AN EERIE EXPERIENCE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5350, 12 November 1928, Page 3

AN EERIE EXPERIENCE.

LATE TASMAN FLIGHT.

REPAIRING DAMAGED AERIAL

A thrilling stqry of his efforts to repair * damaged wiredess aqrial while the Southern Cross was fighting its way qver the Tasman onl October 13 against a head: wind was related in Sydney by the wireless operator, Mr McWilliam, when acknowledging a presentation made tjo him by mepi* bers <xf the Electrical Employers’ Associations who are associated with the Radio Broadcast Bureau. Mr McWilliam said tha,t the impression seemed to be abroad that the flight frqm New Zealand! t» Sydney Was more difficult than that Sydney'to Christchurch, whereas the reverse was the case. Severe storms had been experienced on bath flights, but that which occurred on the return flight lasted only a short time. Owing to the clouds and f<Ws, h® w ‘ qver, it had been a case of “ blin< * fly ' ing most of the way bac,k to Sydney. Radio transmission had been carried out in most difficult circumstances, said Mr McWilliam. The wind lashed the swinging aerial against the and, after a time, opened the strands qf the wire, carrying portion of it away. The aerial had to be repaired while the Southern Cross was being buffeted by the storm iff mid-air. The only way that oould be done was for him to open the door and try and hook up the aerial with a walking stick, while the navigator, Mr Litchfield, held on‘to his feet. That was probably his most eerie eptpen*ce. . Mr McWilliam said that hifi surprise was that the transmission was received! sei well. When the ’plane gave a sudden lurch in the ajr it wag quite easy to send an extra dot or dash, or to miss one or two dots or dariiep. In fact, the lurches were sometimes so sudden antt severe that one was inclined to hold on to anything for support—even to the radio operating key. (Laughter.) The reception of radio messages on the machine was particularly good, Hr MoWUHfim explained. He was able to obtain valuable meteorological reports from both Sydney and New Zealand stations, and was able to keep in touuch with ships. The Mahenb’s wireless operator had sent valuable information to the Southern mCkoss.