The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-05-19

Prof Solomon A. Andres to reach the
north pole by balloon in 1897 Andree 5 |
airship disappeared into the north, neither
he nor his two companions ever being
heard of again.
They took the air at $50 Sunday, Green
wich time (l.55 pm Boston time), and
expect to reach the Irish coast in 20 hours
unless some accident forces them to plunge
into the sea.
Hawkers start was made in face OF
| weather conditions which he characterized
as mot yet favorable, but possible Hel
and his navigator gravely considered the
| hazards of the attempt, and decided toI
stake everything on an effort to beat
| the Americans
Hawker got away in a lurching 30o-yard|
run, humping hazardously over the un-
even field The little plane careened and
rocked recklessly until a hummock lifted
it and its wings took the air" for
low, swinging start Hawker was at the
control
The Sopwith began to speed up as soon
as it foated into the air and Hawker
headed straight into the northeast When
he dropped his under carriage he and
Grieve waved a quick farewell
Flying straight, without swerving a hair
from the chosen course, the little plane
faded rapidly from view. In FIVE minutes
it had dwindled to a speck in the sky
and in six minutes it was out of sight be
yond the hills.
When the Sopwith biplane passed from
view beyond the hills to the northeast
headed for the open sea, it left behind
with shattered hopes Hawker's English
rival, Frederick p Raynham, who had
hoped to be first across in a Martynside
plane to win glory and the $4,000 prize
Of the London Daily Mail.
Raynham was tuning up the engine OF
his machine when Hawker flashed over
the Englishmans airdrome, dropping al
| he went the undercarriage of his Sop
with to tighten the load he must carry
Raynham and his navigator, Charles w
81 +. Morgan, realized then that the Aus
= tralian was on his way Instantly the!
! determined to follow him, for all thei
p preparations had been made weeks ago
but misfortune interviewed
10 As the Martynside TAXED" along til
q uneven surface of the runway prepara
n tory to the takc-otf, a rear axle brok
i under its heavy load and the machin
plowcd into the ground.
. Pilot and navigator were jammed j
q the wreckage, but apparently neither wa
i seriously hurt.
70 While Raynham's injuries were bein
~ treated Hawker was we'll on his way.
III If the Sopwith is forced into the sc
Hawker and Grieve have little hone
: rescue. Both men are wearing "wate
tight suits which are designed to kee
them floating many hours, but as the
course is outside the lanes of shippir
70 the chances of their being picked up al
IS virtually nil.
ofI Hawker's wireless set will allow hi
as to receive messages from ships Ion
5e distance off and the radio calls he w
70 be able to intercept will aid his navigate
10 greatly i'll keeping on his course b
15I the sending apparatus cannot transm
over 80 miles, it is said, aud once b
yond the transatlantic shipping lanes
is doubtful whether an s O. S would
~ picked UP by steamer.
q, What was probably the last MESA
pe to the Sopwith from shore was VIII
''e less last night telling Of fresh atmC
pheric depression developing over Irelan
~ 1t was photographed from st. Johns on
ceipt Of meteorological advices from t
open sea
Both Hawler and Grieve said before
G. start that while they expected some ph.
ical and mental strain through the 10
hours III their cramped positions, unbrc
. en- by any prospect Of being able to "spe
each other by changing seats, they hoE
to find some relief
Concentrated rations are being carr
vo. on the Sopwith, for food The fuel s.
1S ply was $40 gallons of gasoline.
\.
For Tho sacon6 tin,a within, two va