LOST IN THE DEEP

Wairarapa Times-Age, 17 July 1939, Page 6

LOST IN THE DEEP

AMPHIBIAN PLANE OF ACHILLES SUNK AT CRUISER'S SIDE. FOLLOWING ON SUCCESSFUL FLIGHT. (By Telegraph—eress Association.) AUCKLAND, This Day. A Press Association radio message from the warship Achilles, dated Saturday, states that, following a successful; flight over Aitutaki today, the amphibian plane- of the Achilles capsized at. the cruiser’s side in 300 fathoms. The pilot, Lieutenant Sykes, and Leading-Telegraphist Trent, both made a dramatic escape from the sinking plane in shark-infested waters.

The plane was a Walrus amphibian, replacing a similar machine lost in the Red Sea during the trip of the Achilles to New Zealand last April.

Lengthy flights had already been made at Rarotonga, Mauko and Atiu, where the natives were awed by the first “iron bird” they had seen. No previous trouble had been experienced. This morning the plane made a perfect take-off from the cruiser’s catapult. Their Excellencies, Viscount and Lady Galway, the captain and twelve of the officers were lunching at the Aitutaki Residency. A message was heliographed shorewards that the plane had sunk, but that the members of the crew were safe. Heroic efforts made by Lieutenant Sykes and Telegraphist Trent and sailors to secure wires to the sinking plane were unsuccessful. The accident occurred while the plane was being hoisted aboard. It is impossible for a diver to operate at the tremendous depth.

Captain Parry informed, the Press Association representative that an inquiry will investigate the cause of the loss of the plane.