DECEPTION ISLAND

Hokitika Guardian, 28 November 1929, Page 3

DECEPTION ISLAND

CIRCLED : BY PLANE,

(Australian Press Association)

(Copyright Prom Sir H. Wilkins)

DECEPTION ISLAND, Nov. 26

“The aeroplane ‘San Francisco’ .today circled the heart of Deception Island, a- volcanic crater. Cheeseman made the take-off. This was rendered possible only because the aeroplane has been fitted with special large size tyres. Crusted snow and volcanic cinders, saturated with moisture, lined the runway. Ordinary wheels would have sunk beyond the possibility of movement.

“Cheeseman circled the island for live minutes, and then we heard the engine die. Wc had ! visions ; of disaster, hut, with the trained pilot’s instinct, Cheeseman - turned on ' the l taps of the three fuel tanks, and once more Ho aeroplane took up a steady roar. It turned out that he had started only with one tap on. . 1

“After fifteen minutes,, he glided; :tp a splendid landing. v •' *‘Cramer > afterwards. .took the controls, and he climbed to a height of three thousand feet. _ He then demonstrated Hiejfitnefck oflthe plane and hi? own skill, and"*landed on the narrowest part of the*rurtivdy. the sky above was clouded,' but far to the southward clear sunlight ?hone...„Graham Islandstood out with crystalline brilliance. We hone soon,to begin our first lengthy flight.”