HAWKER'S FLIGHT

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 212, 2 June 1919, Page 5

HAWKER'S FLIGHT

STORY OF THE START

RAYNHAM'S SMASH

PROGRESS OF N.C. 4

(By Telegraph-Press Association-Copyright (Roc. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) Now York, May 19 (delayed). Tho New York "Times" correspondent at St. John's states that Hawker's machine weighed (HflO pounds, and was so heavily laden that it was at first believed that it would not bo able to rise, but after racing over a field nt Mount Pearl tor a distance of 300 yards, it soared gracefully into the sky. The few spectators who witnessed the start cheered heartily, and watched the machine circle about to manoeuvre into the wind. It set a pace over tho city, and then over Raynham's field, where it signalled a farewell to Raynham'and headed out to sea. The marine signalman at the Cabot Tower, which surmounts a hill north of | the entrance to St. John's harbour, signalled within ten minutes that the Sopfrith was out of sight. Whon Raynham saw Hawker had started, he took the matter philosophically and said he could give the Sopwith two or three hours' lead and still beat it, because hia Martinsyde could travel twenty' miles an hour faster. A few minutes later Raynham and Morgan pushed their maohine out of the hangar and started the engine, and about an hour after Hawker's departure Raynham was Teady for the start. The machine rose a few feet, and then fell, smashing the crumpling the under-oarriage, and jarring the engine and fuselage, Expert airmen present do. eiared that the machine was unfit for lurther flying unless it was taken to England and repaired. About 10,000 persons -witnessed the accident. Morgan and Raynham were cut about the face and head, but were able to walk without assistance.

Before leaving, Hawker said lie had Absolute confidence in his engine and in fala navigator, Lieutenant Grieve. When asked'if they would be able to sleep during 'the voyage, Hawker replied, "We will have a long sleep at the end." Hawker estimated that ho would havo five I hours of sunlight, and then starlight and moonlight. He anticipated that the trip would occupy nineteen hours, and believed he would bo able to maintain a speed of 106 miles an hour after dropping the undor-carriage The New York "Times" correspondent says:—lt is estimated that Hawker's aeroplane started at a speed of one hundred miles an hour. Hawker and Grieve wore heavy woollen clothing under inflatable rubber suits, which it was believed would keep them afloat for forty-eight hours if they fell into the sea. When Hawker studied the weather early in the morning he said he thought he would "beat the Yanks across." Hawker and Grieve carefully-figured out their course on Saturday evening and Sunday morning. They carried a wireless apparatus with a radius of 250 miles. During the preparations Hawker showed no signs of any nervousness, but appeared perfectly calm. He was informed of Raynham's mishap by wireless. Grieve stiid: We shall ily straight for Ireland, relying for out position on the Btars to-night."

Hawker, before starting, eaid: —'"We shall reach an altitude of ten thousand feet 'quickly after we start, and hold that altitude until we reach the other side. Wo will then rise to fifteen thousand feet in order to get a planing rajlius of fifteen miles in the event of the motor going wrong. Wb have flown 93 hours in England, covering just half the distance across the Atlantic. Flying over the sea relieves my mind of any worry. Flying over land means constant worry seeking landmarks."—Aus.-N.Zs. Gable Assn.

"MOST PERILOUS AIR FLIGHT IN HISTORY." (Rec. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, Hay 30. The New York papers pay a tribute to Hawker's great ' daring, but emphasise the dangers of his adventure, which is described as "the most perilous air flight in history. s '—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. : MR, SOPWITH WILL NOT TRY . AGAIN. .

