STILL A MYSTERY

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 19841, 16 May 1927, Page 7

STILL A MYSTERY

CAPTAIN NUNGESSER’S FATE MAY HAVE LANDED IN LABRADOR. Received May 15, 5.5 p.m. (A. &N.Z.) NEW YORK, May 14. Mr. D. C. Wilbur (Naval Secretary) has announced that naval tugs and coastguard craft have discontinued the search for Captain Nungesser and Coli on account of the fog and bad weather. He has also declared that the proposed flight of the dirigible Los Angeles to Labrador to seek the Frenchmen would be impossible. Rear-Admiral Andrews has informed Mr. Wilbur that under the circumstances a further search would be futile. Rear Admiral Moffatt declared that the Los Angeles’ supply of helium was insufficient for the proposed Labrador search. Lieutenants Ramsay and Kinchid, naval hydrographic experts, who have carefully studied the weather conditions, have presented a report evolving a theory that Captain Nungesser and Coli may have turned over Labrador and are safe. Their theory is built on the assumption that engine trouble interrupted the flight. The weather report shows that they would have struck a storm, the centre of the movement being northward across their course, and might cither have been blown from their course, or might have turned north, possibly to avoid the storm, which turn would have carried them over Labrador.

The investigators disclosed that wind conditions along the route were the best that could be hoped for, but if they descended in Labrador it might be months before they reached civilisation. A RAY OF HOPE REPORT FROM NEWFOUNDLAND. ’PLANE HEARD TO CRASH. Received May 16, 1.30 a.m. (A. & N.Z.) NEW YORK, May 14. News from Harbour Grace, Newfoundland, states that men working in la wooded area about 60 miles from ■there now report that they heard an ■ aeroplane and then the noise of a crash in the forest, and an explosion, on Monday. It is believed to have been Captain Nungesser’s plane, and a search party is investigating.