The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-05-19

with fewer uncertainties for later fly
ers than those which confront pioneers
on the trackleSs way"
In the Sopwith plane Hawker and
Grieve are without landing devices
other than light '-skids. which must
do the work of the under carriage.
The possibility of accident to Hawker's
plane is great, altho he said he ex-
pected to alight in safety. Unless he
drops down gently under the most
favorab BILE conditions, with very short
run he will smash his propeller
and wreck the little craft at the cpn-
clusion of what may be the first trans
atlantic flight.
Death if Plane Falls.
If the Sopwith is forced into the
sea Hawker and Grieve have little
hope of rescue. Both men are wear
ing water tight suits, which are de-
hours, but the chances of their being
picked up are virtually nil.
Hawker and Grieve were wholly
calm at the start. Methodically, and
without the slightest trace of nervous
ness. they climbed aboard their small
craft. and set to work dispassionately.
Hawkerss confidence in his navigator
and in his engine was absolute, he said
quietly.
After a preliminary spin of the mo-
tor Hawker said a feWSfinal words and
then gave orders. to knock out the
blocks from beneath the
craft as he opened wide the throttle.
Radio Told of Rivals Mishap.
The wireless sent word of Rayn-
hams mishap to Hawker and Grieve
after they had put to sea. Opinion
here is that one result of the message
will be the cutting down of Hawker's
speed. as the Sopwith will not be
forced to racing speed now that its ri
val has been eliminated.
AT the start, the sun was only lit
tie more than two hours beyond the
meridian. The flying adventures had
its aid in navigating for four or five
hours as they sped eastward. After
that they plunged into darkness.
Winds Favor the Flyers.
IF we strike Ireland anywhere we
will have found our mark" Grieve
said, "but if we hit England. we will
be nearer home"
Indications tonight were that west
erly winds would favor the flyers for
the first thousand miles of their
course.
Both Hawker and Grieve said be-
fore the start that while they antici-
pated mental strain thru the long
hours i'll their cramped positions. un-
broken by any prospect of being able
to "spell' each other by changing
seats, they expected to find some re-
lief. Concentrated rations are being
carried on the Sopwith for food.
The fuel supply was $40 gallons of
gasoline.
Cause of Accident.
A big factor of the accident to
Raynham's Martinsyde plane was said
to be lack of full wind opposition. He
was trying to take Off on his east
and west field with a wind exactly
north and east. Full head wind is
declared to be essential for a rise
i with a plane as heavily laden as
Raynham's. The weight of the plane
was nearly three tons and the great
theft of it is believed to have
brought it down after a rise of few
feet had been gained. The under
carriage was admittedly weak and
collapsed under the strain.
Raynham would not add to the
statement he had made to friends i'm
mediately after he had recovered from
the temporary collapse he suffered
when his craft broke down. This
statement was:
Il was just beginning to get lift
felt the under-ca carriage weaken and
pulled back on the control stick in an
attempt to assist the machine clear of
the ground. But the propeller struck
and we spilled. Another twenty-five
yards and we would have been away"
Hawker had provided against such
mishap by installing an all-steel I'M
der-carriage on the Sopwith for safety
in taking Off and a device for drop
ping it when well off the ground.
HaWker also had installed a detach-
able primer and hand starting mag
nets both of which were left behind
when he dropped his under carriage.
In contrast with the small group of
persons who saw Hawker start, it
seemed as if st. Johns had poured it's
entire population into Quidividi to
watch Raynham's Martinsyle. In the
attempted take off. Raynham made
his run" down a lane of people who
witnessed the wreck of his machine.