SMITH’S STORY

Hokitika Guardian, 27 June 1930, Page 6

SMITH’S STORY

THE ATLANTIC FLY

SAVED BY RADIO

United Press Association—By Electric Telegraph—Copyright).

HARBOUR GRACE, June 25

Kings Ford Smith's own story of liis flight will give greater detail oil his arrival at New York. He said: “The machine had no. difficulty in rising at Port Marnock, in Ireland. It lifted at once to 3,250 ft, and right from the start we had radio communication.’ The weather, until the coast of Newfoundland:.was. reached, was bad. We experienced rain and bumps, which were unpleasant, with the heavily-loaded machine. Rather strong head winds prevailed for 75 per cent, of the flight, but the aeroplane was held on a perfect course, thanks to Navigator Saul, who nevertheless would have been helpless, on account of the overcast sky prohibiting observations, were it not for the wonderful radio assistance given ■iby Stannage practically throughout the trip. , This is attributable to our receiving radio, hearings from ships, which, in ail modesty, I claim to lie one of the first radio shows ever put up for air; work. V ■. ■' HWHERE FOG BEGAN. v

“All went fairly well , until we reached a point between thirty and tln-ety-five degrees longitude, when we ran into blind- stuff’.--Frbiii.thiS'.oil, we. •scai’cely saw- the sky b'r itlihtse&vfAhbut: three- o’clock (Greenwich mean time)j we were in a position 350 miles from, Gape Race,- and we expected' th "reaeh there in four hours. To our consternation, however, the radio, bearing showed that we had made only 20 miles in four hours which, even lor reduced ground speed, was a ridiculously low figure. We found owing to inability to maintain a perfect course while flying blind, added to, I believe, rapidity of changes in variation, caused the compass to swing unequally, with the consequence that we were evidently flying a most erratic course, and this was borne out by .the '-extraordinary • differing radio bearings; which: w^j.-received '.from; the; shipS; 1 would- like to stfes's-This.^- as : it - seems to , .be .aAfiondition:, That; we. are ■ i irfifiisMScal-; ity in - tlie~A'if." There was no blame' attributable to. the instruments .Had, this not occurred, we proLiabiy would have made a point 700 miles-nearer New York. We landed with three and a half gallons to four gallons of., petrol. An hour and a. Half before Harbour Grace was reached, we knew that the petrol was running short,; and w.e were keeping this for emergencies,. I particularly wish to thank the radio operators at all the radios aiid* on".the ships, especially on the. liner “Transylvania,” who made untiring effort to assist us, and to whose good offices we arc deeply indebted.” . Kingsford Smith expresses his sincere thanks to the “New York Times” •for the -offer -to- sehcF a-.lplune,Awhich, happily, was not necessary. He also, expresses’"thanks to everybody who. fieiit- congratulatory messages ,' The trip occupied 31 hours from Dublin to Harbour Grace.

HELP FROAI SHIPS

HARBOUR GRACE, June 25

Kingsford Smith says: —“The radio advices wisely called out attention to the fact that the ground • condition at Harbour Grace was free of fog. and with the limited range, it would, in my opinion, have been unwise to have proceeded any further. Naturally we were disappointed, but this was mitigated by the amazing sources of our organisation from the point of- view of the radio. The weather practically bore out the forecast, but we did not anticipate meeting a heavy fog so far from our destination AYe actually flew (blind half %he ; trip and the ocean fog was apparently unlimited as to its height, as we still were flying blind up to a height of five thousand feet; but fog actually on the banks was considerably lower, and frequently there was clear air above one thousand feet. Throughput the trip we communicated with the' shipping, and iii this way we had a connection with those on the shore, .This more than bears out my theories as regards twoway radio being essential. I would like to pay a tribute to all the boys, who worked magnificently and untiringly, and were each perfect in their particular spheres.

BIGGEST HURDLE FOR AVIATORS.

HARBOUR GRACE, June 25, Kingsford Smith' stated that his experience when, flying in the easteni and, .southern. 'Countries was child’s play to that in crossing the Atlantic. He' says: “The Atlantic crossing east to west is the biggest problem facing flying men to-day, but with the complete organisation which we had it can he accomplished; but only with a multi-motored machine with proven engines and modern facilities.” GOOD RADIO AIAN. HARBOUR GRACE, June 25. The aviator states that he thinks that Stannage, the New Zealander, is the best radio man that he ever had. CLOSE TO THE SHARKS! DUTCH PILOTS COMMENT. HARBOUR GRACE, June 25. Mr A r an Dyk, Kingsford Smith’s co-pilot, a Dutchman, who has thousands of flying hours to his credit,

and whose services were engaged in Holland when the plane was . re-con-ditioned at Uie Eokker works, commented on the flight as lollows: —“I have never experienced anything like this. A.t times we were flying a thousand feet high, and then were down skipping the waves so-close that we could see fish, and particularly sharks, so near as to be able to distinguish their wide open moutfis. Then we would be hidden in fog hanks so dense that we were wondeiing in what direction we were flying.

