. Record Time for Flight. “Smithy” dismisses the flight briefly as an easy one. Having the advantage of a following wind, good time was made, the journey taking 13 hours 40 minutes. When the airman started to move from the ’plane to the clubhouse, the crowd took charge and fairly mobbed “Smithy.” Three policemen carried him to a friend’s house some distance away, crossing two fences, the second of which was of barbed wire, and “Smithy’s” leg was rather badly torn. Excited spectators, meantime, crowded round the ’plane and pushed a number of holes through the fabric.

THE TAKE-OFF.

NO CEREMONY, NO FUSS. By TeleeraDh—Press Association KAITAIA, March 26. In the pale light of dawn, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, at the controls his “old bus” the Southern Cross, took off from Hukatere, on the Ninety Mile Beach, this morning, once again to subdue the Tasman which he had already conquered thrice. There was no ceremony and no fuss and after a few quiet farewells, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, followed by Captain Taylor, and Messrs Stannage, Pethybridge, and McKay, stepped into the Southern Cross, the engines of which ticked over as they were warmed up. After running about three-quarters of an hour, the engines finally were inspected, and without any more ado, punctually at 5.30, the chocks were pulled away, and the giant monoplane taxied out to the runway down the beach. The engines roared, and away she sped on the start of the long and adventurous voyage. There was one breathless moment at the start of the run when the plane lurched badly, and sent up a huge shower of spray, but she sped on, and was soon lost in the mist and drizzle which hung over the beach, and then away in the south she reappeared a tiny speck, difficult to distinguish against the leaden sky. She was barely 100 feet above the sea, but she was rising steadily. Visibility was not good, and in a very short time the dot had disappeared. Kingsford Smith had left New Zealand, and his next stop was Australia. The ’plane carried sufficient petrol for 22 hours flying, but it was hoped to make the trip under the favourable weather conditions reported in about 17 hours. Before leaving, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith gave a farewell message of thanks to all the people of New Zealand who, he said, had shown him an abundance of hospitality and support, and as for goodwill, he added: “We have had so many expressions that if there were one for every mile we would overshoot Australia.” THRILL FOR SPECTATORS AT PAGEANT. By TelegraDh—Press Association AUCKLAND, March 25. The Southern Cross, when en route from New Plymouth to Ninety Mile Beach, flew over Auckland city at 2.20 o'clock. After thrilling a crowd of spectators at Mangere aerodrome, where a North Island air pageant was in progress, the big ’plane swooped low down over the ground, then soared away to the north.

MESSAGES FROM ’PLANE

TABLOID STORY OF FLIGHT. By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, March 26. Progress messages from the Southern Cross were received as follows: At 5.25 a.m. on a cold, light murky dawn, the Southern Cross’s engines roared into life, and “Smithy” made his usual perfect take-off. At 5.30 a.m.—Smooth. Airship climbing steadily. The crew are fit after a good night’s sleep. Homeward bound and happy. Weather reports are favourable most of the way. 6.21 a.m.—The weather has cleared, with the growing light. All the horizon is visible. A crisp s.e. wind helps us along. Provided this continues we should cross in record time. Passed through rain squall ten minutes ago, but it is clear now. The steady drum of the motors is music to us all.

6.28. —Taylor has just “shot” the sun as it peeped through the clouds. He and Sir Charles are busy plotting our position, while Pethybridge is doing the controlling and helping the old machine on her way. It is not easy work piloting a big machine like this when so overloaded. Sir Charles roughly estimates the speed at 115 miles per hour, and if this keeps up we would be home at about three p.m. Sydney time, but that is more than we can hope for. We expect to strike northerlies in the centre and westerlies on the New South W&les coast.

6.30 a.m.—The wind is S.E. Course steered, 249 degrees; drift ten degrees; speed 120 m.p.h. Our position is latitude 24.57, south longitude 171.30 east. 7.0 a.m.—From Pilot Pethybridge: “Helping ‘Smithy’ with piloting now, and priding myself on the even roar of the three Whirlwinds. In running up before leaving one plug was fouled, but cleared itself. The old stub exhausts are noisy, but they take nothing from the airspeed as did the overwing exhausts. 7.20 a.m.—Still niaking excellent progress westward. Nearly two hours out, and a fresh S.E. wind still with us. The sky is completely clouded, but visibility is excellent. A slight N.E. roll below, and whitecaps from the S.E. It is hard to realise one is aboard an aeroplane on an ocean flight. It looks more like a jam factory, with huge tanks, and masses of gear strewn about.

