AVIATION.

Hokitika Guardian, 16 April 1928, Page 2

AVIATION.

ATLANTIC CROSSED. BREMEN ARRIVES. (suited Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.) ST. JOHNS. April 13. Aiie Bremen was reported this evening to have landed at Greenloy Island. Newfoundland. LONDON, April 13. A second St. John’s message states: At (1.3 U this (Eridavi evening, eastern standard time, a message from the -Marconi wireless operator at Point Amour, in Labrador. Canada, stated: “ There is a plane at Green Icy Island, at the western entrance of the Hello Isle Straits. The weather is thick. There are no further details.” MANCHESTER (New Hampshire). April 13. At 7.1 d o’clock, an amateur wireless operator picked up a message from the Canadian Government station at Louisberg, in Nova Scotia, stating: "A plane, believed to bo the Bremen crossed the' Bay ol Tandy at seven o’clock. The machine, however, was too distant to identify. LANDING CONFIRMED. NEW YORK. April 13. The Postal Telegraph Company has announced that it lias received confirmation from Point Amour, in Labrador. that the Bremen was forced down on Greenloy Island. There are no details. LONDON, April 13. Dublin reports that after a night of anxiety, Mrs Fitzmaurioe was informed at two’ o’clock oil Saturday morning that her husband, Commander Pitzmauriee, of the Irish Free State Air Force, was safe, and she expressed her deep thankfulness.

A SAFE LANDING. NEW YORK. April 13. A Pliildelphia message states: “A wireless message to the London “ Times ’’ is believed to have been sent by a member of tbc Bremen’s crew, stating that the machine had made a safe landing at Bell Isle. The message was picked up here by an operator when reading a railway message. It said: " Landed Belle Isle at (i.li Atlantic time. ATI well. Cnaided.” 'The signature was undeciphered. MESSAGE FROM AIRMAN. NEW YORK, April 13. Coiilirmalion of the sale landing ol the Bremen at Greenloy Island, oil the coast of Labrador. Canada, was received liv a wireless message to the North German Lloyd Office, from Baron Yon Huenfeld, one ol the crew. It was as follows :“ Made safe intermediate landing on Greenloy Island. 'The landing was necessitated by a lack of fuel strong bead winds being encountered on the wav. The New York "'Times” received a message Irom a Halifax radio station, stating that the Canadian press and (he Canadian Paeilie Railway had confirmed the landing of the Bremen oil Creenley Island. Jt was stated that the machine was not damaged, and that the crew were safe. NEW YORK, April It. The New York correspondent ol the I’llstein Agency of Berlin has just wirelessly telephoned li is proprietors the following despatch : ” All the ciieiimslanecs indicate that tlit* report that the Bremen lias landed <>u Greenloy Island is true. I am trying to get confirmation by wireless, and as soon as this is obtained, a Junkei airplane, the only one ol its kind in tlie United States, and which has I, ceil kept here as a sample machine, will probably try to reach there, as no other means ol getting to GreenIcy Island quickly exists. Greenloy Island is heavily icebound, and t radii,o vessels probably will not venture j 111 ,> the northern waters lor a month vet. The only other possibility is the sending of dog-sledge teams irom Quebec.”

DAMAGE TO PLANK. NEW YORK. April I I. Mr Henry S.clio>'.el. North Herman Lloyd r presentativo. has .sent the billowing message in Baron Non Huenle,ld ; "in view of the reported damage. ami on account of lack ol fuel in vmir machine, the Junker plane, F.l.i. will be sent to you to continue the lliglit.'’ There are conflicting reports concerning the tune ol the landing at Hreenle.v Island. Furthermore, it is now staled that the machine has only been slightly damaged while the aviators are uninjured. An effort is being made to secure an airplane equipped with skis, at Boston., or at Quebec, in an effort to reach the fliers, it is therefore likely that they will be brought to New York within the course of the next few days. There is some, belief that il the Bremen is not too seriously damaged, she may lie able to continue the flight from Hreenley Island to New Nork. ON A REMOTE ISLAND. The remoteness of Hreenley Island, on which tlm aviators have landed is emphasised hy lilt* delay wliicli occurred in the word of their safety reaching the outside world. Ihe messengers had to traverse twenty miles between the island and the radio station, either on loot or by dog team, over ice.

