SOUTHERN CROSS FLIES THE TASMAN.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3843, 11 September 1928, Page 3

SOUTHERN CROSS FLIES THE TASMAN.

7.11 p.m. (N.Z. time): —Left Richmond aerodrome. 11 p.m. (N.Z. time): —300 miles out encountering strong winds, causing drift of 50 miles off direct course. 6.20 a.m. (N.Z. time): —At 6.20 a.in. the P. and T. Department, Wellington reported receipt of a message from Collingwood, Southern Spit, that the engine of an aeroplane had been heard above the clouds, heading east. 6.31 a.m. (N.Z. time) At 6.31 a.m. the P. and T. Department, Wellington, reported receiving the following message from the “Southern Cross“ Have sighted land.” 6.40 a.m.Machine sighted over Franch Pass. 7.25 a.m. (N.Z. time): —At 7.25 a.m. the “Southern Cross” was plainly seen circling over Wellington Harbour. This message was confirmed about three minutes later by the operators of the 2YA transmitting station, the ’plane having flown so low over the, station aerial that the staff could read the words “Southern Cross” and “Australia” on the wings. The ’plane circled and flew over Somes Island and across Lyall Bay in the direction of Kaikoura. 7.35 a.m. (N.Z. time) The P. and T. Department reported receiving the following message from the “Southern Cross”: Had pretty rough time last night. Everybody and radio gear wet through. Will reach Christchurch at 9 a.m.” 8.25 a.m. (N.Z. time) : —P. and T. Department reported that the “Southern Cross” had just passed South Bay, Kaikoura, well out to sea.

8.35 a.m. (N.Z. time): —P. and T. Department reported “Southern Cross” had passed Port Robinson, Cheviot, 80 miles from (Christchurch.

9 a.m. (N.Z. time) :—Christchurch ’planes met Southern Cross at Amberley. 9.15 a.m. (N.Z. time) : —Southern Cross sighted over Christchurch. 9.17 a.m. (N.Z. time): —“Southern Cross” and accompanying ’planes sighted from Sockburn.

AT RICHMOND AERODROME. Shortly after 5 p.m. (Eastern time, 6.30 p.m. N.'Z. time), the Southern Cross engines were started up and “Doc” Maidment tuned them to his satisfaction. The crowd was not large as the departure in Sydney was unexpected: Kingsford Smith and Charlie Ulm spoke briefly over the air from station 2BL, relayed from Richmond, the latter expressing his confidence in making New Zealand. Kingsford Smith’s farewell was crisp and to the point. Kingsford Smith then tuned the three engines up to his satisfaction after which the aviators were grouped near the machine smoking a last cigarette and chatting with friends. 'The crowd at this stage numbered about 400 people who stood between the sun and the “Southern Cross” casting a shadow over the machine owing to the lowness of the sun on the horizon, and greatly to the annoyance of the photographers who were anxious to secure the final snaps of the intrepid airmen and the famous machine. At 5.20 the airmen took up their places in the machine. Kingsford Smith and Charlie Ulm occupied the two front seats, and T. McWilliams (wireless operator) and Litchfield (navigator) occupying the two rear seats . A tank located between the two seats prevented communication other than by the usual means. THE TAKE-OFF. At 5.30 the engines were “reved” up and the ’plane commenced to move off. The crowd cheered as the huge machine made its way* down the runaway, but their voices were drowned by the drone of the engines, all of which were functioning perfectly. At 400 yards the machine had gathered considerable way and at half a mile it lifted its wheels off the ground and headed in the direction of the Blue Mountains. The “Southern Cross” then circled into the sunset over Richmond and headed for the Tasman Sea across Sydney. As the machine circled over the aerodrome the roar of the engines could be heard distinctly by listeners-in locally. The take-off was perfect, and made with apparent ease by the skilled pilot. At 6.26 p.m. (Eastern time) the onlookers at Richmond aerodrome saw the last of the “Southern Cross” as it headed for the sea into a bank of grey clouds. From 11 p.m-. to 6 a.m. scarcely any messages were received from the aeroplane. At 6.15 a.m. (N.Z. time), 2BR Sydney broadcasted a message to the effect that no message had been received from the ’plane since 11 p.m. (Eastern time), but the buzz of the engine could still be heard indistinctly. Static had been very bad all night and on the short-wave set had been particularly bad. The night had been somewhat disappointing from a broadcasting point

Safe Arrival at Christchurch. FLYING TIME 14 HOURS 23 MINUTES. The “Southern Cross” left Richmond on her epoch-making flight across the fasman Sea at 5.30 (7 p.m. New Zealand time) last evening, and touched the earth at the Sockburn aerodrome, Christchurch, a!t 9.23 this imorning, without mishap, about three hours earlier than it was anticipated the flight would take. Land was sighted at about 6.30 a.m. THE FLIGHT IN DETAIL.

of view as a result. The last message received from the ’plane at 11 o’clock had reported all well and that they were doing 90 knots per hour. At this rate, if sustained during the night, the announcer considered the ’plane would be about 1054 miles on its way to New Zealand at 114 hours after leaving the Richmond aerodrome. NEARING CHRISTCHURCH.

The news of the arrival in New Zealand of the “Southern Cross” spread with remarkable rapidity in Christchurch. People began t& make their way to Sockburn as soon as news "was received, and before long a huge crowd had assembled. A little after 8 a.m. Mounted Territorials and a special detachment of police patrolled the ground. The Sockburn aerodrome mechanics were busy wheeling out the welcoming machines and chocking them up in readiness for their take off. Five Bristol fighters composed the squadron of welcoming machines and were piloted by Captains M. Buckley, Mercer, Harrison, Barlow and Hall. Cameramen were early on the scene and stall proprietors were well in evidence to provide for the requirements of a hungry public which had made a hurried visit to the aerodrome. Visibility was reported as excellent, and the weather perfect for (he occasion.