9.5 a.m.—The following wind has decreased to zero. Taylor obtained sights a few minutes ago and is now plotting alteration of the course for lessened drift. Sunshine now, with a few clouds.

9.10 a.m.—“Hungry seems to be my middle name. Just had an enormous feed (I've already had three breakfasts). Pethybridge at the controls.”

10.40 a.m.—“Speed average to date 108 statute miles per hour. Position at 9.58 a.m. New Zealand standard time —longitude 164.52 east, latitude 34.32 south. Excellent visibility with clear skies and a light E.N.E. breeze. Cheerio. Kingsford Smith.” 11.30 a.m.—Just passed the S.S. Wanganella at 11 a.m., but did not see her. Received weather reports from the Marama, Wanganella, and Monowai. Wind still north-east helping us. Shall soon be half-way. Tony is pumping petrol into the gravity tanks. Now running through haze, but can see clear sky ahead. • 12.10 a.m.—At noon (our time) Sir Charles will take the ’plane to within fifty feet of the water, so that Taylor can use the true horizon for his noon sight, which will give him our definite position and give us some idea of the arrival time. So far the weather predictions have become marvellously accurate. If the wind holds, we should be in Sydney between four and five p.m. Australian time. 12.38 p.m.—“Most amusing. I went out of the wireless room for a moment to get our position, and two celotex floorboards resting on their edge fell down and jammed the door shut, so that I could not get back. It looked upsetting for a time, but I managed to slide a saw through a crack in the door and shift the boards. Taylor is now in the radio room shooting the meridian altitude. The saw is carried for the cutting off of the wings in case of a forced landing on water.” 12.50.—Had to reel in for twenty minutes whilst the machine was right down to the water. Taylor got four sights. He was lucky too, as the sun is now obscured by heavy rain clouds. Drizzling rain to port, and clear to starboard. A light wind is right behind us now. Our luck is in.” I.4B.—The noon position was 34.51 south, 159.40 East; speed 85 knots; true course 278 degrees. The sun is obscured with haze, but weather is calm. In communication with the Monowai. 3.20.—“ We were 260 nautical miles from land. That makes us about two hundred miles away. We had hoped we would see the Monowai, but it does not look like it now. 3.50 p.m.—“Everything running perfectly. Calm and overcast. Should sight land in another forty minutes. Getting a tiny bit tired of the continual roar.

Rain squalls on the far horizon to port.” At 4 pm. a message came from the 'plane:—“Now fresh southerly wind, considerable drift, rain squalls and bumps. The horizon is obscured ahead, and will delay us a little. A quiet sea running, now getting worse every minute.” FOURTH SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT. I SPLENDID TIME RECORDED. UNEVENTFUL TRIP. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith, accompanied by Captain P. G. Taylor (copilot), Messrs S. J. W. Stannage (wireless operator), T. Petheybridge (a member of Sir Charles’s ground staff), and Mr 11. M. Mackay (governing-director of N.Z. Airways, Ltd.) yesterday made his fourth successful crossing of the Tasman. Ideal conditions prevailed practically throughout the trip, which occupied 13 hours 10 minutes—the fastest time yet recorded by the Southern Cross. During practically the whole flight, the ’plane was in wireless communication with either New Zealand or Australia, and on occasions members of the crew were heard speaking over the wireless telephone. At times the speech was quite good, but the voices were frequently drowned by the roar of the engines, or obscured by unfavourable conditions. Well on in the afternoon, Sir Charles was heard speaking to Sydney, and he expressed the hope that Lady Kingsford Smith had some clean clothes ready for him, as he was dirty and very tired. He also expressed grateful thanks to the people of the Dominion for the kindness extended to him during his visit.

