The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-04-29
EWPERSONNEL 0F TRANS0CEAN
 ATTEMPT GIVEN Three Airplanes Will Set Out Together From New fOundland in Effort to
 Reach Europe
By Assoeiated P-sss

New York, April 2S.-1hc navy
 department announced here tonight
 tho personnel of tkc aviation crews
 live to plane--who will attempt
 early next month to cross the At-
 Iantic in three huge hydroairpIanes.
 Commander J. H. Towers. Lieut.. Commander A. C. Read and Lieut..
 Commander F. N. l.. Bcllinger will
 be the plane commanders, with the
 first named in general charge of
 the expedition.
 The airships, the NC-1, NC-3 and Net. after a flight from their home station at Rockaway point on Long S. land to a base established by the navy off the New Foundland coast, will set out together in an attempt to reach a European destination not yet made public. It is generally believed that the planes will touch at the Azores and again off the Portuguese coast, there resuming the air cruise to the British Isles.
 Officially, it was stated at Rockaway y Point, that no land stops would be made At the New Foundfand base and wherever else the machines may de- scend, they will be moored while await ing resumption of the flight, as erection of appliances to haul the craft cul ol llHe WdteT W0ulu require Hlscn time and entail heavy expenses.
 The planes, only one of which is now In operation. have a span of 126 feet and are driven by four high compress sion liberty motors. The ca made a successful trial flight today. The N C-1, which has been in service, is undergoing alterations, while the N CA, new ma chine, is expected to be ready to take the air tomorrow or Wednesday. Com y,f <,f fhN stated that until he returned Wednes- day from a conference at naval head quarters in Washington he would be unable to announce definitely the date of departure and the transatlantic route.
 WEEKS WATT EXPECTED
 He said. however, the 1,15O-mile flight to New Foundland. which was not con sidered part of the ocean voyage, would be taken in easy stages. The three planes probably would start from Rock away in a squadron, he added. though this was not essential, and might de- scend at a place already selected on the trip north. He expected approximately weeks wait at the Newfoundland sta- ton. provided there were no delays on the way there For the trans-sea flight, he said. it was important that the fliers keep within sight of each other. so as to simplify communication With the de- stroyer patrol to be stationed all the way across the Atlantic.
 Of the patrol vessels, the commander stated. a number had already sailed, while others would leave New York and other ports within a few days
 So far, Commander Towers said, plans for the flight had followed schedule arranged in detail February "A.
 The airships crews the commander stated, would include commanding of ficer, navigator, two pilots and d radio officer. In addition reserve pilot will board each plane for the trip to New fCundland, to assist in adjusting minor defects in the nlechancism. if any oc- cur, and to meet any emergency such as illness among the regular crews.
 In addition to the commanders, Com mander Towers announced the personnel of the expedition as follows:
 Crew No. 1-Pilot commander, H. C. Richardson; pilot, Lieut.. D. Il. McCui- lough radio operator. Lieut.. Command CT R. A. Lavender: engineer, Machinist l.. R. Moore; reserve pilot engineer, Lieut.. B. Rhodes
 Crew No. 2-Pilet, Lieut.. k. F. Stone: pilot Lieut. w. Hinton; radio operator, Ensign H. C. Rodd; engineer, Chief Spe- cia1 Mechanic E. H. Howard; reserve pi- lot engineer, Lieut. ]. l.. Freeze.
 Crew No. 3-Pilot, Lieut.. Commander M. A. Mitscher; pilot. Lieut.. r. I. Barin; radio operator, Lieut. H. Sadenwater; en- gineer, Chief Machinist Mate C. I. Kes- Ter; reserve pilot engineer. Machinist E. Christensen