CROSSED THE TASMAN

Waikato Times, Volume 109, Issue 18349, 8 June 1931, Page 7

CROSSED THE TASMAN

CHICHESTER SUCCEEDS. LAST STAGE COMPLETED. NEARLY EIGHT HOURS IN AIR. SYDNEY, Saturday. F. C. Chichester, the airman who commenced a solo flight to Australia recently and was delayed at Lord Howe Island, completed the last stage of the crossing to-day. He landed at Jervis Bay, about 80 miles south of Sydney, at 4.45 p.m. (New Zealand time), after having been nearly eight hours in the air on the last leg of the trans-Tasman flight, DIFFICULT CONDITIONS. RAIN AND POOR VISIBILITY. SYDNEY, June 7. Mr Chichester left Lord Howe Island at 9 a.m., Sydney time. He experienced some difficulty In rising with his full load, but at the third attempt the seaplane took off, in Ideal weather, with a mild south-east wind assisting him. The steamer Kurow sent a wireless message in the afternoon, stating that Mr Chichester had been sighted at two o’clock, going well. The airman was then about 80 miles due east of Sydney, heading in a direction slightly south of Sydney. After experiencing extremely had weather and contending with rain and poor visibility, Mr Chichester alighted on Jervis Bay alongside the aircraft carrier Albatross. Mr Chichester said he left Lord Howe Island in good flying conditions, but strong north-easterly winds and heavy cloud developed, with heavy rain, early in the flight. “A sight taken on the passage,” he said, “showed that I was to the southward of my estimated position, but an engine defect made It necessary to steer a course giving a favourable wind. I first sighted the Australian coast to the north of Jervis Bay.” The condition of the sea prevented his departure for Sydney, and there will be a further delay while his engine Is being overhauled. His aeroplane is now accommodated on the Alibertross.

LATER. DOGGED BY BAD LUCK. CHICHESTER’S HAND INJURED. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel, Copyright. (Received June 8, 9.50 a.m.) SYDNEY, June 8. Bad luck continues for Mr Chichester. While assisting to place his plane aboard the Albatross for repairs he had his hand caught (between the machine and the ship. The top of one finger was taken off, and his hand crushed and lacerated rather badly. He is now in hospital aboard the Albatross. In all probability his plane will be brought to Sydney by the seaplane carrier. Mr Chichester left New Zealand on be morning of Saturday, March 28, on flight over the Tasman Sea, and 11 ours later landed on the water at 'Norfolk Island, his machine having -ccn fitted with floats. After a brief Islay owing to weather, he took off :n Wednesday, April 1, at 10.3 a.m., uid landed at Lord Howe Island at i. 7 p.m. (Sydney time). Owing to erious damage which occurred to the •oaplane while moored, new wings had ! o be obtained from Sydney and the machine reconstructed.