OVER THE PACIFIC

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 77, Issue 257, 30 October 1934, Page 5

OVER THE PACIFIC

‘ SMITHY'’ LEAVES SUVA “JOB GOT TO BE DONE” LAST REPORT ‘‘ALL WELL” HAWAII IN SINGLE HOP [By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright) SUVA, Oct. 29. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith returned to Naselai on Sunday morning in order to prepare to resume his flight to Honolulu. He spent the previous night at the native capital, Bun, where he and his companions were the guests of Ratu Pope Cakabou, the paramount chief in Fiji and grandson of Cakabou, the last king of Fiji. The engineer is busy giving the aeroplane a final overhaul. Smithy showed signs of strain waiting the take-off. He was not •cheerful when he landed on Wednesday. He remarked that the job had got to be done, and he was anxious to get off in the afternoon. He left camp unaccompanied for a walk. Taylor, who is confident and cheerful, said he anticipated no difficulty. The airmen plan on leaving Fiji to fly over the islands of Tavenui and Futuna, hoping to sight the Phoenix group, which, owing to their being lowlying, might be difficult to sight. If they are sighted they will give a new departure point, which will make Honolulu a bigger target. It is anticipated that the distance from Fiji to Honolulu will be flown in 22 hours. They will then leave for Los Angeles. For the first five hours the machine will be flying low owing to the heavy load. Afterwards it can climb to 15,000 feet if necessary. Five hundred and ten gallons of petrol are being taken, with Smithy sitting on 20 gallons as a final reserve. At midnight the weather reports arrived by messenger. Smithy, awakened, said they were very satisfactory. It is calm everywhere. The weather this morning is fine with a favourable wind. The machine was warmed up at ten minutes after 6 o’clock, and the aeroplane moved off up the beach, running 1000 yards before it rose slowly with its heavy load. Climbing gradually it •cleared the far point and became lost to sight in a grey cloud over the. sea. 202 MILES OUT Received Oct. 29, 1. p.m. Smith, 202 miles out from Suva at 9.45 a.m., Honolulu time, reports that he is climbing slowly. Tie is now at a height of 3500 feet. All are well. HAS LOGGED 535 MILES HONOLULU. Oct. 28. Kingsford Smith, whd left Suva for Honolulu this morning, Jogged 535 miles during the first five hours. The Navy is not releasing his messages, which are addressed to the Sun, Sydney. 'PLANE IN A STORM AIRMAN FLYING BLIND HONOLULU, Oct. 28. Sir Charles Kingsford Smith reported that he was flying blind in a bad storm at 1.30 p.m. (Honolulu time). He was unable to give his position, but kept the key open. The Navy estimates his position at 700 miles from Suva. WEATHER BETTER, HONOLULU, Oct. 28. Tutuila at 1.30 p.m. picked up a message from Sir Charles Kingsford Smith which read: “Under heavy rain clouds at 500 feet. 0.K.” A message received at 2 p.m. stated: “Weather better with visibility from nothing to five miles. ” PASSED PHOENIX GROUP NOT LANDING AT FANNING Received Oct. 29. 7.40 p.m. HONOLULU, Oct. 28. At 2.30 p.m. Honolulu time, the Tutuila reported that Smith was in latitude 6 degrees 50 minutes south, longitude 173 degrees 33 minutes west. The distance run then was 950 miles. Smith had reported: “Now at 2500 feet. Ten miles visibility. Weather very warm.” A later message stated that Smith had sighted one of the Phoenix Islands, believed to be Hull, at 4.10 p.m. Honolulu time. He passed Birnie Island at ■1.48 p.m., and at 6.23 p.m. he radioed Fanning Island that he would make Hawaii in a single hop. He said: “Petrol in the wing tanks finished. According to consumption to date, quite safe on fuel. All 0.K.” Wheeler Field has prepared for a night landing, but it is expected that Smith will arrive before dawn. THROUGH STARLIT NIGHT. Received Oct. 29, 10.45 p.m. HONOLULU, Oct. 28. Smith's position at 8.30 p.m. was latitude 02.129 north, longitude 168.101 west. He reported: “The night is very black, but we will get a full moon in about four hours. There are plenty of stars for taking sights.” Earlier, Smith reported that he was flying at 6500 feet in beautiful weather. “EVERYTHING SPLENDID.’’ Received Oct. 29, 9.40 p.m. HONOLULU, Oct. 28. Smith's position at 9.30 p.m. was latitude 03.48 north, longitude 167.15 west. He reported at 10 p.m.: “Everything splendid. A good smooth night. At 10.30 his position was latitude 05.28 north, longitude 166.16 west. AT HALFWAY MARK ’PLANE THROTTLED DOWN Received Oct. 29, 11.5 p.m. HONOLULU, Oct. 28. Smith has reached the half-way mark, but he has advised the Army that he. is throttling down in order to

arrive at dawn. At 6.30 p.m. ihs position was 170 west, four-tentlis south At 7.30 p.m. he was iu the same latitude and 169 west. Apparently he had turned east to pass over Fanning Island. NEARING HAWAII Received Oct. 30, 12.10 a.m. HONOLULU, Oct. 29. At 12.30 a.m., Smith was 880 miles from Wheeler Field. CRITICISM OF “SMITHY” RACE PROMOTER'S COMMENT. SIR CHARLES APPRECIATIVE. Received Oct. 29, 11.2 p.m. SUVA, Oct. 29. Interviewed at Naselai Beach prior to the take-off, by the Fiji Tinies and Herald this morning, Sir Charles Kingsford Smith said ho greatly appreciated the kindly reference by Mr. MaePherson Robertson at the Centenary Race, luncheon, in which Mr. MacPherson Robertson had referred to his dealings with Sir Charles, and had paid a tribute to his character. “I hope it will cleat up much of the unfriendly criticism,' added Sir Charles.