AVIATION

Hokitika Guardian, 28 May 1928, Page 2

AVIATION

AIRSHIP “ITALIA.” REPORTED MISSING. | Australian Press Assn.—United Service LONDON, May 26. Telegrams via Vadso (Norway) state that there was no news of the airship “Italia” at King’s Bay at three this (Saturday) morning. Nothing has been heard at the wireless stations. This possibly is because the “Italia”’ aerial is ioo coated. Jt is feared that the storm has driven the airship eastward. She has enough food for a fortnight, hut hei petrol is nearing exhaustion. Anxiety is felt lest the Italia should lx; forced down In the sea or on the icy wastes.

Advices via Copenhagen states that there is a heavy storm raging at King’s Bay, Spitsbergen, to-niglit. It is also stated that Commander Nobile had sent a message that tlio “Italia” was not using all of her propellers. The supply ship “City di Milano’ is preparing to go to meet the airship, hut it is considered unlikely that she will make much progress.

According to other advices. Commander Nobile stated that lie expected to reach King’s Bay at ten o’clock this evening, but that the storm had prevented iiim, and ho would try to get to Vadsoe. According to earlier reports, the “Italia” met heavy winds, and she was greatly hampered by the ice forming on her canvas, the danger involved in which is not disguised.

NORWAY JOINS IN SEARCH. The Norwegian Government is taking up the search for Nobile’s airship. The Defence Ministry is consulting with exports.

ITALIA REPORTED IN DANGER. (Received this day at 9 a.m.) COPENHAGEN, May 27. It is reported in the city ol Dimilano and Vadso wireless station heard faint signals at 10.5 p.m. on 20th May from the Italia stating it was in grave danger but it had not given bearings. OSLO, May 27. After a conference the Italian Legation decided to send a hydroplane iclicf expedition from tlio City of Dunilano, North of King’s Bay.

NO NEWS OE NOBILE. (Received this day at 8 a.m.) KING’S BAY, May 26. At midday there still was no news of the Italia. It is believed she is drifting towards Siberia. Nobile sent his last message at seven in the evening on Friday. The supply ship commenced the search to-night.

RELIEF EXPEDITION PROPOSALS OSLO, May 26. As a result of a conference held at the Ministry of Defence in the presence of Amundsen, Severclrup, also Gunner Tsaclisen, and Captain Riiser Larsen, the last-named announced his readiness to immediately examine the possibility of searching for and carrying out the Italia relief expedition by means oi aeroplanes. NO WORD. LONDON, May 27. Both King’s Bay and Oslo report no further news of the Italia. A report from Berlin that the Italia had landed and wirelessed for help is apparently unionndcd. air liner, falls. SEVEII A L cASU AI TIES. BERLIN, May 26. ••[Tie Lufthansa Coy’s Frankfort air liner crashed at Radervonnwald, and caught afire. The pilot and two of the passengers were killed, and another passenger was grievously injured.

VICTORIAN AERIAL DERBY. MELBOURNE, May 27,

The Victorian aerial Derby was won by Captain Follett in 1F.H.50. His time was 23 minutes and 4 2-5 seconds. Captain Matthews, in D.H. 4, was second, and J. Stewart, in a Moth, was third. Flight-Lieutenant A. G. Wells, a competitor in the Air Force machine D.H. 9. struck a high-tension electric cable, which tore off both wings, and then fused in a blinding flash. The machine crashed and AVells was badly injured, lie may lose his eyesight. His forehead was crushed. His condition is critical.

COBHAM’S PROGRESS. LONDON. -May 20

A telegram from Casablanca states that Sir A. Cobliam has arrived there from Las Palmas. He says he had excellent flying conditions. He is going to Gibraltar to-day.

GIBRALTAR, A lay 26 Cobliam lias arrived.