“SMITHY’S” GREAT FLIGHT:: MUNN APPEAL DISMISSED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1007, 25 June 1930, Page 1

“SMITHY’S” GREAT FLIGHT:: MUNN APPEAL DISMISSED

- WINGING OVER ATLANTIC

ALL WELL ON SOUTHERN CROSS REPORTED OFF NEWFOUNDLAND COAST THRILLING STORY BY WIRELESS WINGING steadily across the Atlantic Ocean from Ireland to America in the monoplane Southern Cross, Kingsford Smith and his three companions have been reported over the Grand Banks, off the coast of Newfoundland. Almost constant wireless contact with the maahine has given the world a, thrilling story of an adventurous\journey against heavy wind and at times in intense cold. The fliers expect to be in New York by 2 a.m. tomorrow, New Zealand time.

flhUed P.A.. — Bd Telegraph, —Copyright jlecd. Noon. LONDON, Tuesday. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith and his companions left Portmarnock 4.30 a.m. today in the monoplane Southern Cross on their transatlantic flight (3 p.ra. Tuesday New Zealand time and 10.30 p.m. Monday New York standard time). His companions are Mr. Van Dyk, second pilot; Mr. J. W. Stannage, wireless operator, and an Irish navigator. Communicating with various steamers along its course, the Southern Cross indicated that half of its 1,800-mile ocean journey was completed at noon New York time (4.30 a.m. New Zealand time). Reporting to the steamer Ingoma, its position was 990 miles from Cape Race, off Newfoundland. A message received during the morning indicated that the first part of the journey was made against head winds, with the speed reduced to on average of &0 miles an hour. The weather was cold. The winds, however, later' died down and the ocaau was "calm as a millpond.” "If it was always like this,” the fliers replied, “ocean flying would be a pleasure.” Fog, however, came up and at one time Kingsford Smith reported trying to lift the plane above it. “The fog is bad,” he said, "but we are pining for a cigarette.’ The aviator then reported that the speed was much improved. With the lightening of the load, they were averaging 100 miles an hour. The plane, via Halifax, reported the position at 2.15 p.m. New York time (6.45 a.m. New Zealand time) 50.30 degrees North and 36 degrees West, GRAND BANKS SIGHTED The "New York Times” resumed communication with the plane at 5.22 p.m.. when the report was; "It is a rather cheerless sundowxi. We are just at the fringe of the Grand Banks and it Is overcast and bleak, with fog almost down to the water. "However, we are not cheerless ourjselves, so it’s all O.K. “Our speed is 85 miles an hour.— Smith.” A message from Halifax says the Southern Cross reported at 7 o’clock, Atlantic daylight time, that she was Atlantic daylight time (about 10.30 a.m. in N.Z.), that she was “just off the Grand Banks. "The weather is foggy and cold, but everybody is O.K. and cheerful." ’ Some of the messages received were broken, but became clear after a period of silence. One stated: "I bet Smith and Van are about fed up with It, too. “The wind seems to have eased now. I guess it's about 15 miles an hour, W.S.W.”

At 4.20 p.m. New York standard time the plane radioed; "It is now 9.31

p.m. by my English Summer Time. I guess by about one in the morning we will be over Cape Race.” An hour later, following tho broadcast of one long dash, the fliers stateo. “It is getting thicker and colder. I have got some of my hairy clothes on that I can hardly . . The message then faded off. Halifax reported the weather was good off the coast, and the fog was burnt up in brilliant sunshine. t Kingsford Smith next radioed: Its getting quite dark now inside the cabin. The cheerful glow of the radio tube, with its cherry red plate, makes the cabin look cosy. . . “To complete the effect I think 1 11 wrap myself around another sandwich. Stand by.” SUPPER ABOARD A little later tlie message went on: “Well, that was a jolly decent supper. I think for this ship a snappy chicken sandwich and a cup of coffee I royal wasn’t so good, but the royal is

WORLD LISTENS IN

Jameson’s Irish and is seven years old. “It is not dark yet, but we are fairly higli, nearly 4,000 ft.” The fliers were seemingly addressing a friend on the west coast of the United States. “Clyde, Devinna, Hemet Place, Hollywood will be along to see you shortly, Clyde, old man. Regards from mid-Atlantic —John.” Continuing, the radio reported: “It is getting darker now. The outboard motors are shrouded in a blue haze. Each exhaust port has a faint pink flame feathering it. It is very uncanny. “The lettering on the starboard wing is embossed in gold as the last faint radiance from the western sky touches it.” WINDS AGAINST THEM Early in the flight Dr. James Kimball, U.S.A. weather expert, in his report stated: “A low area moved eastward over Britain, when the plane took off. It nosed into west winds following this area, but as the plane flew westward, the winds were likely to diminish to the middle ocean. “The fliers will probably make the best time for the first half of the flight. After the centre of the ocean, the westerlies will increase and will be steadily against them all the way to Newfoundland. “Conditions on the Grand Banks are not good, with fog and low clouds. “Kingsford Smith is quite likely to have fair weather tomorrow at New York, but down the coast the weather Is overcast, with west and north-west winds.”

