SOUTHERN CROSS AT SUVA

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 372, 5 June 1928, Page 1

SOUTHERN CROSS AT SUVA

HAZARDOUS TRIP FROM HAWAII

AIRMEN OUTRIDE TROPIC STORMS

THE Southern Cross was reported over Suva harbour at 2.20 p.m. Suva time. Excitement was continuous and infectious throughout the hazardous journey. It rose to fever pitch early this morning, when the radio messages from the monoplane indicated that Captain Kingsford Smith and his companions were rapidly approaching their goal. There was anxiety in the thrill of expectation. At dawn the monoplane was riding a tropic storm. But the pla,ne came on, steadily on, nearer and nearer with the passing of every hour. By mid-day the climax was imminent. (United JP.A. —By Telegraph — Copyright) (Australian Press Association)

Reed. noon. HONOLULU. Mondaj'. Messages coming constantly from the Southern Cross, telling the story of her progress over the broad Pacific, from Hawaii ao Fiji, are being received. The Australians, Captain Kingsford Smith and Lieutenant C. T. Ulm, are co-pilots. The crew also has two Americans, Captain H. Lyons (navigator) and Mr. J. Warner .(wireless operator). One dispatch said: Our altitude is 2,500£t. at 6 p.m. We have made a good 1,410 miles, or an average of over 90 knots an hour.” At 6.12 p.m. the airmen broadcast: “A little spitting is left in the motor now, but we are ploughing right along.” At 6.41 p.m. the message read: “We are now dodging about to miss storm clouds, and our altitude is 4,600 ft., and still gaining. It looks pretty stormy here.” At 7.27 p.m. came word: "We have met with bumpy weather and changing air currents. We are circling in the clouds to gain 10,000 ft. It is going to be a bad night. The motors are doing heavy pulling now. It is getting dark. Our altitude is now 7,500 ft.” EQUATOR CROSSED Another broadcast from the plane at 7.48 p.m. said: “We are still trying to gain altitude to avoid the storm clouds. The motors are apparently o. There is our friend the moon peeping over a bank of clouds. Our altitude is now 7,800tt., but there are still clouds above us and all around us. “That man Smith deserves credit. He is a good pilot. One generator stopped when we were only three hours out and we have had no chance to charge the batteries and have lights, so we are now using the auxiliary light.” A wireless dispatch from the Southern Cross received at 10.43 p.m. said the plane had crossed the equator and was within 200 miles of Canton Island. At 11 p.m. the airmen wirelessed: “All O.KGoing good.” A later message received at 11.15 p. Pacific Coast time, said: “We are sailing along in fine style above the rolling clouds, with a nice full moon.” At midnight the Southern Cross gave her position as latitude two degrees south, 170.33 west longitude, placing the plane 1,800 miles from Harking Sands, and 60 miles north-east by east from Canton Island, according to calculations here. OVER PHOENIX ISLANDS At 1 a.m. the Southern Cross radioed: “Over Phoenix Islands: latitude three degrees south, longitude 171 west.” Another Southern Cross radio message was received here at 3.42 a.m.: “Doing fine. Been expecting to sight land, but none yet sighted. It is not so clear as one would like.” A portion of a garbled message was picked up from the Southern Cross at 5.5 a.m. It said: “All well.” Radio experts expressed the opinion that the rising sun was interfering with the reception of the plane’s signals. They say the difficulty is only a temporary one. The Southern Cross at 5 a.m. wirelessed her position as latitude seven degrees six minutes south, longitude 174 west. “Eight hundred miles to Suva; bad weather ahead,” said the message. At 6.40 a.m. the Southern Cross wire* lessed: “Hello, Samoa. We have poor flying conditions now. We’re dodging rain clouds. It would be unfortunati

if it wasn’t for our old friend the moon.” STORM CLOUDS AT DAWN A dispatch was received from the Southern Cross at 7.8 a.m.: “We are getting storm clouds now, just at grey dawn. “Pilot Smith is manoeuvring as if in combat with the elements.” The Southern Cross at 7.18 a.m. said: “Motors racing, altitude B,oooft. We have passed through clouds, which are every way we turn. There are black clouds under us now, and it is real stormy, but we are riding high at 8,500 ft.” At 7.29 a.m. the Southern Cross said: “We have to manoeuvre around some of the worst looking clouds. It is up and down. We are dropping to near the surface now at 3,000 ft.” Captain Kingsford Smith, hitting heavy weather, dropped 7,700 ft. in 15 minutes. A radio message at 7.35 a.m. said: “Down to 800 ft. Stiff breeze blowing.” The Southern Cross at 8.30 a.m.

said: “Trying to get compass bearings from someone. Please stand by.” 500 MILES FROM SUVA Naval radio experts here picked up a message from the Tutuila Radio Station saying it was in direct communication with the Southern Cross, which at 10.5 a.m. was 500 miles north of Suva. At 10.50 a.m. Naval radio operators intercepted a message from Tutuila, which had received it from the South-

ern Cross: “Pour hundred miles north of Suva; heavy head winds: seven hours’ gas left.” The Southern Cross radioed at 11.30, Honolulu time: “About four and a-half hours out of Suva, against head winds, otherwise all OK; but all the crew are very tired from battling with the elements last night.” A naval radio operator reports that

tho Southern Cross sighted a Fiji island at noon. IN SIGHT OF FIJI

A Southern Cross wireless says: “We are in sight of the Fiji Islands now at 12.0, Greenwich mean time. Best wishes to all you operators.— J.W. I’U reel in my aerial now'. Good morning.” At 11 a.m. the position of the Southern Cross was approximately 160 miles north of Cape Udu, Vanua Levu, Fiji. Speed was 60 knots; latitude 13 degrees 30 minutes south; longitude 179 degrees 50 minutes west. The Southern Cross radioed at 1.10 p.m. Honolulu time: “Approximately 160 miles from Cape Undu; latitude, 13.4, longitude, 179; 334 miles out of Suva.”

