THE TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

Colonist, Volume LXI, Issue 15087, 2 June 1919, Page 5

THE TRANSATLANTIC FLIGHT.

BRITISH AIRMEN'S ATTEMPT.

THE START DESCRIBED.

ACCIDENT TO RAYNHAM'S MACHINE.

Australian and N.Z. Cable Association

New York, May 19. Before leaving, Hawker said he had, absolute confidence in his engine and the navigator, Grieve. He asked Grieve ir lie could, not" dispense-with his pyjamas in order to lighten the 'plane. When asked if he would be able to sleep dming the voyage, Hawker replied^ 'We will have a long sleep at

Hawker estimated ttiat he would have five hours' sunlight, then starlight and moonlight. He anticipated that the trip would occupy nineteen hours. _ He believed he would be able to maintain a speed of 106 miles an llOmf ™ dropping the" under-carriage. The "New lork TinvV » St. JohS's correspondent states that Hawker's machine weighed 6200 pounds, and was j so heavily laden that it was at first believed it would not be able-to rise, but after racing over the Mount Pearl field for a distance of 300 yards it soared gracefully skyward. The few spectators who witnessed the flight cheered heartily and watched the machine circle about and manoeuvre into the wind and set its face over the city, where it signalled a farewell to Raynham and headed seaward.-

The marine signalmen at Cabot lower, which .surmounts the hill at the north entrance to St. John's Harbour signalled within ten minutes that ihe bopwith was out of sight. VUieii Raynham saw that' Hawker had started he took the matter philosopmcally, and said he could give the &°PwJ th tw° or three hours' lead and stil beat it, because the Martinsyde could travel.twenty miles an hour raster.

A few minutes later than Hawker -Kaynham and Morgan pushed their machine out of the hangar, and started the engine about an hour after Hawker s departure Raynham wa= ready for the start. His machine rose a lew feet and then fell, smashing the wings and body, crippling the under carriage and jarring the engine and fuselage. Expert airmen present declared that the machine would be unfit for further flying unless taken to England and repaired.

About 10,000 persons witnessed the accident.

Morgan and Raynham wore cut about the face, but were able to walk unassisted.