CHEERED AT TAKE-OFF

CROWD SEES FLIGHT BEGUN PROVISION FOR SAFETY LONDON, Tuesday. Five thousand people waited for three hours at Portmarnock beach and accorded the Southern Cross a rousing send-off. Soldiers with fixed bayonets had guarded the monoplane all night. The engines were started an hour before the departure, and when they were warmed up the machine took off with a 1,500 yards run, then dipped ■to salute the crowd and headed out to sea. Each occupant of the Southern Cross was equipped with a collapsible pneumatic lifebelt and each had a ration of six sandwiches, a piece of cheese, half a pound of chocolate, a quart of coffee, and a flask of whisky. Squadron-Leader Kingsford Smith carried a mascot —a gold plaque in the form of a four-leaf shamrock, the gift of the Governor-General's wife. If the engines should fail Kingsford Smith will be able suddenly to release the petrol and hopes the monoplane would float for hours. The crowd of cheering spectators to see the adventurers off. included Mr. James McNeill. Governor-General of the Irish Free State. Before the departure Kingsford Smith said: “We do not merely hope to get across: we are certain we will.’’ There was some doubt whether the machine would lift its seven-ton. load, but it rose gracefully and easilj- and was out of sight within 90 seconds of taking off.” In view of bad weather reports, persons interested in the United States attempted to persuade Kingsford Smith to postpone the flight further, but an interchange of communications revealed the fact that the airman re- ! fused to delay any longer. Steps j have been taken to send a refuelling airplane from New York to Portland, Maine, immediately.

EARLY REPORTS FROM PLANE IN TOUCH WITH SHIPS Reed. 11.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Tues. The “New York Times” received continuous signals from the Southern Cross until 5.15 a.m.. when the signals faded out. They were later picked up. The first direct communication from the plane was picked up at the “New York Times” wireless station at 2.31 a.m. This message said: "All 0.K.. but strong head winds.” It was signed ‘“VMZAB.” A second message was received at 2.40 a.m. saying: “Head winds very strong, but good conditions; signals are fading badly because this wave is too short tor this time of the day.” A third message came to hand at 2.55 a.m. This said: “We have passed over a number of trawlers: it is very cheerful to see other people out in this waste; everything is going O.K. “Our air speed is 100 miles an hour,

our revolutions 1,730 a minute, our altitude 500 feet, air temperature 48 degrees, and estimated ground speed 75 miles an hour.”

At 3.21 a.m. came the following: "We have just been having a look at the chart with Paddy; it seems as if everything is breaking our way; there are plenty of ships on our course from which we confirm our position.” A message received at 4 a.m. said: “Head winds are still of fair strength; however, we are tanked for a 38-hour petrol supply.” The Radio Corporation of America, at 7 a.m. local time, picked up a message. The signals, liov.-ever, were very weak. They gave the position at 53.15 deg. North and 16.57 deg. West. The average ground speed was 82 statute miles an hour. “This is satisfactory, and leaves us a good margin,” the message said; “all aboard are safe.” WATCHING FROM N.Z. TIME DISCREPANCIES FINISH AT 2 A.M. TOMORROW The Southern Cross, with its four occupants, left Ireland at 4.3U* a.m. London summer time yesterday, which was about 3 o’clock yesterday afternoon in New Zealand, and about 10.30 o’clock on Monday evening- in New York. If they run strictly to schedule —and reports indicate they are ahead if anything—they will follow the northern Great Circle route as far as Cape Race. This was expected to occupy 23 hours for the 1,900 miles, which would bring them to the coast at about 2 o’clock this afternoon New Zealand time. From Cape Race the fliers planned to strike toward Maine and skirt the coast to New -York, a further distance of 1,200 miles, which they wished to cover in about 12 hours.

Their goal would thus be reached in 35 hours from the take-off in Ireland, or about 2 o’clock tomorrow morning New Zealand time and about 9.30 a.m. Wednesday New York time. The fliers have been aloft all day and, if a'-l is still well, are now’- winging through the night off the coast of America.

In an interview on June 6 Smith said he was out to break down the evil reputation of the venture which has cost many lives. “We have not the slightest doubt we shall reach New York,” he said. “I have the best crew in the world and the Southern Cross is in first-class condition.”

OFF CAPE RACE Reed. 2.10 p.m. NEW YORK, Tues. The Southern. Cross is 250 miles from Cape Race, New Foundland, at 8.3 p.m. New York time (about 12.30 p.m. New Zealand time). PLANE FOR REFUELLING Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Tuesday. A refuelling plane, with 125 gallons of petrol, which had been held in readiness, has left for Old Orchard, Maine, where the refuelling of the Southern Cross will be arranged.

The fliers have accepted with pleasure a dinner invitation from the New York Netherlands Club, and stated “We will arrive at New York tomorrow.”