Early Start. . in the murky dawn ,the giant monoplane left Ninety Mile Beach on its fourth trip across the Tasman. Sir ' Charles made a perfect take-off, and the ’plane rapidly climbed to a high altitude and headed West towards Australia. At the time the flight was commenced 5.30 a.m. (New Zealand time), the weather reports were favourable, though conditions were murky round the New Zealand coast. One of the first messages received stated that the crew were homeward bound, and happy. They were buoyed up by the fact that favourable weather reports for practically the whole trip had been received. At 6.21 came word that the weather had cleared in the growing light. Some little time later, a message tapped out by the wireless operator indicated that “Tommy” Petheybridge was helping ‘“Smithy” with the piloting. With the coming of daylight, Sir Charles was favoured with excellent visibility. A south-east wind was helping the ’plane along, and it was his opinion that if the wind continued to be favourable, the crossing would be made in record time. At 6.31 : came news that the ’plane had passed i through a rain squall, but was still 1 making 120 miles per hour. The next ' message read: “Captain Taylor has ] just shot the sun as it peeped through ' the clouds, and he and Smithy are I plotting position. It is not easy work 1 piloting a big machine, when she is co 1 overloaded." The next terse message t stated:—“Captain Taylor taken shot at sun; heavy work; 115 miles per i hour; expect northerly wind; expect 11 arrive Sydney 3 p.m., 250 miles from 1 New Zealand." < Wind Decreases. Favourable conditions prevailed for a period, and when next heard from, the crew of the Southern Cross intimated that the wind had decreased to zero. The sun was then shining, and there were few clouds to be seen. The ’plane had been averaging 108 miles an hour. Starting off at such an early hour, the crew soon began to feel the need of nourishment, and they expressed gratitude for supplies provided for 1 them by the ladies at the beach be- e fore they took off. Captain Taylor t was stated to have done full justice 1 to a leg of chicken, while other mem- t

bers of the crew, with the exception of Smithy, made short work of toheroa patties. Sir Charles could not acquire the taste, but Stannage revelled in them, and later in the day was heard praising them when in communication with Sydney. Stannage characterised flying in the early morning as "a hungry business.” At 9.58 visibility was still excellent with clear skies, and light north-east to east winds. Periodically further information was received indicating that good progress was being made, and that conditions remained favourable. At 11.30 the Southern Cross passed the Wanganella, but the crew were not able to sight the vessel. They had, however, received weather reports from the Monowai. The wind was still north-east and helping the ’plane, which was very nearly half-way across. .Visibility was good a long way ahead. ’Plane Down Low. A message sent out at noon, stated that Sir Charles was taking the Southern Cross to within 50 feet of the water so that Captain Taylor could use the true horizon for his noon sights, which would give them their true , position. “So far the weather reports have been marvellously accurate, and if the wind holds, we should be in Sydney between 4 and 5 p.m. Time indefinite, but will keep you informed” concluded the message. The next intimation received referred to an amusing incident on board. Stannage went out of the wireless room for a moment to get the position of the 'plane, when two floor boards, resting on edge, fell and jambed the door so that he could not get back. The position looked upsetting for a time, but Stannage secured a saw (carried for the purpose of cutting off a wing in the event of a forced landing on the water) and he pushed it through a crack and shifted the boards. When the ’plane went down low, Captain Taylor got four good sights. Heavy rain clouds made their appearance, and there was drizzling rain to

port. At 2.25 Sydney time, a message indicated that the ’plane was approximately 200 miles from its destination. During the remainder of the trip, messages were received less frequently, but one dispatched at 3.35 (Sydney time) read: “Everything running perfectly; calm, overcast; should sight land in another forty minutes. Getting a bit tired of continual roar. Rainsqualls on the far horizon to port.” Safe Landing. The next message stated that land had been sighted at 4.47 p.m. Australian time and 6.17 New Zealand time, and then came word that the Southern Cross had landed safely at 5.10 p.m. Australian time, and 6.40 p.m. New Zealand time. Members of Crew. The crew of the Southern Cross yesterday differed in two respects to that which made the flight to New Zealand. Yesterday Mr Petheybridge, who is a member of the ground staff employed by Sir Charles occupied the seat held by Mr G. E. Neilson on the trip over, while Mr H. M. Mackay, of Dunedin, replaced Mr J. Percival, jnr., the Sydney journalist. Mr Mackay is the governing director of New Zealand Airways, Ltd., Timaru, and is the proprietor of Wanaka Motors, Ltd., a well-known service-car organisation in the south. He resides at St. Clair, Dunedin, and is a Justice of the Peace, vice-president of the Otago Expansion League, and a director in the White Star Tourist Services, Ltd. He is also a life governor of the Free Masons’ Benevolent Institution of New South Wales. Although not a qualified pilot, Mr Mackay has had some 120 hours in the air.