Fate Of Aviators

Waikato Times, Volume 116, Issue 19455, 20 December 1934, Page 10

Fate Of Aviators

STAR OF AUSTRALIA.

WRECKAGE DRIFTS ASHORE. ■ fc 160 MILES FROM HONOLULU. United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright, Received Dec. 20, 12.0 noon.) HONOLULU, Dec. 19. Aircraft wreckage has floated ashore at Niihau, 160 miles from Honolulu.

It is believed to be that of Mr C. T. P. Ulm’s machine, Star of Australia.

TWO PIECES FOUND.

EXPERTS TO EXAMINE

EARLY PRONOUNCEMENT LIKELY,

United Press Assn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Dec. 20, 2.30 p.m.)

HONOLULU, Dec. 19

Two pieces of aeroplane, possibly from the'Star of Australia, were found this morning at Niihau, loO' miles west and north of this island, by the Robinson family, the owner of that island.

One piece was a strut, and another a veneer board seven feet long. The find has been shipped to Kauai, and will be brought thence to Honolulu by an Army amphibian machine. The Army and Navy authorities this afternoon will examine the pieces at Pearl Harbour, and determine if they are part of Mr G. T. P. Ulm’s plane. The experts are expected to make an announcement in a few hours as to whether they are part of the Star of Australia or other aircraft previouslylost in this area. Niihau is the most northerly and westerly of the Hawaiian group. It belongs exclusively to the Robinson family, who are engaged in ranching there with a few natives.

CONTINUATION OF SEARCH. ISLANDS VISITED. NO TRACE DISCOVERED. United Press A3sn. —Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received Dec. 20, 2.30 p.m.) * HONOLULU, Dee. 19. The schooner Lanaki, chartered by Mrs Ulm, is preparing to sail to-mor-row on a 25-day cruise of the islands, reefs and shoals westward to midway, with a crew of 10, landing parties at numerous spots for a careful search. The Itasca reported'that nothing was found at Johnston Island. She is steaming to Palmyra, 960 miles south of Honolulu, and will return on Monday.

EXPERTS DOUBTFUL.

FURTHER EXAMINATION NEEDED. United Press Assn.—Elec. Tel. Copyright. (Received ■Eec. -20, 2.30 p.m.) HONOLULU, Dec. 19. The Army and Navy Board of Experts, after examining the pieces of aeroplane ' wreckage late ito-day, were doubtful as lo whether it was from Mr Ulm’s plane. They will not,'be ready to announce a decision until they ' make a further examination. ■ Military aircraft have been lost from time to time in these waters, and possibly could drift lo Niihau. The discovery was, made on the rocky shore of Niihau ‘by Mr Aylmer Robinson, the manager of the ranch there for the wealthy Robinson family. The parts were shipped during the night to the nearest aeroplane landing field, Port Allen, Kauai, where Lieutenant Russell Sc.olt picked them up to-day, Hying to Honolulu. The special board on Australia’s offer of 1000 dollars reward for finding a clue is expected to meet soon. The board includes the British Consul, Mr William Turner, coast guard commander, Mr J. S. Baylis; Navy commander, Mr E. W. Tod; and the exArmy chief here, Colonel D. C; Emmonds.

The ociean currents washing Niihau move in a southerly and westerly direction, indicating that if the pieces prove lo he part of his machine, Mr Ulin crashed lo the northward.