BREMEN IN A FOH. QUEBEC, April LI. The first message detailing the Bremen’s (light states t-hat the Bremen wandered about in the skies, being lost in a dense fog, for four hours, and she was forced to land at o.JO o clock, eastern standard time. Ihe machine was damaged, which possibly will delay the flight to New York for some days. Food and shelter are obtainable -it Hreenlev Island."

CANADIAN ASSISTANCE. QUEBEC. April 11. The Canadian Hovernment icebreaker Montcalm has left the Huh' of St. Lawrence to-day under forced steam lor Point Amour, in Labrador, in order to bring the airmen to Canada on Sunday or Monday. Two Canadian planes are also leaving tn-dav or to-morrow to rescue the airmen. The. first definite news from the fliers says that the plane was so badly damaged that site will he unable to continue the (fight for several days. 'I lie three airmen are in good condition. OTTAWA, April 14.

The Prime Minister of Canada, Mi .McKenzie King, has sent a telegram ol congratulations upon the safe arrival of the Herman airmen on Canadian territory. All business was held up while the news was read. Colonel Ralston annonined in the Dominion Parliament that the Bremen was forced tlowu in a snowstorm .in Hreenley island, where a lighthouse was situated. He said that the fliers would be well eared for by the lighthouse employees. WHAT ITIZMAURICF. REALISED. LONDON. April 14. The Daily Express a va it ion correspondent reveals that Commandant Fitzniiinriie. .ol the Irish Free State Air Force, on the niglit before the Bremen’s departure, said to him: ‘‘l don’t think iliere is a sporting

chance.” Nevertheless the Commandant was desperately keen. He knew that the odds were against the plane’s success, but he went into the adventure (says the correspondent) with his eyes open.

Fitzmaurice added : “For a decent chance, we want three engines and sixty-horse fuel, and the wireless. Personally. I think that the navigation of the Atlantic- is the chief cause of failure. 'There is nothing to go on. M lien one is tlving over uncharted seas, against the rotation of the earth, nobody knows what magnetic effect this will have on instruments.” Commandant Fitzmauireo sculled at the idea that the use of paraffin oil would avoid the peril <d the ice on the wings of the plane. He said that the oil would all he evaporated lie I ore they left the Irish coast. A noted cross-Channel pilot advanced the theory that the magnetic current might disturb the instruments that even the altimeter might lie so affected to register thousands oi feet high, when actually living close to the sea.

FALSE REPORTS TO EUROPE. LONDON, April U. ■Every Atlantic' flight has been responsible for tin extraordinary series of circumstantial reports, which unfortunately have been later proved to be without foundation, but the watching of the progress of the "Bremen'’ from London was thrilling in the extreme. When the plane disappeared from Ireland on Thursday morning, absolutely no word of her was received in England until 4.10 o’clock on Saturday afternoon. That was approximately 33 hours after her start. Alter tile evening papers here had published this fact, it was feared that another tragedy had happened. Then there was an urgent message from New York stating that the ‘•Bremen” had passed over Kings Port, in Nova Scotia, at 3.13 p.m. Greenwich mean time. 'The position and time given corresponded approximately with where the plane should he. However believing that this was merely another rumour, small attention was paid to

'Then, in the succeeding hour, there came message upon message from various centres along the American coast, to the effect that flic “Bremen” had been seen autf heard by several. It was reported that she was flying so high that she was a mere speck in the skv In every case the time and position were approximately right. 'These reports aroused widespread interest. Then the climax came in a

night thrilling with anticipation, when the following dramatic message was flashed out by the News Agency tape machines at 9.43. “A direct wireless telephone message from New 3 ork to Berlin lias announced the arrival of the ‘Bremen’ at Mitchell Field, in New York, three-quarters of ail hour ago. An enormous crowd greeted tile lliers Bands played the German and American National Anthems as the machine landed. > There next tollowercd a vain wait for a direct confirmation from New York. All hour had passed without any result, when there came the stunning announcement that each and every previous message was without founclai ion.

