Arizona republican., 1919-05-21

on the way. But We did not pass T single ship until we reached Ponta del Gada. Off the port, we declined prof fered aid by the Destroyer Harding which had been sent out to meet us and 'taxied' into port under our own power.
 During the two days vigil of seek ing land or rescue ships, we fired all our distress signals, none of which ap- parently were seen.
 Without informing the crew of the fear that I had that we would be lost. l packed our log in a waterproof cover. tied it to life belt and was prepared to cast it adrift when the NC-o sanS.
 The nervous strain was terrible while we were drifting and the men smoked necessarily. This was the only thing that kept them awake.
 T believe a trans Atlantic flight is practicable without a stop with planes 3 little larger than the NC type. The engines of all three of the planes worked perfectly and could have run for six thousand miles more. if there had been sufficient fuel on board
 Wire trouble in the instrument board was the mechanical defect ex- perienced by the NC-3"
 WASHINGTON. May 20.-Tugging at anchor in the harbor of Ponta del Gada, Azores, the seaplane NC-4, the lone surviving entry of the American navy for first transatlantic flight honors, awaits only favorable weather for the start of the S00-mile dash to Lisbon. Portugal.
 After three days at Horta- where she landed upon completion of the record breaking flight from New Foundland, Commander Albert C. Reads big ship flew to Ponta del Gada today. covering the 150 miles in one hour and A min utes. This was at the rate of ap- proximately SS miles an hour.
 Rear Admiral Jackson in reporting the arrival of the NC-4, at Ponta del Gada, said the plane. was ok and Flight Commander John H, Towers to- night reported the plane to be in 'eX- cellent condition Naval officials here expect the NC-4 to get away tomor- row, unless weather conditions are very bad. The flight to Lisbon should not require more than ten hours. After replenishing fuel supplies and being overhauled in Portugal, the NC4 will undertake the last leg of the voyage to Plymouth, England.
 NC-4 Sole Reliance Now
 The NC-4 was definitely made the sole reliance of the American navy, in an attempt at this time to cross the Atlantic through the air, through a report received tonight from Com mander Towers at Ponta del Gada, who informed the navy department of the sinking at sea of the NC-1 and the commencement of the dismantling of 1,o 41 -l.; =, plane back to the United States. Pre- vious reports had said the NC-1 was outside the port of Horta in bad con dition and it was presumed by navy officials here that her bow was torn out by destroyers attempting to tow her into port
 It had been thought that the NC-3 despite the damage wrought during C hours spent on a high running sea might be put into shape to resume the flight. Commander Towers evidently after examing his flagship, decided tC leave the field to the NC-4 alone. Naval experts said today that tho performances thus far in the trans
 Atlantic flight have demonstrated thai great strides in aviation have beer
 made from an engineering standpoint
 but that the development of seaplanes
 has not yet reached the stage where they are of demonstrated commercial i value. All apparently are agreed tha
 bigger ships are necessary for trans 1 Atlantic flying.
 Flight Reveals Facts
 . Officials emphasized, however. tha
 the work of Commander Towers
 squadron had been highly satisfactcr!
 and they are convinced that fog aIon,
 prevented all three of the flying craf from reaching the Azores through tn air. The value of the design also wa demonstrated, they said, by the abilit,
 shown by the NC-9 to ride through
 storm.
 It is said that the plane undoubt
 edly would have done much better ha
 they been equipped with geared Lib
 erty motors, that is, motors of 500
 horsepower, but with no greate
 weight than the 400-horsepower en
 zines. Engineers still are working O
 such motor. Another problem whic
 experts are seeking to solve is that c
 gearing the propellers down when tn
 engine is full speed. so as to ge
 greater efficiency. This problem
 similar to that which engineers face
 when the turbine ship engine first wa designed.
 British are Dubious LONDON, May 20, Il D. m.-CBy tn Associated Press)-Up to this hou there is no word of Hawker and hi navigator, Grieve. Not a single repo, has been received from any of tn numerous airplanes, destroyers. min 1 nd iohf of ,1J tions which are sweeping the seas ot Ireland.
 Their task has been hampered b fog and rain.
 In an official communique just i. sued, justifying the attitude of tr government in relation to the cross
 Atlantic flight. which has ended in dis aster, the admiralty warns the publ that in view of the vast areas involvet the chances of finding Hawker an Grieve are very remote.
 The communique, referring to recel criticisms, says that the attitude of u air ministry has been enjoin cautio rather than to urge such attempts, ar while anxious to do the utmost to sa, such gallant and intrepid airmen Hawker and Grieve, the governmel feels bound to warn those who may the future attempt to fly the Atlal tic, that it's resources make it utter impossible that the immense task patrolling 2,000 miles of ocean can l undertaken.
 Morgan Unable to go on ST. JOHNS, May 20.-Captain Cha W. F. Morgan, Frederick P. Raynham navigator, will not be his partner the new trans-Atlantic flight he planning. Morgan's physicians tonigl told him his flying days were ov, and it might take him two or thr, months to recover from the injuries l