SOUTHERN CROSS

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1929, Page 5

SOUTHERN CROSS

ANDERSON STILL MISSING

I,Australian Press Association)

(Received tin's day at 8.30. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 20.

The Amalgamated Wireless reports the Southern Cross flew, from Derby to-day at noon to Wyndliam to commence at the earliest moment the search for Anderson and Hitchcock, who are still missing.

Air force airplanes to-day searched for of hours in the vicinity of Alice Springs and are oontinung to-mor-row.

KINGSFORD SMITH

ADDITIONS TO ULM’S STORY

(Received this day at 8.30. a.m.) PERTH, April 29. Kingsford-Smith before departing from Derby told a brief story of the Southern Cross’s forced landing to Colonel Mansfield. He reiterated a number of points disclosed in Ulm’s diary and went on to state: “We were flying blind for several hours before we were forced down. When over Port George Mission we had about If: hours petrol left. So we dropped a message asking which direction Wyndliam. was. The reply was made in figures on the ground, namely 150 miles, and a man pointed in an easterly direction. We thereupon flew in that direction approximately fifty miles and then realising the petrol was insufficient to get us there, we turned back for 25 miles, all in rain and low clouds with had visibility, and being unable to sight the Mission we landed safely on a soft grassy swamp with approximately ten minutes fuel supply. Our position was somewhat obscured from reselling planes and owing to weakness and damp fuel we were unable to make big fires. We were, however, always comforted by Mae’s efforts in receiving Sydney radio stations which told of the attempts to find us.”

HOPE LESSENING

ADDTTIONAL SEARCHERS

/Received this day at 9.25. a.m.) SYDNEY, April 20.

Hope of finding Anderson and Hitchcock alive is dying. Admitting there is not more than a remote chance of finding the men alive, air force officials propose to continue the search. Leaving Alice Springs the Kookaburra, carried only three bottles of water, and a packet of sandwiches. Seven aeroplanes will search to-day including the Southern Cross. Three air force machines arrived at Alice Springs yesterday afternoon. A Queensland plane equipped with wireless also joins in the search to-day. The Southern Cross leaves Derby at daylight for Wyndliam. The monoplane was given an overhaul yesterday.