OVER SUVA HARBOUR SOUTHERN CROSS ARRIVES LONG JOURNEY OVER (Australian Press Association) Reed. 2.30 p.m. SUVA, To-day. After a fine moonlight tropical night, this morning is bright and clear. There is a light breeze, and the run

way is looking splendid, with grass like a bowling green, and hard and firm underfoot. It is equal to any runway in the world, provided the length of 450 yards diagonally is sufficient. The aviators will be welcomed by thousands of all nationalities. Europeans, Fijians, East Indians, Polynesians, and others are coming in from the surrounding districts. After the aviators land, the Governor, Sir Eyre Hutson, will come to the park to welcome them to Fiji. The runway Is marked out in white calico. Trees, not only in Albert Park, but on the Victoria Parade, have been cut down. Telegraph poles and wires, and the park fences, have been removed. PUBLIC EXCLUDED Thirty members of the Fiji Defence Force Club will patrol the grounds. At Captain Smith’s request, the public will be excluded from the park. Traffic arrangements have been made to prevent possible accidents. The Mayor, the Hon. Henry Marks, will greet the aviators on their arrival. At 12.22 a.m. the Southern Cross was over the Phoenix Group, 2.13 a.m. Suva time. It said: “Doing fine; expecting to sight land, but none yet sighted. It is not so clear as one would like.” The Labasa station is endeavouring to give the Southern Cross its bearings. EXPECTED EARLY At 8.30 a.m. the Southern Cross wired: “Seven hours’ fuel available.” At 9.22 the Suva radio station received a message: “Please ask the authorities to keep the public entirely away during and after the land-

ing. Would, greatly appreciate a roped enclosure and policemen to mind the plane. Thanks for the improvement of the recreation ground. —Ulm.” The airmen are expected to arrive at Suva at 1.45 p.m. The Southern Cross was over Suva Harbour at 2.20 p.m., Suva time (1.50 p.m. New' Zealand time).

PLANE OVERHEAD

STEAMER SENDS REPORT INTENSE INTEREST IN STATES (Australian P.A,—United Service) (Received 11 a.m.) SAN FRANCISCO, Monday. The steamer Sonoma, en route from San Francisco for Sydney, reported that the Southern Cross was overhead at 3 o’clock, Pacific Coast time, in the vicinity of the Phoenix Islands. The air was rough, hut the weather fair. A message from Fanning Island says the Southern Cross radioed at 6.30 Pacific Coast time: “Doing fine; expecting land, but none is yet clear. Altitude, 1,000 feet; speed, 80 knots.” No flight, with the possible exception of that of Colonel Lindbergh, from New York to Paris, has created so much interest in America as that of the Southern Cross. Headlines 2in. high announce the news of her departure for Suva in many papers. They all lay stress on the fact that It is the most hazardous in the annals of aviation. One of the more sensational papers announced the departure under the headings: “Pacific Flyers Hop Off in Gamble with Death.” DESTROYER TO PATROL Reed. 10.46 a.m. SYDNEY, To-day. The Australian destroyer Huon will patrol the waters between Suva and Australia to render assistance to the Pacific flyers if required. HEARD IN AUCKLAND PLANE’S RADIO MESSAGES CALLS CLEARLY HEARD The messages from the Southern Cross were heard clearly in Auckland. At 8.20 a.m. Mr. N. Walding, Royce Avenue, Mount Eden, heard the airplane calling Suva, and saying that the “stick” showed there was seven hours’ fuel left. Through the courtesy of the manager of the Superadio, Ltd., of Queen Street, who kindly placed Mr. R. Arthur’s services at The Sun’s disposal, the following messages were received at the latter’s station lAN, Millais Street, Ponsonby. Mr. Arthur reported that from 10.55 a.m. till 11.20 a.m. the steady roar of the Southern Cross’s transmitter could be heard very clearly, but no messages came through. At 11.20 a.m. the Southern Cross radioed “Well, call later.” At 11.48 a.m. the plane reported, “Southern Cross in sight Fiji Island. 12.00 G.M.T. Regards to all operators from J. Warner.” N.Z.’S FELICITATIONS

PRIME MINISTER IS PROMPT

Anticipating the safe arrival of the aviators at Suva, the Prime Minister, the Rt. Hon. J. G. Coates, has dispatched the following telegrams:

“Prime Minister, Canberra.—New Zealand has followed with keen interest the flight of the Australian aviator, Captain Kingsford Smith, and his companions, and we send you our hearty congratulations on their arrival at Suva. We trust that the concluding stage may be equally successful, and their final destination reached in safety.—Coates.” The following message was. 3ent to Captain Kingsford Smith: “Captain Kingsford Smith. Suva. — New Zealand warmly congratulates you and your colleagues on your safe arrival at Suva. Your progress reports en route have been keenly followed, and we all sincerely hope that the final hop will be crowned -with complete success. Kia ora.—Coates, Prime Minister.”