SPEECH BY MAYOR ARCHER/ Prior to the welcoming planes going up Rev. J. K. Archer (Mayor of Christchurch) spoke through the microphone. He said as far as an amateur could say the conditions for the occasion were perfect. Spring sunshine prevailed. Mr. Archer referred to the delay that had been occasioned in the commencement of the flight owing to bad weather conditions, but since their departure they had made an extraordinarily rapid flight. There would be nothing official on the arrival of the airmen who would be accorded a formal welcome after which the airmen would be given a cup of tea in Captain Findlay’s quarters and afterwards go into town for a sleep. OFFICIAL WELCOME TOMORROW. To-morrow at 12 p.m. an official welcome would be accorded the aviators followed by an official luncheon. Mr. Leslie, chairman of the Paparoa County Council, expressed his pleasure at the success of the flight, and Deputy-Mayor Sullivan also briefly spoke. He had never seen such 8. crowd or so ro&ny cris, which he said were two abreast in a continuous string from the city to the aerodrome. The flight had aroused the greatest interest. Mi. H. Holland, M.P., Leader of the Opposition, had asked the speaker to represent him and party at the welcome to the flyers —the greatest event in the history of New Zealand and Australia. The flyers who had already written their names in the annals of flying, had to-day, added further laurels by their great accomplishment. Mrs. Dr. Stenhouse also spoke briefly. GOVERNMENT’S CONGRATULATIONS. Sir Heaton Rhodes, who represented the Government in the absence of Hon. J. C. Rolleston (Minister for Defence), apologised for the latter’s absence and expressed pleasure at being present to welcome the flyers. He was very gratified to see such a large gathering to welcome the intrepid aviators and was glad to know that they had achieved their objective in making New Zealand. The flyers would be accorded a welcome by the Returned Soldiers’ Association tomorrow' evening. SCHOOLS CLOSE. Announcements were made over the air closing all schools in the city for the day. The ambulance was in attendance and Senior Cadets assisted the Territorials and police in keeping the crowd back. Rope barricades, were also employed. CAPTAIN FINDLAY’S STUNTS. Captain Findlay delighted the crowd with spectacular stunts during the waiting of the arrival of the Southern Cross in the new GlosterGrebe ’plane. At 8.40 a.m. several ’planes from the aerodrome took the air to welcome the “Southern Cross,” one machine refusing to start up. FLIGHT OVER CHRISTCHURCH. Shortly after the “Southern Cross” and accompanying ’planes were sighted over Fendalton and Bryndwyn, the visitor being flanked on either side by two of the Bristol flyers and appearing as a monster accompanied by midgets. Swinging over Christchurch, one Bristol flyer took the lead and the three others dropped behind the “Southern Cross.” The squadron flew' over the city and rapidly came into view of the vast crowd at the aerodrome, the sky-blue body and silver wings of the “Southern Cross” being easily discernible against the clear sky, and present-

ing a w'onderful picture. The drone of the engines could be heard a mile away. Factory whistles blew, ear horns tooted, bells rang and the dense crowd cheered itself hoai'se. The huge ’plane glided down over the hangars, with the wind behind it and on over the heads of the cheering crowd. A PERFECT LANDING. The “Southern Cross” carefully surveyed the ground and was the first to land after three circuits of Ihe area at a low altitude. The wind just started to veer to the north-west as the ’plane touched the ground making a most opportune landing as this wind from the quarter gives less landing room than from any other direction. At 9.23 the wheels of the “Southern Cross” touched earth and the machine made a perfect landing in the centre of the ground, amid tremendous cheering and band accompaniment. The pilot skilfully manoeuored the ’plane around and taxied to the hangars at about tw r o miles per hour when the CROWD BECAME UNCONTROLLABLE, breaking all cordons and swarming over the ground and around the “Southern Cross,” preventing Captain Buckley in one of the Bristol flyers from landing. When the ’plane finally came to rest and the airmen stepped out they received A WONDERFUL OVATION and the huge crowd joined in singing “For They are Jolly Good Fellows.” Moving pictures were taken in the air and on the ground of the arrival of the “Southern Cross.” Kingsford Smith was carried shoulder high to a motor cat’ to be driven around the aerodrome, but in main the programme arranged for the landing of the airmen was not able to be carried out owing to the crowd mobbing the machine and crowding on the ground. The aviators stepped out of the machine looking fresh and well, despite having spent a very strenu-

ous night battling with the elements. The maohind was immediately roped off and placed under guard, and the crowd wandered about the enclosure inspecting it and the Bristol flyers. Rev. Archer accorded the aviators an official reception but little interest was evinced in it by the crowd. MeWJLLIAMS’ BRIEF SPEECH. Air. McWilliams, wireless operator on board the “Southern Cross” briefly spoke over the air from the ■Christchurch relay station as follows : —“Hulloa all you people of radio land. I do not know what I am wanted to say as I am very deaf and cannot hear. We are pleased indeed to have landed. The Tasman sea as many of you who have crossed it already know, can be very rough and last night it was particularly so. It has been a great honour for one to have been associated in this wonderful flight with such an aviator as Kingsford Smith.” Cheers were given for the flyers at the conclusion of Mr. McWilliams’ remarks, and the.- announcer stated that owing to the airmen having been so long in the aeroplane in close proximity to the three giant engines they had all become temporarily deaf. They had been taken to their hotel for a good meal and a sleep. The official reception would take place to-morrow. Over 20,000 people witnessed the landing of the ’plane.