AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 21 May 1928, Page 1

AVIATION

ITALIAN AIRSHIP. RETURNS TO SPITZBERGEN. Australian Press Assn.—United Service COPENHAGEN. May 18. The airship Italia has returned to King’s Bay Spitvibergen, and lias landed safely. SPITZBERGEN, May IS). That tiie exploration of the Polai regions by airship is constantly beset with dangers was revealed by the airship Italia’s return after a flight lastng for nearly three days and three nights. Therein the Italia covered nearly two thousand miles. Tho airship became c-oated with nearjv a toil of ice, thus causing anxiety. Finally there was a blizzard, which; ’(impelled the airship to return, with the ultimate objective, namely, the borough exploration of the lands and Islands known as I.eninland, unattain ■

The Italia, while cn route, made a search for Gillesland, which had been claimed to have been discovered by an English explorer of that name, lull the Italia failed to find trace of it. As the north coast of Spitsbergen was approached the weather became more and more uncertain. Finally, be • coming..enveloped in a thick belt ol fog, tlio airship nosed its way for hours through the nebulous mass, until it was observed that the ice was. beginning to form on tlio metal parts. Finally tho airship came to open sea ice wherever it flow. It kept an altitude of live hundred feet. The midnight sun sent its rays over the horizon, streaming across the (load icy wastes of the Polar Sea. Far and wide there was not tlio slightest sign of life.' Shortly’ before five o’clock last Wednesday morning the coast of Franz Josef Land was sighted. The temperature aboard then fell as much as seven degrees below zero, and the crew, owing to the lack of any opportunity for exercise, suffered considerably, despite their fur outfits. A crust of ice now enveloped tho whole airship, hindering tho manoeuvring ol it. Over Franz. Josef Land a flag from tlio city of Venice was thrown over in memory of the explorers from Venice who formerly perished there. Shortly afterwards the bead wind strengthened considerably and slowed the Italia’s progress. As it flew over one spot where Captain Cagni had wintered 28 years ago, a wreath was dropped. Wlioti the Italia somewhat lumberlinglv approached where I.eninland was supposed to he a blizzard broke suddenly. Obviously any landing thereabouts was impracticable. Just • before midnight tho Italia set !t new course, following on its receipt of a wireless from the supply ship Citta di Milano, advising it to return as far south as possible. The Italia made a five hours’ flight over sea ice. t hen the island of Nova Zombla rose up to the southward, and the airship simultaneously ran into a new hank of log. She rose to the highest- level with difficulty, so as to avoid the danger ol further ice accumulating, as already it was estimated that the ice on her was a ton in weight. "When the Italia was 150 miles from King’s Bay. a series of north-easterlies shook tho airship from nose to stern. Colonel Nobile on one occasion, believed that it was going to fto'lmpossible to make their base, and be contemplated steering the airship for Vadsoe, in Norway. All bands, including the wireless operator, were called to keep the Italia in tlio air, and this explains the absence of replies to the supply

ship’s signals. The crew of the Italia are mnv considerably fatigued with the forty hours’ constant strain of their watch. There was iov on board when a wireless message' was received from King’s Bay stating that everything was ready lor tlio Italia’s arrival and that the Heather was favourable for landing. . The Italia arrived back at King’s Bay in streaming sunshine and calm air. and she smoothly landed.

IS LENIN LAND THERE?

OSLO, May 19

Captain Amundson, interviewed hcie, described Colonel Nobile’s statement that lie failed to find Nicholas 11. Land (or Lcniidanil) ns astonishing. Captain Amundsen said he personally had visited it in his expedition in the Aland, ‘by means of sledges. He bad signal posts erected. He thinks Colonel Nobile must have passed the island in a fog.

FLIGHT OVER PACIFIC. SAN FRANCISCO, Alay 19. Major Kingsfortl Smith stated that the monoplane Southern Cross was ready for the proposed flight to Australia. He said: “All that remains is to set the (late for departure AA e have not decided when we will take oft, but it will be in the near future.’ Smith declared that Ins tri-motoreil Fokker plane had completed its test flights. The start will be made from Alills Field, Philadelphia.

U S.A. AAHATION PROGRESS

NEAV YORK, Alay 19

The Secretary for War, Mr Davis told the delegates of the Associated Harvard Clubs that the United States will have one thousand air ports in operation at the end of the presen rear. He stated that the progresmade by the United States during the past two years was greater than that of any other nation in aviation.