Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-09

PLAN SIhkI StGUNu
LEG TRANSATLANTIC
FLIGHT THIS MORNING
Halifax. n. &. May S-Commander
John H. Towers. who brought the two
giant seaplanes safely to port after a
fight Of s4o miles from Rockaway Point
in nine hours, announced that he ex-
pected to get away tomorrow morning
on the second legt Of the journey. which
VIII take the aircraft toTrerasseyBay.
\. F.. distance Of 400 miles.
Meanwhile destroyers and other craft
are searching for the missing NC-4.
commanded by Lieut.. Comdr A. c.
Read, which fell behind the others be-
cause Of engine trouble. When midway
between the destroyer McDermut. sta
toned at Cape Cod, and the Kimber-
ley. which was No. in the chain Of
craft stationed along the coast to pro-
tect tie airmen in their flight. Read re-
ported that he would be forced to de-
scend because of defective engine.
The McDermut was seen to steam off at
full speed to the assistance Of the NC-4,
but late tonight no word had been re-
ceived aboard the United States ship
u h. AnA{
here, to indicate that she had been
picked up. The airmen reported. how
ever. that at the point at which the
NC4 was compelled to come down the
sea was reasonably calm and they ex-
pected no serious difficulty would be
encountered in rescuing the men or
saving the plane. All the aviators agree
that the first leg of the transatlantic
Journey called for the most severe test
and all are delighted with the way In
which the two hydro-aeroplanes per-
formed. They said the new meteorolos-
lea; equipment stood UP especially we'll.
Strong headwinds were encountered
throwing the planes 30 degrees off their
course. according to Lieut.. Comdr. r.
F Byrd, radio operator in the NC-3. the
first to arrive in Halifax harbor, and
the apparatus recorded perfectly these
diversences, enabling the airships TO
hold to their course with the greatest
ease.
Commander Towers said that the
visibility throughout the trip was
remarkably good and as an Illus
tration cited the fact that the cape
Cod district was spread out BEFORE
them like a map before they turned
east for the Nova Scotia coast The
two planes flew at various attitudes /;
during the trip, the NC-1 ascending
at one point to $500 feet the highest
altitude recorded during the journey.
At times the two planes were out
Of sight Of each other. but they ad.
hered closely to the schedule hxed
before the start and few ND the hAr-
bor within 10 minutes Of each 9TH |
er.
An enthusiastic welcome awaited |
the American aircraft. Captain II.
K. Hines, senior naval officer OF the
port, accompanied by United states |
Consul Young and many Of the most |
prominent residents Of Halifax. were !
abroad the naval tug Iroquois sta
toned near to the entrance OF the |,
harbor. The official party cheered
wildly as the planes took the water. |
while the whistles Of craft anchored
in the harbor added to the din.
Later Captain Hines and Consul |
Young went aboard the Baltimore |
and warmly congratulated the avia-
tors upon their achievement. They |
found the airmen at dinner tired out |
from their days work, but enthusi- |
astic over the performance OF their
planes and eagerly discussing with
Prof. McAdie the possibilities for to-
morrow.
Just before the official party left
the Baltimore lookout reported that
the NC-4 was in sight but the
searchlights OF the ship which yere /
flashed in all directions
over the harbor and on the sky fall
ed to disclose the missing craft.
II the present weather conditions
continGe and a start is made tomow-
row on the second leg Of the trip, tho
aviators plan to hug the Nova Sco-
tia coast until they are of Louisburg
and then head directly for New
Foundland. After the experience
gained in the run to Halifax, the
declared they are abso- |
lutely confident Of completing the |
trip to Trepassey bay on schedule
time.
The arrival Of the planes was most
impressive. It was just at sunset
and the sky was partly overcast with
clouds Of purplish-gray shot with
crimson toward the north while the
water Of the harbor was steel gray.
At ten minutes to eight a tiny
black speck was silhuetted against a
patch Of blue sky to the south in the
direction Of Chebuc-to Head. It
grew rapidly larger until the grace
full contour Of the wings Of the NC-S
were plainly. visible. It scared
swiftly toward the city and opposite
Point Pleasant Park planed down
with hoaring engines. As 1t struck
the water great cloud of irrides-
cent spray shot up.
Still proceeding at tremendous
speed the plane rounded the end Of
MacNab's Island and rusher toward |
its moorings, leaving great burrows
Of foam in it's wake. Here a fishing |
smack crossed the cuorse, necessi- |
tating a detour. but the NC-3 picked !
up its moorings off the former Am
L. u<a