The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-09

still I'm full cry. their rhythmic roar In
dicating that they were warming UP 10
their work without developing any OF
those defects which are most apt to APP
pear in the first hour or two OF flying.
The fight began at the end of night
spent-as all the nights OF the present
week have been spent at Rockaway-in
going over the planes with the most
scrupulous care. Every part OF plane
and engine was inspected, and right up
to the time Of the trial flight of the NC-S
at 1880 In the morning abe was being
groomed for the long journey. While
hhe was soaring through the air in
flight Of seventy minutes, Lieut. Com
mander Bellinger was busy correcting
the compass by which he was to navi-
gate the NC-1. for any deviation caused
by the engines or metal work OF the
plane. To do this the big plane was
lined UP on the concrete platform on the
marking indicating magnetic north.
while Commander Bellinger studied the
positions OF the compass needle.
When the NC ships start for the
Azores after their arrival at Newfound-
land tomorrow night-for the pro-
gramme calls for the Halifax Newfound-
land hop" to-day-they will be shoot
ing at very small mark. Travelling at
four or Ave times the rate OF the fast
est ship. any mistakes made In naviga-
ton will take plane far out Of line
of the islands. For this reason not only
the compass and sextant are relied upon
for bearings. but also the wireless diree-
ton finder. which can locate exactly the
direction of any land station. Knowing
the bearings OF two or more land sta
lions the position OF the ship over the
ocean can be determined.
Following the correction OF the COM
pass OF the NC-l Commander Bellinger
took her aloft for a twenty-five minute
flight, during which he tested out her
flares, designed to make a night landing
possible. The flares at the bow of the
boat cleaned in the morning light like
miniature suns, but their full strength
could not OF course. be realized in the
daytime
Long before the flight was determined
upon, the few spectators were assembled.
Besides Commander Irwin, Commander
A. X. Atkins. head of the aviation sec
ton OF the Bureau OF Steam Engineer
ing, which is responsible for the power
plants OF the planes, also came on from
Washington.
Glenn H. Curtiss. builder Of the planes
Commander @. c. Westervelt. who had
much to do with the construction OF the
hulls OF the ships: Mrs Richardson,
wife OF Commander IL. G. Richardson.
pilot on the NC-3 and her little daugh-
ter Margaret Jane; Mrs. Ida Harding.
aunt Of Lieut.. BARN, pilot on the NC-l,
and Lieut.. Commander George r. Muir
ray. commandant of the naval aviation
Station r g.
Olmstead, designer of the propellers used
by the seaplanes. and Herbert Satterlee,
formerly Assistant Secretary of the
Navy. and Mrs Satterlee. also we're
present.
When the planes leave for the Azores.
1900 nautical miles distant from the
starting point at Trepassey Bay. New
foundland. they each will weigh $500
pounds, for they will carry two tone
more of gasolene than they did yester-
day. In addition. instead OF seven men
the flagship of Commander Towers will
carry only five, who. besides the COM
mander will be Commander Richardson
and Lieut. David H. Mccullough. pilots
Lieutena nj C Commander r. A. Lavender,
radio operator. and Machinist l.. r
Moore. Lieutenant Commander r. f.
Byrd. who was on board yesterday to
conduct special navigational expert
ments. and Lieut. B. Rhodes, reserve pi-
lot engineer. will be dropped at New
foundland.
Lieut.. J. L. Breese will quit the crew
Of the NC-4 at Newfoundland, leaving
II composed OF L!eutenant-Command
A. C. Read, commander and navigator;
Leuts. II. r. Stone and Walter Hinton.
pilots: Ensign II. c. Rodd. radio opera
tor, and Chief Machinsts Mate L. S.
Rhodes.
From the crew OF the NC-l Nachinist
r. Christensen will be eliminated, leav-
ing acknowledgements Bellinger.
navigator; Lieutenant Commander NJ. A.
Mitscher and Lieut.. l.. T, BARN. pilots;
Lieut. II. Sadenwater. radio operator,
and Chief Machinist's Mate c. 7. Keslef.
engineer. to make the next leg In the