THE RUNNING STORY

Evening Post, Volume CXV, Issue 72, 27 March 1933, Page 8

THE RUNNING STORY

MESSAGES FROM THE

FLYERS

The Southern Cross kept in communication with the land and' with ships in the Tasman Sea by radio, using the morse, code, and also for the first time in this part of the world, radio telephony. The transmission of verbal messages from a machine in flight provided a hew and interesting experience for those who listened to them being broadcast, and the heavy colouring of the speech by the roar of the engines made the messages the .more impressive. • ■ • ■ .-

The messages reported that in the early part of the journey the . Southern Cross had the assistance, of a brisk south-east wind, which brought her speed up, on Sir Charles's estimate, to 115 miles an hour, and suggested the possibility of a record crossing. The sky was cloudy, and shots at the sun were snapped when it appeared. Those on board rather hard put to find much to tell the world, made the most of the interesting topic of food, and testified to the excellence of the fare they had with them, including tbheroa, about which their opinions were divided.

At 10.40 a.m. (all times quoted are New Zealand time) Sir Charles' reported:

"The average speed to date is 108 statute miles per hour. Our position at 9.58 New Zealand standard time was longitude , 164.52 east, latitude 34.32 south. Excellent visibility, with clear skies and light east-north-east breeze. Cheerio." :

Weather reports were received from tie steamers Marama, "Wanganella, and Monowai, and they found that the forecasts had been marvellously accurate. At noon, Sir Charles took the machine to within fifty feet of the water, so that Captain Taylor could ■use the true horizon for his noon sight,- which would give them their definite position, and also some idea of the time of arrival in Sydney. If the wind held, they should arrive between '4_ and 5 p.m., Sydney time. The sights gave the noon position as latitude 34.51 south, longitude 159.40 east. The speed was then 85 knots. Within the next hour there was heavy rain, but it was clear to starboard, and there was a light wind behind the machine.

Mr. Stannage was amused to 'find himself shut oiit of his radio cabin about that time. "I went out of the Tobm for a moment to get our position," he related. "Two boards resting on' their edge fell down and jammed the door shut so that I could not get back. It looked upsetting for a time, but I managed to slide a saw through a crack in' the door and shift the boards."

At 3.38 p.m. he wirelessed that' the Southern Cross was about 200 miles from land, at 1.50 p.m. (Sydney time), and should land about 4.50 p.m. Shortly after 5 o 'clock (New Zealand time), conditions were calm, but the sky was overcast, and the crew were getting tired of the noise. Half an hour later the wind was southerly, and there was considerable drift, with rain squalls and bumps. This caused a little delay.

At 6.17 o'clock, they were able to send the message, "Wo have sighted land," and -23 minutes later the Southern Cross landed.

In a short telephone speech, about 1.30 p.m.,-Sir Charles extended his thanks to the people of New Zealand for their kindness during his visit. In •very way he was very gratified at hisTlslt to the Dominion! Mr. Stannage alsg spoke bjrieflj;,. . ••""' ~