NA VIG ATOR’S STATEMENT,

A HARROWING TRIP

HARBOUR GRACE, June 25

The navigator of the Southern Cross, Air Saul, stated“ For 'boisterous weather, fog, shifting winds, cold, and difficulties in navigation, this trip hay surpassed all my experiences. It really was quite hailoving. for when, we tried to climb above the fog, the cloud hank turned the night into day. Then the compasses went wrong. At times it looked hopeless, for we did not know wheie we were, and we were chilled to the bone. No one was ever happier than I was when we made a safe landing..

U S.A. TO PRIME

minister.

NEAY YORK, June 25

.. Mr StiPi.son (United • Sta-tes’s Secretary) has sent a message to Hon. J. H. Scullin (Prime Minister of Australia) a s .follows:— “Personally, and on behalf of the United States Government,. I. extend to you and the Australian, Commonwealth .the heartiest congratulations upon the magnificent, flight, and the safe arrival of Kingsford Smith and his daring companions. To my mind, a fact of great portent to the friendly relations of our two countries and to international air transportation is that Kingsford Smith in this flight, not only has accomplished the difficult westward passage, and is about to complete his circumnavigation of the world, but lias joined our two countries by air, via different routes.

AIESSAGE 'IX) BYRD

SENATOR BINGHAM'S 'TRIBUTE

Xll’.V YORK, .June 20

Air Stimson, United States Secretary, telegraphed . from V ashington to Kingsford r: ’Smith’ as follows: “Heartiest congratulations to yourself, Saul, iStalinage and Van Dyk on your splendid flight and safe arrival.”

Kingsford Smith telegraphed as follows to Admiral Byrd:—“Many thanks for your telegram. Preparedness is undoubtedly half the battle. Hope to exchange experiences in a few days.”

Senator Bingham, President of the Aeronautical Association, telegraphed :

“Your .. remarkable western- flight; across the Atlantic has brought a step nearer the certainty ot regular transAtlantic air schedules between Europe and America.” FAILURE TO REACH GOAL. , ’ NEW YORK, June 25The “New York, Herald Tribune,” in a leading article, stated that, although the plane came down before reaching the objective “the disappointment at those, facts that may inspire the popular breast will he entirely offset by a sense of relief that the four gallant fliers were able to got as far as they did. At least, they remained in sufficient command of their venture to pitch an aviation field for a landing place, and they came down in excellent order. It will be exceedingly interesting to learn from Kingsford Smith, just which factor was responsible for the last hours of delay. It seems quite probable that he will have more of value to contribute to science in particulars of this kind than if he has been lucky enough’ to continue without a pause to New York.

NOT FLYING BACK

HARBOUR GRACE, June 25

The opinion of the planes crew, is that the steamer “Alajestic” was good enough to bring us home.' They wish only' once to cross the Atlantic in a,'plane.

MORE CONGE ATU BAT 10 NS

WASH tNGTON, J uno 25

Among the many officials who congratulated Kingsford Smith were the United States Ambassadors. Dawes (Britain) and Morrow (Mexico), who conversed at great length on the flight. Mr Morrow stated that lus son-in-law. Colonel Lindbergh, was considerably worried last night during the reports of the unfavourable weather.

Mr Morrow said that Lindbergh considered this, flight and the I acific flight were outstanding achievements in aviation.

General Dawes telegraphed :—“CVmgratulatious on your splendid achic\e-j incut, which will become historic. Ihe ■ whole country is acclaiming it.

Air Morrow wired:—“Best wishes and heartiest congratulations upon your splendid achievement.” The British Embassy and the Irish Free State Legation at "Washington are jubilant over the flight. Kingsford Smith lias received many congratulatory messages from most important personages in Europe, America, and Australia. He particularly prizes one message lie has got from Air Henry Ford. A COMEDIAN'S COALMEN'!. NEW YORK, Juno 25. AU- Hill Rogers, the famous humourist comedian, in the daily column

of the “New York Times” stated: “That fellow Smith is a real llier. He onid a fine tribute to the radio, and that gives a good idea ot’ what happened to some of those fellows. We hud to admit it, but I guess we were; protty windy over here.”