The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1919-04-15
FLIGHTS ACROSS
ATLANTIC IN MAY
AVIATORS READY FOR "HOP'
ACROSS BIG POND. FLYING
BOATS TUNED UP.

LONG ISLAND.-The best flying
skill of the United States navy has
been summoned to Rockaway Point,
L. l., where final preparations are
being made for the pioneer attempt
to cross the Atlantic ocean in a heav-
ier-than-air machine. All other avia-
ton fields have been drawn on for
their ablest construction engineers,
pilots and mechanics to assist in
tuning up the American machines
which are being relied upon to win
for the United States the distinction
of being the FIRST across"
The start will be made on the first
clear day in May, or as soon thereaf-
ter as the fog belt, which now en-
velopes the Newfoundland coast,
shows signs of clearing. The navy is
placing little reliance on favorable
winds because, at an altitude of
1000 feet, which is to be the average
on the trip across, available data
shows that during only eight days
in May and then only for a quarter
of the time is there a strong wind
bearing to the east.
{ Tuning Up Giant Seaplanes.
Two or more of the giant navy sea-
planes of the NC type will start from
the United States for Europe in the
transatlantic flight The craft have
been completed and each day are
tuned up as if to make the attempt
They are driven many miles to sea
and then are returned to the flying
field, where they receive a close in
spection. During a recent test on
ROckaway beach one of the boats
arose from the water with a load of
10000 pounds, whereas at one time
p 900 pounds were thought to be
the limit. This leads navy experts
in charge Of the flight to believe that
sufficient gasoline can be carried for
nonstop voyage.
The United States is taking no I'M
necessary risks in sending forth the
great NC boats. Each is equipped
with a heavy mahogany and Spanish
cedar boat so that there will be no
risk in landing on the water. Torpedo
boats and mother ships, especially
QUILTED for the care and repair OF
flying boats, will be employed, it is
stated, to guard against possible dis
.aster, should one of the machines be
forced to come down. The boats will
be stationed at intervals of 200 miles
and will serve as guides for the avia-
tors. They also will be a safety line.
Route Not Yet Outlined.
Ice foes along the northern coast
have delayed the taking of observa-
tiOns over the /, 300 miles from Rock
away Point to Newfoundland. This
has led to the assumption that the
United States may not avail herself
of the privilege granted by Great
Britain to start and finish her first
aerial voyage across the Atlantic on
British soil. There IS some possibility
that the southern route, with a land
ing on the Azores, may be chosen.
The voyage then would be completed
on the shores of Portugal. The route
is said to be little longer, but it is
claimed this course may be followed
with less risk.
Lieut.. Hawkler, pilot, and Com
mander Griev, navigator, British
aviation officers in charge of the Sop
with aeroplane in Newfoundland,
have arrived in st. John and have be-
gun assembling their plane, in which
they declare they will attempt an
Atlantic flight, if conditions are IA
vorable, at , p. m. on April 16. The
airmen expect to encounter only sew
/ en- hours Of darkness in their flight
and to reach England without max
! ing a single stop. The fight will be
along the track used by ocean liners.
although no special arrangement has
/ been made with steamship lines for
/ the safety Of the aviators. If their
: machine is forced to descend the
aviators say they will release petrol,
! fill their tanks with air and keep their
machine afioat. They expect to fly at
height Of 10000 feet and thus es-
cape fog and snow storms.
/ Handley Page, the British aviator,
! has entered the lists as a new con-
/ tender for transatlantic honors. 1t is
declared he will attempt a flight late
/ in May or early in June in a 30-pas-
; l.. L