HAWKER'S START

Evening Post, Volume XCVII, Issue 127, 31 May 1919, Page 5

HAWKER'S START

MACHINE HEAVILY LOADED

RAYNHAM COMES TO GRIEF

MARTINSYDE COMPLETELY

WRECKED.

(DNITBD I'RRSS ASSOCIATION.— COPYRIGHT.)

(AUSTRALIAN-NEW ZEAI.ATO CABLE ASSOCIATION,) (Received May 31, 9 a.m.)

NEW YORK, 20th May.

The New York Times correspondent at St. John's states that Hawker's machine wcighell 6200 pounds, and was so heavily laden that it was at first believed that it would not he able to rise, but after racing over a field at Mount Pearl for 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 the city, and then over Kaynham's field, where it signalled a farewell to Kaynham 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 minutec that the Sopwith was out of sight. When Eaynham 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 his Martinsyde could travel twenty miles an hour faster.

A few minutes later Raynham and Morgan pushed their machine out of the hangar and started the engine, and about an hour after Hawker's departure Piaynham was ready for the start.

The machine rose a few feet, and then fell, smashing the \rtngs, crumpling the under-carriage. and jarring the engine and fuselage. Expert airmen present declared that the machine was unfit for further flying unless it was taken to England and repaired. .. About 10,000 persons witnessed the accident. Morgan and R-aynham were cut about the face and head, but were able to walk without assistance.

Before leaving, Hawker said he had absolute confidence in liis engine and in his 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 he would have five hours of sunlight, and then starlight and moonlight. He anticipated that the trip would occupy nineteen hours, and believed he would be able to maintain a speed of 106 miles an hour after dropping the under-carriage.