The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-08
OCEAN FLIGHT


When the planes were fully mile
away, the even-toned roar of their
huge motors assured officers that they
were working perfectly. The escort
ing scout planes turned back about
three miles from Rockaway and the
three transatlantic flyers sped away
on their great adventure.
Escort of Small Planes.
Five small seaplanes circled about
as the huge air boats roared into the
first jump of their daring trip. A dir
igible also was in the air. These six
craft were expected to form an escort
for the journey as far as Montauk
Point. where the trail leads from Long
Island.
The sky was grey and there was a
mist over the water before the planes
started, but g west wind made start
ling conditions favorable. Reports
from the New England and Nova SEQ
tia coast also made it desirable to
start the flight today.
Naval officers said it was expected
TO make the flight from here to Hall
fax in seven and a half hours.
Change in Ono Crew.
A last minute change was made in
the crew of the NC-4. Chief Special
Mechanic E. H. Howard having his
hand cut off by a propeller blade. His
place was taken by Chief Mechanics
Mate Rhodes.
The flagship" of the squadron was
the NC-3. carrying Commander Tow
ers. The NC-4 was in charge of
Lieut.. Commander Read and the NC-1
of Lieut.. Commander Bellinger.
Personnel of Crews.
The crews were:
NC H. C. Ricnard-
son, Lieut. D. H. Mccullough, Lieut..
Commander r. A. Lavender. Machinist
L. r. Moore and Lieut.. B. Rhodes
NC4-Lieut. E. F. Stone. Lieut.. w.
Hinton. Ensign H. c. Rood, Chief Me-
cha'nic's Mate Rhodes and Lieut.. ]. L.
Breese.
NC-1-Lieut. Commander NJ. A.
Mitcher. Lieut.. T. L. BARN. Lieut.. H.
Sadenwater, Chief Machinist's Mate
c. j. Kesler and Machinist r. Chris
Jensen.
(NC stands for Navy Curtiss," the
make of the big machines.
There was only a small crowd to
witness the start. A few relatives of
the crews, some naval officers and en-
listed men and Q group of newspaper
correspondents saw the machines take
the air. There was no cheering.
Two women standing close to the
waters edge wept the propellers
whirred. They were the wives of men
on one of the planes.
The machines circled about the bay
to get height and squadron forma ton.
Then, with the NC-3 leading the way,
they headed northeast and roared out
of sight submarine chaser churned
the water in hot pursuit with the in
tention of keeping them in view a
short while.
The aviators wore leather clothing,
the dress of the naval flyers.
The exact moment of the start was
9:59 a. m.
1t was announced that they would
follow the coast on the trip to Hall
fax The distance is $40 nautical
Coast Guards Sight Planes
New York, May S.-First reports
from the three navy Transatlantic fly
ers, en- route to Halifax. came from
the coast guard station at Long Beacn,
Long Island, where the lifeguards OBJ
served the seaplanes flying in close
formation at an altitude of about 500
feet.
Bridge of Boats Ready.
Aboard u S. S. Prairie, Trepassey
Bay, n. F., May S.-The American
bridge of boats from Newfoundland to
the Azores for protection of the NC-1.
NC-3 and NC-4 on their transatlantic
flight will be ready by Saturday, &C
cording to prospects today.
Lieutenant Pearce of the British
navy visited the American squadron
and remarked that Pilots Raynham
and Hawker of the British planes near
St. Johns will probably not attempt a
start for some time.