New-York tribune., 1919-05-19
British Filters
Call Own Trip
More / Perilous
Express Admiration for the
American Triumph, but
Say Element of Danger
Virtually Was Lacking
Ne,u York Tribune
Specidl Cable ,Sorr,ce

Special Cable Soruice
Copyright. 1919. New York Tribune Incl
ST. JOHNS, N. F., May l8-Before
they took the air this afternoon Harry
Gs,, Hawker, OF the -Sopwith biplane, and
Captain Frederick p. Raynham, of the
Martlnsyde machine, discussed the sue
cessful flight of the American NC
planes to the Azores. Their remarks
embodied admiration for the American
enterprise, but conveyed the idea that
they regarded their own venture as
far more hazardous.
The two British fiers have followed
with interest the reports of the prog
ress of the United States seaplanes and
spoke warmly of the spirit of the
crews manning them. At the same
time, however. they contended that
no comparison could fairly be drawn
between the American venture and
their own attempt at a direct fight
to Ireland in singled-engine machines.
Only Covered Half Distance @
They said, first, the American sea
plane crews have to make only half
the distance at a jump which the trip
TO the British Isles involves, and the
generous distribution of American
naval ships along fhe route robs the
flight OF any substantial element OF
personal danger. They argued that
this greatly helped the morale of the
alrmen and also assured them facilities
Tor repairing their machines, which en-
JOY the further advantage Of being able
to land on the face of the ocean to
rest and refit. %
They contended that three machines
Tying in concert are able to assist
each other in event of mishap and this
contributes much toward maintaining
the spirit among the airmen which is
large factor in insuring success.
They said also that in event of any
sudden change of weather the sea
plane crews could descend to the near
est guardship and await cessation of
the storm or abandon the voyage en-
tlrely if they thought it necessary.
and also could call to their aid in
event of any mishap these or other
ships which might be in the vicinity.
British Have No Safeguards
On the other hand, the British air
men said, their own venture was some
thing entirely different. Thev said
this without egotism, arguing merely
that facts justify this contention. They
held that their attempt at 2,0O0-mile
flight over the ocean. with no safe
guards whatever, defies comparison.
They argued that flying across the At
lantic without facilities for landing on
the ocean or ships for making repairs
involves a strain on the fibre and
physical stamina of the airmen from
which the Americans were virtually
free.
They emphasized the fact that if
any mishap befalls them they are
powerless to save themselves, and that
they lack wireless to summon aid. so
unless some ship happens to be in
their immediate vicinity they are lost
beyond recall. They cheerfully agreed
that the American fiers showed
splendid qualities in their undertak-
ing, and the fact of their getting
through without requiring to descend
to either the ocean surface or to any
guardship is evidence that the ma
chimes were in splendid condition and
we'll handled. They are probably
equal to a longer flight, and even to
a flight from st. Johns TO the Irish
coast, the British airmen said.
They contended they are proposing
a flight through an area much further
north and far more stormy than the
route the Americans took; that ships
along the route are fewer and the
chances of rescue less, and that, where
as the American machines can make
certain forms Of repairs while in flight
tho least accident to the British planes
means ruin.