Evening star., 1919-05-05
PLANES FOR OCEAN
FLIGHT DAMAGED
Fire at Rockaway Beach
Destroys NC-1's Wings;
Spreads to NC-4.
BY the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
NEW YORK, May 5.-Fire at the
naval air station at Rockaway Beach
today damaged the naval seaplanes
NC-1 and NC-4. which were to start
the transatlantic flight.
The right wings Of the NC-1 were
completely destroyed and this plane
may be unable to attempt the ocean
cruise. 1t was believed that the NC-4
could be repaired in time tor the
"jump-off."
Gasoline Ignited by Spark.
The blaze, which Commander John
II. Towers, in charge of the expedi-
ton. declared was accidental. started
from an electric spark, which ignited
gasoline on the NC-1. The flames en-
veloped the wings and spread to those
of the NC-4, which occupied the same
hangar. Air station employees extin-
guished the fire after slight damage
had been done to the NC-4.
The blaze started when workmen
were filing the gasoline tanks Of the
NC-1. Both the upper and lower right
wings. which only recently were
transferred to the machine from the
NC-2, were burned from their frame
work, necessitating complete refitting
of this part Of the big craft.
Commander Towers announced that
the start for Newfoundland. where
the transatlantic flight is scheduled to
begin. would be made tomorrow.
weather permitting, with the NC-3.
very likely with the NC-4 and possibly
with the NC-1.
Destroyers Reach Base.
TREPASSEY, N. F.. May 5.-The
first seven links in the chain of naval
destroyers to be stretched across the
Atlantic by the United States Navy
for its transoceanic flight reached this
Newfoundland base Yesterday from
New York, and after replenishing their
fuel and supplies will proceed to the
Azores. Their orders require them to
reach their stations by May 10.
This f1otilla is to be followed at one
day intervals by two other groups OF
equal strength,
The flotilla navigated 1,100 miles en-
tirely by directional wireless, with
which the giant transatlantic sea-
planes will be equipped. The trip was
said to have been one of the severest
tests this means Of navigation ever
had.
More Aspirants Enter Race.
ST. JOHNS. N. F., May 5. Another
ledHl VI dSplIduIS lOE
flight honors has entered the London
Daily Nails $4,000 prize competition.
Word was received today that Capt.
Alcock. pilot. and Lieut.. Brown.
navigator. are on the steamship
Mauretania. having left Liverpool
May 3, and that their machine, a
Vickers Vimy bomber plane. will fol-
low soon on another vessel.
Advices said also that the Handley-
Page machihe, another contestant.
and it's crew have left Liverpool on
the steamship Digby for st. Johns.
the final destination being Harbor
Grace. where the start is to be made.
The Digby is due here May II.
Meanwhile Frederick P. Raynham
and Harry G. Hawker, British rivals
here awaiting favorable weather in
order to hop OFF," were uncertain
this morning whether they would
start overseas today. Bright skies
and a northwest wind made good fly
ing conditions early in the day, but
there were indications the breeze
would swing to the south by after
noon. Reports from over the Allan
tic were slow in arriving.
Two Expected to Start Tomorrow.
An official report from Commander
John H. Towers to the Navy Depart
ment on the fire at the Rockaway
Beach air station today said the NC-1
could not leave for Trepassey, New
foundland, tomorrow, but that the
NC-3 and NC-4 would get away on
schedule. The NC-1, Commander Tow