RADIO REPORTS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXIX, Issue 20109, 16 May 1935, Page 10

RADIO REPORTS

LISTENERS THRILLED AND ALARMED WORST FEARED AT ONE STAGE By Telegraph—Press Association WELLINGTON, May 15. The following radio messages were received from the Southern Cross today: “We took off at 12.20 a.m. (Sydney time). The weather was perfect. Only the Southern Cross is making the trip as there was insufficient load to warrant the Faith in Australia making the trip. “Smithy,” Taylor and Stannage comprise the crew. “Just before the take-off a man put his hand into the propeller of the radio generator and badly bent the blade, but we were able to straighten it. We hope it holds together. We left the coast behind at 1 a.m. Taylor took his departure bearings through the roof hatch and then dropped a flare, which blazed on the ocean, for a drift reading. There are heavy black clouds about, but a bright moon is breaking through. It is warm and cosy in the cabin. It is slightly bumpy which is unusual over the ocean. We are still climbing at 1500 feet and have already passed through a little flurry of rain.

The dead reckoning position at 16 hours G.M.T. is: Latitude 34 degrees 15 minutes south, longitude 153 degrees 08 minutes east, distance run 140 miles, ground speed 85 miles an hour, wind south, 25 miles an hour, altitude 1800 feet. “It is hard to resist the desire to sleep. The drone of the motors always induces sleepiness. The radio works perfectly.” 2 a.m.—“Smith said: I have just

come down from the cockpit. I did a spot of pumping. He frowned and said: ‘The weather looks bad ahead.’ I am very pleased to hear that, as I can work on Bluff radio both ways. Captain Taylor has just dropped another calcium flare. The clouds seem to be clearing away again. The dead reckoning position at 17.00 hours G.M.T. is: Longitude 34deg 38min south, 154 deg 36min east, distance run 234 miles, speed 94 miles an hour, wind south, 5 miles an hour, course 94 deg. There is a beautifully clear sky but no moon and it is very dark. Two further flares were dropped to obtain the wind drift. It is getting chilly, although we are all well wrapped up. The dead reckoning position at 18.00 hours G.M.T. is: Latitude 34deg. 58 min. south, 156 deg. lOmins. east, distance run 325 miles.

“The dead reckoning position at 19.00 hours G.M.T. is: Latitude 35deg. 20min. south, 157 deg. 39mins. east, distance run 410 miles. It is absolutely pitch black now and very cold. Our altitude is 2000 feet. It is still bumpy and we are anxiously awaiting the dawn to ascertain the drift.

"At 5.15 a.m. the sky brightened slightly in the north. “At 5.30 a.m. dawn begins to break and the surface becomes visible. There appears to be a strong south-south-west breeze and heavy banks of black clouds all about. The dead reckoning position at 20 horns G.M.T. is: Latitude 35deg. 39 mins, south, 159 deg. 29mins east, distance run 515 miles, wind south-south-west 25 miles an hour, height 1800 feet, speed 105 miles an hour.

Starboard Propeller Lost A message received from the Southern Cross, timed at 8.30 am., stated that the ’plane had lost her .starboard propeller and had turned back to Sydney. Her position was 35deg. 55min. south, 160 deg. 15min. east.

9.4s—“The present position is that the ’plane is making for Sydney with one propeller gone, and the other outboard engine missing at times. The cai-go has been jettisoned. We are hanging on to the mail, but we would be glad of instructions from the Australian Post Office to dump it.

“The ’plane is unable to hear Sydney or any station. There are black clouds all round. If we are forced down, the fading of a prolonged dash will indicate the fact.”

