New Britain herald., 1919-05-16
NC-1 and NC 8, and Possibly NC-44, Expected to Flop Ofi" for Second Leg
 Of Journey
EQUIPMENT IS CUT TO
 AVOID EXCESS WEIGHT

NC { Which Arrived at Trcpasscy From Halifax Last Night, is Being Repaired As Rapidly As Possible
 and if it Does Not Leave With
 Other Machines it Will Follow
 Soon After.
 Trepassey, N. F., May 16.-With the weather along the route to the Azores the best yet reported, the American navy seaplanes NC 1 and NC will attempt to start the transatlantic flight at about o'clock this alter noon, Newfoundland time G:3O D. m. New York time) Commander Towers announced this forenoon.
 Repair Made on NC 1.
 Meantime repairs were being rushed on the NC which arrived last evening from Halifax and if they are completed in time, she will hop off with her sister planes. If not Lieut. Commander Reads flier will follow as soon as possible.
 Equipment is Left Behind.
 The aviators held a conference to decide means of lessening the 28SOO pounds Burden which contributed yes terday to the inability of the NC 1 and NC to rise from the water and to select a place for the take-off
 It was decided to attempt the ocean flight with the planes weighing 28,20O pounds. leaving behind spare pro- pellers and cutting down the gasoline supply from 1,78O to 1880 gallons.
 Will Brave Choppy Sea.
 Despite the danger of spray from the choppy seas breaking the pro- pellers, the airmen determined TO "hop-of from Mutton Bay the har- Dor being too small to permit the nec- essary surface cruise at high speed Lieut.. Commander Richardson and Lieut.. Darin went over. the Mutton Bay course in a launch.
 During the morning the center motor on the NC 4 of low pressure type was removed and one of the new Liberty engines was substituted. the discarded motor having given trouble on the trip from Halifax. Three new propellers and several new struts also were placed on the machine.
 Thursdays Trial Fails.
 In speaking of the unsuccessful at tempt to take the air late yesterday Commander Towers said the NC-1 and NC3 got a little too far out into the harbor and added that he thought they would have made a good start if they had attempted to rise nearer shore. He denied that the NC-3 had been damaged but said she was lowed in by motor boat to save her en- zines for another try today.
 NC-4 Arrives All Right.
 The NC-4 alighted in the harbor ct 7:0S last night Newfoundland time) after a flight from Halifax, a distance of 537 land miles, in six hours and 23 minutes actual flying time. The sea- plane f1Oated on the surface of the water for two hours and 23 minutes when forced to aligA>t IS miles from Halifax by one of her engines failing The NC-4 maintained an average al- titude of 2,500 feet during the Hali- faX-Trepassey flight
 Mechanics Working Hard
 Mechanics who worked all night on the NC-4 were still busy this morning with engine and proreller tests hop ing to have the plane ready to start for the Azores this afternoon with the NC-1 and NC-3.
 As result of the failure of the NC-1 and NC-3 to take the air whom they got under way for the Azores yester- day it was expected the take-off will be attempted inside the harbor. The rough seas at the mouth of the bay dashed over the heavily laden planes, chilling the aviators to the bone and threatening to play havoc With the steering apparatus.
 t,1~je. able for the flight, clear skies and q fresh west wind prevailing.