'The effect of the last message in Berlin was electrical. Earlier in tlm day when the machine was overdue at New foundland the German papers had published the gloomiest: series ol circumstantial reports. Towards evening the reports of a landing transformed Berlin into a city of wild joy. 'I be uncontrollable crowds seized the newspapers and rushed the calcs, wildly proclaiming an Atlantic victory. Thereafter there came the second report which definitely announced that the “Bremen” had crossed the Atlantic at four o’clock Greenwich time, and Halt she was due at New York at eight

p.m. These cruel wireless telephone rumours thus far have not been accounted for. hilt they are attributed to Now York irresponsible*, having been sent to set any lingering doubts at rest. On their receipt the Hermans gave them selves over to unrestrained rejoicings, ami the scenes were reminiscent of Paris on the occasion of the false Niui-gossor-Coli rumour. Crowds of people stormed the home of Herr lyoohl. pilot of the “Bremen." Llis wile’s lace was beaming with delight. Shi' said: “I am overdyed. 1 have always known that he would win through, and 1 will tell him so presently when I speak l*o him over the Atlantic telephone.” Even the broadcast stations sent out vivid descriptions of the alleged lauding and of the welcome. The news was also spread by thousands of loud speakers in narks and the open places, hut the joy of the people was turned to anger on their eventual realisation that the report were without foundation.

ELATION IN IRELAND. LONDON. April 11. The Irish Free State is jubilant at the '‘Bremen’s” success. Airs Eitzmaiirice was overcome hy emotion on hearing the news ol the plane's safe irrrival. She said that her husband had achieved his life’s ambition. as hi* had talked tor ten years <>l living tile Atlantic. “But lie will ilo no more stunt Hying, it I igm stop him. I have not slept since my husband left.” she aded. The Governor General of the I'fee •State. Afr Ale.Nciil. and President Cosgrave. have issued a statement, praising the “Bremen’s” achievement, and expressing gratification that an Irishman was associated with the venture. The Irish Civic Guard and the Free State Army jointly pay a tribute to the “Bremen's” success as a combination of Herman thoroughness and Irish courage.

GERMAN JUBILATION. BERLIN. April 11. The happiest women in Germany are Bareli You Hueufold’.s aged mother and Pilot Kochi’s young wile. (hearing crowds surrounded their houses ail day long. The former repeatedly came on to the porch, over which was .nailed a glided horseshoe, and acknowledged the acclamations. The ex-Kaiser has cabled his congratulations to the aviators, paying special tribute to the German aeroplane industry, which, he says, though gagged, has .been able to construct a mu cl 1 1 n- ■ eapalile of performing such a feat.

ALL AMERICA EXCITED. NEW YORK. April 14. With the possible exception of Colon' I Lindbergh's flight over tin* \tlantic to Paris, no aviation ••vent has so stirred this city and the rest ol the country as the " Bremen" hop. Apart from thumumis of people clou ding .Mitchell Field, in expectation of the fliers' arrival. Ml eh news as was available throughout the night and day was 'broadcast by the radio, while the newspaper offices received thousands of messages ol inquiry, and even at this late hour it is still ditfivult to make a telephone connection with any metropolitan journal, owing tii the continuous flow of requests for information. The fliers’ safety is now assured, and messages of felicitation re being sent to them and to Europe. Th? British war veterans here were the first to wireless their congratulations to Commandant Fitzmaurie?.

Commander Byrd has cabled congratulations to the German.nation.

