AUSTRALIA BY AIR

Taranaki Daily News, 15 November 1919, Page 5

AUSTRALIA BY AIR

FIRST FATAL ACCIDENT. TWO AIRMEN' -KILLED. PROGRESS OF COMPETITORS. (By Telegraph.—Piess Asm.—Copyright. London, Nov. 13. -fne Alliance aeroplane which was Marting for Australia crashed at Surbiton (outside London), and Lieutenant Roger Douglas (pilot), Lieutenant Ross (navigator) and another ftviator were killed. The aviators started in the most hopeful spirits amid sunshine, following a light snow shower. They waved a cheery farewell. The spectators at Surbiton said the hiachine was at a low altitude when the engine suddenly stopped, the machine nose-dived into an orchard, struck a tree, * and overturned. Three explosions followed, and a fire started. jßescuers found both men dead. [Lieutenant Soger Douglas was 25 rears of age, and hailed from Charters Towers (Australia). He enlisted at the outbreak of the war and served on Thursday Island in connection with the expedition to German Sew Guinea. He Bailed to Egypt in the first convoy and Bervad in Prance as a machine-gunner. He joined the Flying Corps in 1918 and became instructor. The engine of his machine was of 450-horse power, a Napier-Lion, with a range of 3000 miles, and cruising speed of 100 miles per hour. The petrol capacity was 515 gallons. A pister machine recently flew to Madrid (900 miles) without a stop in 7J hours. The airplane was equipped with the dost powerful wireless.] CAPTAIN ROSS SMITH. CONFIDENT OF HIS SUCCESS. [Received Nov. 14, 8.50 p.m. London, Nov. 12. Captain Ross Smith's brother, Lieutenant Keith Smith, and the Australian sergeants, Bennett and Theirs, accompany the pilot as mechanics; Captain Smith assured the Australian Press Association that he was confident that with ordinary luck and weather he could accomplish the journey in the specified time. He hoped to reach Lyons at three o'clock to-day. The next stage will be to Rome, then Athens, Egypt, Mesopotamia and India. .Captain Smith added: 'Tknow the Egypt to India portion of trie route owing to My experience in accompanying General Salmond from Cairo to Calcutta." The airmen were accorded a stirring send off. Prince Albert, Major-General J. B. Seely, and Major-General Sir F. H. Bykes sent messages wishing all good Juek in the sporting flight. [This cable has apparently been delayed, for yesterday morning we published a cable sent from London and dated November 12, saying that Captain Bess Smith had arrived at Lyons.] POULET'S FLIGHT. SHORT STAY AT KARACHI. ' Allahabad, Nov. 12. Lieutenant Etienne Poulet is not likely to leave 'Karachi for two or three days. His machine will be thoroughly overhauled and a new engine installed. •-AU9.-N.Z. Cable Assn.

[The following is the diary of Ponlet's Voyage, compiled from the cabled reports Of his flight:— October 14.—Started from Paris at 7 a.m. Landed at Frejus, south of France 2 p.m. October 15 or 16.—Arrival at Rome. October 18.—Left Rome. Forced to descend at Naples owing to snowstorm. October 20.—Left Naples, landed at Brindini owing to torrential rains. October 23.—Left Brindisi, landed at Valona, Albania. Delayed there several days by rain.

October 30.—Arrived at Constantinople. November 4,— Left Constantinople. Crossed Asia Minor, via Kenich and Adana. Landed at Aleppo. November s.—Left Aleppo. Arrived Bagdad in the evening. November 6.—Left Bagdad. Arrived Bhnsbire. Uncertain.—Arrived Bonder Abbas. November 10.—Arrived Karachi.]