Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-13
BAD WEATHER
BLOCKS START
: OF SEAPLANES
Continued From Page One.)

p. m. Started refueling from the
Baltimore Immediately and COM
pleted at a. m. May 9. Made ar
rangements to leave for Trepassey
at 8 a. M, May 9, but discovered
cracked tip on pusher propeller of
NC-3 and three propellers Of NC-1
in similar condition. Obtained four
hubs from Canadian air station and
replaced damaged propellers with
spares from Baltimore. On attempt
ing start on the morning of May 10,
the starter on pusher engine NC-3
broke. Signaled NC-1 to proceed
to Trepassey. Replaced starter and
left Halifax at BIS a. M.
Landing SO miles northeast Of
Halifax, an examination showed
starboard tractor propeller, type
538l, had cracked tip. Returned to
Halifax, arriving at 1880 a. IN. Re-
moved propeller from center tractor
engine and put it on starboard
tractor. Left Halifax at II: 40 a. m.
and proceeded to Trepassey, landing
at $50 p. m. The total time from
Halifax to Trepassey was NC-3, six
hours and so minutes; NC-1, s hours
and So minutes.
Maneuver for Landing.
Each seaplane spent approx
mately 40 minutes naaneuvering for
landing at Trepassey under very ad-
verse weather conditions. Winds as
high as As miles an hour were en-
countered, although fairly smooth
air was found at $500 feet Engines
functioned we'll on both legs. Radio
telegraph maintained excellent com
munication. Navigation was rem
dered difficult by the high velocity
and varying directions of winds and
necessity of flying high to avoid
rough air, but means are regarded
as satisfactory,
"Are engaged in overhauling and
refueling NC-3 and NC-1 and will
start for Azores when conditions
are favorable"
The hydroairplanes will set out on
their transatlantic flight carrying, if
possible, crews of six men instead Of
FIVE as originally>planned and with
extra propellors aboard.
Increase to 2S,8oo Pounds.
The extra men and spare parts
together with a maximum supply of
petrol would bring the weight OF
each plane to 28,B00 pounds, the
commander said, which might prove
more than the | 500 horsepower en-
gines could lift from the water. In
this event, he added, the craft after
a surface cruise in the harbor would
reduce their weight to $4,000 pounds
the official full load.
The proposed enlargement of the
crews and equipment were the re-
suit, Commander Towers stated, Of
the experience gained in the flight
from Halifax when the NC-3 was
delayed in its start and then forced
to return to port after cruising So
miles because of propeller trouble
The planes have been fitted with
belts for the mechanics so that mo-
tor repairs could be made in mid
air.
Base at Ponta Del Gada.
Ponta Del Gada, Azores, May IL.
A Midatlantic aerobase is being
established here, where the Trans
atlantic naval seaplanes will stop
over night. The cruiser Rochester
is coaling, preparatory to leaving
for Lisbon, to establish base there.
Within the next week d Trans
atlantic chain of more than 50 war
craft will be stationed
British Planes Delayed
St. Johns, N. F., May PA con-
siderable area Of depression, two
thirds of the way across tine Allan
tic, reported in meteorological ad-
vice yesterday was declared to Bid
well for continuing the postpone
ment of the overseas flight of Harry
Hawker and Frederick P. Raynham,
British aviators here, for two days
longer at least.
Sailors consider it very unlucky
to iDOint towards anothor shin II