TASMAN FLIGHT ENDED

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 133, 8 June 1931, Page 7

TASMAN FLIGHT ENDED

CHICHESTER IN AUSTRALIA HOP FROM LORD HOWE ISLAND Received June 7. 5.50 p.m. SYDNEY, June 7. Mr F. C. Chichester left Lord Howe Island at 9 a.m. yesterday, Sydney time. Ho experienced some difficulty in rising with a full load, but at the third attempt the seaplane took off. Ideal weather conditions prevailed, a mild south* east wind assisting him. The steamer Ku row wirelessed on Saturday afternoon stating that Chichester had been sighted at two o'clock going well. Tho airman was then ap proximately 80 miles due oast of Sydney, and heading in a direction slightly south of Sydney. Flying in extremely bad weather, and contending with rain and poor visibility, Chichester alighted at Jervis Bay alongside the airctaft-carricr Albatross. Chichester said he left Lord Howe Island in good flying conditions, but strong north-easterly winds and heavy clouds developed, with heavy rain early in tho flight. Chichester said: “A sight taken on tho passage showed that I was to the southward of my estimated position, bn*, an engine defect made it necessary to steer a course giving a favourable wind. I first sighted tho Australian coast to the north of Jervis Bay.” Sea conditions prevented Chichester’s departure for Sydney, and there will be a further delay while the engine is being overhauled. The ’plane is now accommodated in the Albatross. Air Chichester arived at Lord IloWe Island from Norfolk on bis flight across the Tasman on April 1. Two days later the machine was upset in a squall and So severely damaged that the flight seemed at an end. The indomitable Chichester, however, declared that !>• would proceed only by air, and in the intervening two months he has remained on Lord Howe Island repairing his machine. The people of the island assisted him in the work.