The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1916-09-09
AvIATORS BRAVE GALE IN SEARCH
 FOR INVADERS" s"
Volunteers In Aero Reserve Have Close Call as Hur-
 ricane Breaks.


 feet of power craft, in the work of perfecting the new naval defence sys- tenn for New York harbor yesterday afternoon Frederick T. Dawson and David H. Mccullough. civilian avia- tors, were caught 25 miles outside the harbor entrance in sudden blow that preceded the thunderstorm and nar- rowly escaped with their lives.
 At an altitude of 2,100 feet, when the atmospheric conditions underwent a change with bewildering rapidity, the flyers, in a Curtiss seaplane, en- deavored to wheel quickly and vol- plane to shelter. After struggling with the elements for the better part of half an hour they were able to alight on the wind lashed surface of the Great South Bay close by Oak land Island, which is just this side of lire Island Inlet.
 It was MT. Davison's second escape this week. On Wednesday Mr. Davi- son, who is the son of Henry P. Davi- son, of the firm of J. P. Morgan & Co.,, found himself 1000 feet above the East River with his aeroplane en-
 
 successful in piloting himself, and the observer who accompanied him, to the waters edge in safety. and the couple were rescued in a launch from the steam yacht Viking. owned by Commodore George F. Baker, of the New York Yacht club.
 True to the teachings of their naval tutors, the aviators, when they reach ed shore yesterday, made an official report of the attainment of their tac- tical objective before mentioning any thing about the dramatic combat they had been forced into with the treach- erous air currents. With the wind in squally blasts at terrific velocity, threatening to rend the planes of ).their frail craft asunder and precipi- tate the occupants into the Atlantic below, MT. Mccullough, at the wheel, shaped his uncertain course close to the surface until he he'd a slight measure of protection in the lea of the island Then he darted through the inlet and took his chances on the lesser turbulence of the bay.
 Aviators' Fight for Life.
 Several steamship masters and oth- lers on board sturdy power craft that were hard put to hold their course in the storm found time to watch the aviatorg fight for life. The view awe inspiring one. Against a scowling background of copper coiored cloud banks. shot with incessant lightning | flashes. the seaplane appeared to be as much at the mercy of the whimsi- | rsn1 nd lx1 1k1 modic jerks 1t made progress, how ever, and finally disappeared in the | storm haze which hung along the shore.
 | This Is the first news of the avia- tors safety that was receiyed at the l Atlantic Yacht club, which is being utilized as base for the "mosquito'' l neet:-
 l "At 4!45 o'clock the following tele- phone message was received from Ed l wood 8. Warner at Quosue Island Life Saving station, relayed there from F. T. Davison and D. H. Mccullough: :-
 At 3:41 o'clock, at height of | 2.100 feet, we sighted both destroyers and then put into Oak Island on Aac- sent by Messrs. Davison and McCul- Iough from the Oak Island Life Say ing station"
 The destroyers F1ueser and War i rington left their anchorage in Grave send Bay in the morning and pro- ceeded to sea- Their function was to return over a different course in the afternoon, the F1usser representing an
 advance screen of scout vessels and I the Warrington the main body of an 2 off "a orlr drn uyI, oh I New York harbor and the battleships
 Kentucky. New Jersey and Maine al anchor in the 3larbor's entrance.
 The power craft of the ''mosquAto'
 fleet put out to reconnoitre the ap. breaches to the anarbor. and they were
 directed in their observation by one
 seaplans from Volunteer Aerial Coast Patrol Unit No. 1, ,Manhasset Bay
 which was manned~ by MT. Dayisor
 and Mir. Mccullough. The destroyers
 were sighted and their location plot. ted by the intrepid adrmen when the vessels were fifty miles from Grave.
 send Bay. and the naval officers w11c
 are directing the operations of the
 new defense system of email seoul
 craft were much pleased last nfght
 with the result of the aviators' ob.
 servaftons made under circumstance.
 which were adverse and condition.
 that were difficult in the extreme .l HaPhof Mines Swept
 Contrary to the first report whicf
 was made, the mines which wer, planted at the harbor entrance or
 Thursday were located and swept, st
 that from the commencement of tn, ! considerable undertaking or prepar |, ing the mosquito" defense eacf phase of tho training has been at tended with complete success.
 When tho storm broke yesterda,
 there was considerable consterna4ioi on board the vesselp of the fleet il
 the matter of the safety of tho avia
 tors, Thomas w. slocum's stean
 yacht, the Ranger, with Heutenan A. M. Cohen, D, 8. N.. on board, wa. l the last of the craft that put out iron :, the Atlantic Yaoht club to observ, the seaplane. and she carried the in , formation to the battle ship New ter
 sey Meanwhile the Dodger, II, witt
 E. s. Willard on board, and othe motor craft, sped in search of the ali l scouts. The New Jersey was unabl { to establish radio communication with the destreYers because. of stati conditions, SO that the destroyer } could not be advised to assist in tn search.
 N The maHeouvFes were continued af : ter dark, when the mosquito fleet
 with no lights showing, sought to 10 . cate the de6trayers which also re