There is ytit a complete lack of details as to the manner of, and tho reason for, the landing on Greenlcv Isla .n d. COMMANDER FITZMA TRICE. LONDON, April 14. Mr John Redfern. linotype operator, of Slicffield, England, is the father-in-law of Commandant Fitzmaurice. Air Redfern says: “ ‘Fitz’ is a regular dare-devil. His marriage was a real love affair. My daughter was only sixteen years of age when she met ‘Fitz,’ who joined the British army when he was only fifteen years old. He served in France with the Seventeenth Lancers. and the West Kent Regiment. Unknown to each other, ‘Fitz and T were in the same trench in the Somme in 1910.” ‘Fitz.’ later joined the Air Force. He there earned the reputation of being a daring pilot. He was one of the party who were selected for the raid on Berlin in 1918. hut that project was cancelled hv the Armistice. He joined the liisli Free State Air Force in 1921. BERLIN. April 14. End Birkenhead (British Secretary of State for India) inspected the l.tiftlias port, and flew over the city. Lord Birkenhead, who is here on a golfing holiday, was entertained at dinner by prominent German politicians and bankers. He said: “Even in the darkest days of the war, Britain always had a feeling of sincere admiration for Germany’s achievements. This sentiment has been enhanced when it is seen how wonderfully German commerce and industry have overcome tho difficulties with which it has been confronted by the defeat.” He said he hoped that friendly co-operation between the nations would prevail in future.

AERONAUT’S VIEW. LONDON, April 14. Mr Komphill. I‘resident of the Royal Aeronautical Society, while warmly congratulating the “Bremen” fliers and admiring their pluck, initiative and skill, says they must not Ixi led away to believe that the day of frequent crossings of the Atlantic, in either direction, is necessarily nearer. Personally, ho said, he was inclined to the view that an Atlantic air service will only he made practicable by the airship. Though aeroplanes were not to ho ruled out, flying boats must be used to ensure safety and regularity. hope for hinchcliffk. LONDON, April 14. Mrs H inched fie said that HinchclifTe told her, before starting, that he might have to strike in a north-westerly direction. She added: “This is exactly what happened to the ‘Bremen.’ Fifty miles to the north of Greenloy Island lies a desolation Eskimo country, where it is likely that Hinchcliffe landed. If. as 1 expect, the Eskimos are taking care of him. T will not resign hope until the middle of June, when the melting of the snows will enable him to communion to with us.” (Received this day at 8 a.m.) NEW YORK. April If. Calculations made here indicate the distance between the point of departure and the landing of the plane is 2,123 miles. Although the machine probably flew further, due to fog. the flight consumed 34 hours 32 minutes. Iho wind and not the compass variations are believed to have been the chief contributing factor, which threw tho ship oil the course, a side-wind probably taking them further north every hour after departure. POSITION OF FLIERS. (Received this day at 8.50 a.m.) NEW YORK. April 11.

No further reports of importance have been received concerning the Bremen. The outstanding tact ol the day and reported cflort to reach the Bremen s fliers, is that they are as completely isolated as il at the North Bole. I hex are unable to gel out and none is able to reach Greenley. Ibe ice-cutter Montcalm may get there even before aerial efforts can prove successful, although one machine lias started from Canada and others may start to-mor-row. It is really a serious effort to send a plane to Labrador. It now rests, with Byrd who has been strongly urged to fly one of bis ski-equipped planes to Greenloy. He, however, expressed grave doubts as to bis ability to land his machine there without doing il serious damage, thus in no way remedying the situation. The prospects of the Bremen being repaired and continuing the flight unaided are extremely small. 'There is neither equipment nor petrol at Green-

Efforts to charter sealing steamers at Newfoundaiul to make the trip to (livenlv have been unsuccessful; skippers declaring it is too great a risk to trust their vessel and crews to dangerous ice-jams and expressing si-peticisin to the .Montcalm’s ability to overcome the ice. The fliers have received a message of congratulation from ex-Kaiser Wilhelm containing the observation that the Might demonstrated Herman ability. “In defiance of all opposition to Herman aircraft construction per a spent ad astra.