(Rec. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 30. Mr. will not ask Hawker and Grieve' to make another attempt to cross the Atlantic.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. HEROES' RESCUERS EEWARDEIi. (Rec. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) / London, May 30. The Board of Trado has awarded pieces of plate to the Mary's. captain and medals and money to the boat's crew for rescuing Hawker and Grieve—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assil. GALA AT HENDON. (Rec. June 1, 11.5 p.m.) London, May 31. Hawker, with his wife and Grieve, flew at a gala at Hondon to welcome 'the aviators. Scores of aeroplanes, piloted by the most prominent airmen, did stunts giving a mamllous display of aerial feats. The heroe3 were cheered on kiiidiug. Hawker gave an exhibition monoplane flight.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SALVAGE FOR HAWKER'S MACHINE A SKIPPER'S CLAIM. (Rec. Jupe 2, 0.30 a.m.) New York, May 31. A New York "Times" message from /almouth states that Captain Rake, of tho Charlottesvjlle, who landed Hawke's aeroplane, considers tho machine to be his property, l't is understood that the Sopwith Conipany lias offered a large sum for its salvage.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. N.C.4 ON THELASTSTAGE STOPPED BY ADVERSE WINDS 1 London, May 30. The United States seaplane N.C.4 left Lisbon for Plymouth at 5.30 this morning. but wa? forced to descend owing to adverse winds at the Mondego River, 100 miles north of Lisbon (and south-west of Coimbra).—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. Later. N.C.4 has arrived at Ferrol (in the north-west of Spain), and is expected to resume the journey to England on Satur-day.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable. Assn. Lisbon, May 30. N.C.I is undamaged, and is expected to resume the Uight in 24 hours.—Aus,N.Z. Cable Assn. SAFE ARRIVAL AT PLYMOUTH. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 31. N.C.4 ■ has arrived at Plymouth. She flew the Channel at an altitude of 200 ft. General. Seel.v (Air Minister) welcomed the crew.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. NAVAL AND MILITARY RECEPTION. (Rec. June 1, 11.5 p.m.) London, May 30. The crow of N.C.4 was given a naval, military, and civic welcome at Plymouth. The King telegraphed his congratulations. —Aus.-N.Z.'Cable Assn. (Rec. June 1, 11.5 p.m.) London, May 31. N.C.4 made a slow journey from Ferrol to Plymouth, not exceeding seventy 1 knots an hour.—Au6.-N.Z. Cable Assn. (Rec. June 2, 0.30 a.m.) London, May 31. N.C.4 flew from Ferrol to Plymouth in eeven hours—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

SEALED FLYING ORDERS. New York, May 17 (delayed). The New York "World's" Washington correspondent states that the Navy Department has made public the contents of Ilia sealed orders ifiveu to the pilots, shoivine that the seaplanes' flight, was planned in the minutest details many months ago. The orders outline the speed, equipment, route, and crow of tne seaplanes, the manner in which the course was to lie patrolled by war vessels, the wireless arrangements, the place of landing in tho Azores, eta. The ord-

crs stale thnt after arrival at Azores the seaplanes were to take in fuel quickly, ami remain not more than a night, then start for Lisbon (1100 miles), and thence, after a night's stay, fly to Plymouth, England (775 miles). . It is estimated that the trans-Atlantic flight lias cosl tho United States .£200,000, of which J. 10,000 is chargeable to research, JMA.OOO to tho cost of the machinery and equipment, anil the balance to tho cost of the operations of the destroy-ers.—Aus.-N.is. Cable Assn.

THE JOURNEY TO~THE AZORES, New York, May 10 (delayed). Commander Head, describing the journey of the N.C.4 to the Azores, says he started tho flight at an altitude of 800 ft.. and then rose to 1800 ft. He sighted each of tho destroyers owing to their brilliant illumination. After passing the sixteenth destroyer he entered a fog and was compelled to rise to SODOft.; and the fog prevented liis continuing the flight direct' to Pont a Delgada. The seaplane needed only slight repairs at the Azores.— Aue.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.

DISASTER TO H.P. FLYER TWO OFFICERS KILLED. London, May 18 (delnyed). Two Handley Pago aeroplanes flew from Marseilles to Home. The first landed successfully at the Centocelle Aerodrome. Tho second, in endeavouring to avoid the first, struck a big tree, and crashed into a deep trench. Lieutenants Prince and Spratt v.-ere killed. Colonel Laurence had liis arm broken and a mechanic was slightly wounded.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.TfiEFLIGHTTOAUSTRALIA ANOTHER COMPETITOE. (Rec. June 1, 5.5 p.m.) London, May 30. A Leeds firm has entered an aeroplane for the Australasian flight. The machine will be of 250 horse-power, with a speed of one hundred miles per hour.— Aus.-N.Z. Cablo Assn.