The sun., 1919-05-08
NAVY FLTERS FACE
NEW DELAY TO-DAY
Conflicting Reports on Coast
Weather Make Chances
for Start Slight.
NC-1 HAS WING TROUBLE
Chief Mechanic of NC-4 Has
Hand Severed, but Begs
to Go on Trip.

Gloom in large quantities lowered in
the vicinity OF the naval air station mt
Rockaway Point last night when Com
rsnder John II. Towers. in charge Of the
proposed attempt to fly three NC sea-
planes In transatlantic flight, an
nounced that owing to a combination Of
circumstances the long delayed start
probably would not be made to-day.
Later in the night, however, he sounded
a more optimistic note. when he said
there was slight chance that the three
seaplanes might get under way during
the day. although the start would be
delayed until after 9 o'clock at the
earliest. With dawn to-day the crews Of
the planes will be at work giving the big
machines what may prove to be their last
tuning up for the first leg OF the journey.
which is to Halifax. N. s., a distance or
$40 nautical miles.
First among the combination Of cir
cumstances" referred to Is the difference
OF opinion expressed by the meteorologi-
cal experts as to the kind OF weather
which will prevail along the northeastern
seaboard for the day. While fair flying
weather Is predicted in some quarters
other weather sharps express the belief
that conditions will be entirely the op-
posite and Commander Towers does not
want to take any chances.
Flying Gear Shows Flaw.
Another circumstance was that a test
terday afternoon, showed that the hastily
constructed wing. which replaced the one
recently damaged by fire, did not work
as freely as the men in charge OF the
plane desired. Commander H. c. Rich
ardson, the pilot, and Lieut.. David Nc
Cullough. took the NC-1 for trial
flight. flying low. down Jamaica Bay to
the ocean and back again.
On landing they reported that the
aieron control worked rather stiffiy and
advised that some time be utilized In
improving this adjunct to the plane be-
fore long flight was attempted. This
plane will be given another stiff work
out this morning. and the mechanics are
Of the opinion that the defects COM
planned OF will be remedied at an early
hour. SO that the NC-1 will not delay
further the signal TO start.
The third circumstance caused a shift
in the crew of the NC-4, due to an acci-
dent witnessed by hundreds OF specta-
tors. This mishap cost Chief Special
Mechanic L. H. Howard the loss Of his
left hand. which was cut off above the
wrist b. a whirling propeller blade.
Shortly before o'clock the NC-4 was
brought out for trial and was being
tuned UP by its crew before starting
Lieut.. Commander A. C. Read, In COM
mand. and six members of the crew were
on board, Howard, the engineer was
working on top OF the boat and after
the four engines were started attempted
to take his place in the stern compart-
ment. his regular flying position.
In doing so he endeavored to squeeze
through a small hatchway under one of
the stern propellers. To steady himself
he placed one hand on top of a propeller
guard. Before he knew what had &C.
CURED a number of spectators near by
saw the propeller. the blades of which
were revolving at a speed OF 400 miles
an hour, cut through his wrist, severing
the hand.
Injured Man IL Game.
Howard appeared to feel the shock a
moment later and looked at the MANNED
arm with an expression of establishment
IN his face. He got to his feet, still gaz-
Ing at his arm with a puzzled look, while
those near the plane signalled Lieut..
Read and other members OF the crew to
STOP the engines. This was done as soon
as possible. and when several friends
rushed to the assistance of Howard the
chief mechanic waved them aeide with
his uninjured arm and the cheerful
statement. II am all right. boys"
He then grasped his arm above the
wrist to stop the flow OF blood and
calmly walked TO the pontoon AID OFF
h.
the reaction cause Howard to fail into
the water and again endeavored to aid
him, but the plucky engineer said he
would walk to the hospital. where the
doc. will fix me up in no time"
Eight minutes after this accident.
Just TO prove that the men in charge
OF the proposed flight are not to be
daunted by long series of heart break
ing accidents and delays. the NC-4 was
gliding down the bay in practice flight.
II remained away from the station for
an hour and twenty minutes. landing
on the water and resuming its flight
several times.
Howard went on the operating table
AZ the station hospital and conversed
cHeerfully with the surgeons while his
injury was being attended. He said he
had witnessed his brother lose both
hands in a similar accident. Leaving
me hospital with his arm in a sling and
only slight pallor on his face as a
result Of the accident Howard walked to
The spot where the NC-4 had been and
expressed disappointment that it had
started on its test spin without him.
Ihen he encountered Dr. Olmstead, in
Nentor Of the propellers on the naval
planes, and laughlngly remarked:
Your propellors are all right, Doc, "
While Conversing with DR.. Olmstead.
Commander Towers approached the en-
sineer and was about to express some
words OF sympathy when Howard raised
hlS right hand in salute and said:
hope II rains for two weeks, Com
nandcr. | want to go on this flight and
Hnow that in two weeks I'll be o. X.
again"
Commander Towers did not have the
heart 10 tell Howard that II would be
impossible for him to accompany the
'oat on Its epoch making night as his
pace had already been taken by Chief
Machnists' Mate E. s. Rhodes.
Fortitude Cheers Men.
T. was not until Commander Towers
issued formal command to Howard for
nm to proceed to the Brooklyn Base
hospital that the unfortunate engineer
'e't the scene OF his labors. 1t required
another direct command before Howard
would get inside the ambulance. He
wanted 70 sit up with the driver.
he stolcal manner in which Howa d took
upon the morale OF the gobs and the Of