9.45 a.m.—‘“The ‘plane can hear the Awarua radio station and replies, ‘it is nice and cheery to hear something. I guess Sydney is getting it O.K. We will stagger along like this for a w’ay. Bill is going to take sights now. Good, that should give us a fairly definite position. The wind is getting up from the w’est now.’ ” It is added that the Awarua radio station is getting in touch with Sydney radio station in order to transmit any messages intended for the aeroplane. 10.19—“ The sea is getting worse and the wind is blowing harder. There is

a knocking noise in the centre motor. We are all listening to each beat of those other two motors. I guess the boss will take the Faith in Australia across with the mails to-morrow if we make the Australian coast.” Instructions As To Mail 9.55 The Sydney radio station has requested the Awarua radio station to inform Sir Charles Kingsford Smith that the Australian Post Office authorities desired “Smithy” to use his own discretion in the matter of dumping the mail, as human life comes first. Efforts were then being made by the Awarua radio station to establish communication with the aeroplane. 10.2—“ The wind is rising and the sea is nasty from the west. I would hate to go down in that. I hope they will hold out. I wish we knew if there was a ship we could land alongside.” At 9.35 a.m. New Zealand time. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith broadcast his position as follows: “The aircraft is on the position line bearing 318 deg. and reciprocal 138 deg., passing through position latitude 35deg. south, longitude 158 deg. 12mins. east.” 10.55 “She still seems to be flying O.K. We are holding 500 feet at just below the full revolutions, but are making very poor headway against this foul head wind and with only two motors. That port motor keeps spitting, and every time she does I feel like—‘if she quits we go straight down.’ ‘Smithy’ would drop her in and we should be able to float O.K. as we should probably cut adrift one wing.” 11.6 “We are going down I think. Stand by.” 11.7 “Right, picked up again.” 11.13 “ ‘Smithy’ says please hold this leave. He expects the port motor to go any moment, bad.” Cargo Jettisoned 11.21—" ‘Smithy’ says we will hangon in the meantime. We have had to dump all cargo. ‘Smithy’ says: 'Could you please spare a boat to come out on our course with plenty of smoke.’ The port engine has dropped a cylinder now. ‘Smithy’ says: ‘Also tell them that he is frightfully sorry about it all. We are averaging 500 feet high. Perhaps someone might fly the Faith in Australia or one of the new England Avro 10’s to locate us.’ ” 11.30—“ If the Fiscus (Gntb) could make a big smoke we may see him.” 11.34: “‘Smithy’ says: ‘Could you get a message to our wives, and tell them not to worry]. We are not in the water yet.’ ” 11.41—The following message was received without call signs: “We are going down to take a sight.” 12.14 “We estimate our position at 0014 hours G.M.T. at latitude 34deg. south, longitude 156 deg. lOmins. east, distance from land 250 miles, course 277 magnetic. We will probably strike the coast north of Sydney as we are not heading into the wind to allow for drift.” 12.29 — “ ‘Smithy’ asks if one of the battleships, or one of the Union ships, with direction finding instruments, could take a bearing of us. There might be a chap with direction-finding on his way out.” 12.30 “We can see much better now. The wind is still head on, but not so strong.” 12.46 “Things look much brighter now. As the petrol load gets less and [ess, she can be throttled back and save the motors. The port motor seems to be hanging on O.K. now. If we :arry on like this we shall probably strike the coast about Port Stephens.” Anxious Moments I.2o—We are flying on. I.43—“The port motor only has been working during the last quarter of ill hour. Going! Going! Going!" 1.46 “We are still going down.” 1.47 “We are going down any ninute.” 1.55—“8i1l trying to get some oil from the other engine.” 2.s—“We are going in any minute row. I hope the Sussex or the Faith n Australia finds us.” 2.7—The shore stations lost touch vith Sir Charles and the Faith in Australia is going in search along ;he course. 2.4o—“We have transferred a gallon >f oil from one engine to another. We lope to see land in about 10 minutes.” 3.46 “’Plane in touch with Sydney, i’aith in Australia just taken off to neet him. It is estimated that the Southern Cross is approximately 60 ailes from the coast.” 4.46 “The Southern Cross has sightd land.” s.3o—“The Southern Cross is off Sotany now and will be in in 10 linutes.” s.s2—“The Southern Cross landed at lascot.”