The Washington times., 1914-06-19

In the following article by Lien
tenant Porte, who is nom at Ham.
n1ondspor, N, y, putting the fin
iShing touches on his machine, he
makes an announcement of Ut
most importance, one that may
prone of vital aid in accomplishing
the transoceanic flight. 1t mas to
do with the signals that all ships
Using the southern route in cross.
ing the Atlantic are requested to
display during the period in which
the British naval officer expects
10 make his wight. It's asked that
all shipmasters carefully note the
system of signals as set forth be-
lon.
By LIEUT.. JOHN CYRIL PORTE, R. N.
Although It would appear now IS
u the across the sea hight will not
Re begun until somewhere around the
middle Of July. l think II wise to fol-
low the official announcement " my
route In which IL was said that shall
steer from St Johns, Sewfoun,s s-.ld,
o the Azores, with the request lhat
sl ships crossing the. Atlantic in either
direction on the southern route employ
4 code OF signals that shall enable me
9 determine my position
Through the kind and valuable CO.
operation Of Capt F. Creagh Osborne.
superintendent Of compasses Of the
n person, hope. when the fight as
-UalIy begins, code of signals has
been worked out that should prove OF
much aid. Although it would seem q
DIT early 10 announce the code at this
lime, believe II to be the part of Wis
dom 10 make the announcement now,
so that the code can be thoroughly
understood. and so that Il will be as
WIDELY disseminated as possible both
on this and the other side OF the ocean.
II is requested that ships keep a good
lockout for the machine and that after
the press has announced the approxi-
nate date OF the flight the ygnals be
Kept standing on those vessels which
happen to be near the projected route
from Newfoundland to Flores, in the
azores.
From the Azores the route will be
laid TO the coast of Spain. thence fol-
owing the steamer track to UShant
and the English coast
l purpose TO fly at below an eleva-
uon Of 500 feet all the way. and at an
average speed of sixty mites per hour
Wireless signals from Cape Race and
the Azores will give exact Greenwich
meridian time of starting from ST.
Johns. II is especially requested that
these flashes be repeated as soon as
possible by all ships carrying wireless
equipment.
II is important for me to announce
hat l shall carry no wireless on the
4 is impossible for me to spare the
weight. 1t has been necessary TO shave
On every ounce of superfiuous weight.
ven 70 scooping out the woodwork and
skeletonizing the steel supports. Should
i be necessary for me to signal-and
! apprehend that such necessity
would be contingent only upon my be-
coming distressed-I shall use smoke
bombs by day and rockets throwing red
stars by night.
Code For Ship Signals.
I shall be flying low enough to be
able 10 read the ship signals which, it
Is asked. be displayed on the forernast
or mainmast as indicated. Here is the
code that I request be followed:
All ships on the north side of the
direct course between ST. Johns and
Flores will display these signals on,
foremast TO indicate their distance from
the track on which / should be flying:
Ninety to sixty miles from flying
track-Two square flags and one ball.
Sixty TO thirty miles from flying
track-Two square flags
Thirty TO no miles from flying track
One square flag
Ali ships on south side of the direct
course between St. Johns and Flores
will display these signals on mainmast:
Wo so miles from CIrlg track-Two
square flags and one ball
20 TO 80 miles from flying track--Two
square flags.
30 TO miles from flying trsck-one
square flag.
II am at a loss to understand the
signals j shall circle around the ship
or descend to the surface. In this event
II Is requested that the magnetic bear
lngs OF Flores. In commercial code, be
hoisted to the foremast and the dis
tance In miles from the same place be
signsled from one Of the other masts.
viii Eliminate Flags.
During the fight I shall use no flags.
but IL the expedition promises to be
successful before alighting plan 10
ny three flag from the engine struts.
One will be the American ensign, cne
~ C1ten Jack Of England. and the