Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-17
many American flags flying.
NC-4 LOO Miles Out.

many American flags flying.
Nc-4 LOO Miles Out.
Washington, May 1.-THE NC-4
leading in the transatlantic fight
passed station %, which is loo mile,
from Trepassey, at SIZE this morning
the navy department was informed
from the Acres.
Get Away at 7:4o p. M.
Trepassey, n. F., May 1.-THE
American naYy's transatlantic flight
started Just before shutdown Thursday.
The three giant seaplanes, the NCl,
NC-3 and NC-4, commanded by Com.
mander John H. Towers, after prepar-
atory cruising about the harbor, took
the air at 74o p. m. anu sped east
ward over the sea quickly disappear
ing over the horizon on their voyage
of approximately loo miles 10 the
Azores.
Plan Eighteen Hour Trip.
Their departure was un0hicialiE
timed as 10:10 p m, Greenwich, or
7.10 p. m Chicago time They are
expected to make the journey in eight
cen and one-half hours if all goes
well.
The NC-3, flagship oftthe seaplane
squadron. with the NC1, delayed the
start originally set for 3 p. m. t5.%l I.
p. IN. Greenwich time), until shortly +
after o'clock, waiting for the NC.tt
to get ready to cast off.
NC-3 First Of.
The NG-S was the rst to start She
TAXED across the harbor for the take
off" at 341 Chicago time.
The NC-l began her cruise across
the bay twelve minutes after the Nc
cast off
Half an hour later the flagship lef.
her moorings the NG-l and NC-3 We're
still cruising on the surface OF the
harbor waiting for the NC-4 to start
Nc-4 Follows Nc-1.
The NC.4 set out forty-ye minute
behind the NC1.
After a twenty-five minutes surface t
cruise the NC-4 took the air and, In
full flight, headed for the open sea
after the NC-3 had failed in two al /
tempts to leave the water. The flag
ship ana the NC-1 were still cruising 4
In tha harbor when the ~ winged Oft :
.oward the east.
All three planes were in the air a
80 Chicago time and few moments
alter disappeared over the eastern q
lorizon al
II was estimated that If all went nj
yell and the aiunen did not enc0un. p,
er strong head winds, they would al
each ponta Del Grade in the Azores m
etween and 10 o'clock this morn. 81
49, New York time. The airmen
the night maintained an
verage speed of 80 miles an hour,
hich was nearly 80 miles an hour
etter than had been set for them. =
High praise is heard on every hand
n the efficiency of the United States -
avy. The three pilots, Commander
H. Towers. Lieutenant Commander :,
atrick Bellinger and Lieutenant Com u
ander A. G. Read, were confident /,
hen they departed that they would n
ing the signal honor of the first
fight to the American 0
ivy. a
The mighty planes got away almost IL
while the crowd on the
aaches and the sailors on the United b
ates war craft in the harbor cheer
and flung their hats into the air. fr
The NC-3 was the first to go aloft, sa
avin gthe water at six minutes after &c
o'clock. New York time.
One minute later the NC-4 arose. lie
+ gigantic motors roaring under full
eed pressure. Vi
At nine minutes after o'clock the ."
~ scared upward maneuyering IN
aceful circles for position. The
rec mighty planes sailed over the &C,
rbor several times, then took a
al formation and the epoch making
5ht was on
Az the airmen passed out of sight Ne
land the wireless began TO snutter IN
d the American relay ships began OF
KING up messages. They were also wi,
'ked up by the Marconi station at Gel
pc Race. Bill
The weather was ideal for the starr ing
the night There was a gentle ant
zee and the sun was shining. MOI
This is fine remarked Conman. t.
Towers, the admiral of Americas
heet. His order for the begin NE
g OF the flight consisted Of two efs
rds, Lets go" oea
---- thi