Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-05-19

plummct near the Martinsyde aIrdrome.
They knew it meant Hawker had deter
mined to tarry no longer, for it left
him without landing equipment, but
lightened his craft for its hazardous
voyage
The twenty hour journey planned by
Hawker would land him on the Irish
coast at about | 30 p. m.. Greenwich
time, tomorrow @ 90 a. M. Philadel-
phia time). He is flying straight for
Ireland, winging his way regardless of
shipping lanes.
Hawker got away in lurching 300
yard run, humping hazardously over
the uneven field. The little plane
careened and rocked rccklcssly until a
hammock lifted it and its wings took
the air. for low, swinging start.
Hawker was at the control.
The Sopwith began to speed up as
soon as it hoatcd into the air and
Hawker headed straight into the north
east. When he dropped his under
carriage he and Grieve waved a quick
| farewell.
! FLYING straight. without swerving n
hair from the chosen course. the little
! plane faded rapidly from view. In five
minutes it had dwindled to n speck in
! the sky and in six minutes it was out
! of sight beyond the hills.
Trying to Beat Americans
. Hawker's start was made in face
of weather conditions which he char.
arteriZed as mot yet favorahle-hut
/ possible He and his navigator
gravcly considered the hazards of the
attempt. and decided to stake every
thing on an effort to beat the Ameri-
cans.
Overnight reports to the meteorological
station had showed increased atmos
phcric prcSSUres. smoother seas and fair
barometer conditions. Although winds
and prcsSUreS were not all they Eoped
/ for. Hawkcr and Grievc ordered their
satchcls packed and made ready for
the start
Hawker considered weight as Of
utmost importance. Lifting Macken-
zic's bag he found it heavy and in
Quired solicitously if he couldn't dis
pcnsc with pa iamaS' on the trip.
When asked if he thought he would
have chance TO sleep during the
voyage. Hawkcr replied:
well have long sleep coming at
the end of it,"
1t was ) O'Clock in the afternoon.
Greenwich time. when Hawker ordered
his Sopwith plane trundled out Of its
hangar for n ground and wind test. Over
in the Quidividi field. nt the other end
Of the city. Raynham had round cross
winds GNypnninn big Atnpt ing Il
take off grounds.
Hawkcr tried ont the SOpwith for n
minute or two and called conditions fol
start good enough" Gricvc agreed
The plane then Vas given a final in
spection.
At 5:Jl. Greenwich time, the Sop.
with was ready.
At . 30 sharp. Hawker gave the worC
and the ground crew "lPt go Tht
little plane jerked forward, then movcC
steadily over the uneven ground.
IIawkrr gathered speed rapidly as h,
bowled over the turf, rocking heavily
At 200 yards he was going fairly well
out swaying badly. \ hummOcl
lifted" him at 300 yards, and with I
From that instant it 'set sail.
! NiHeih6 hiEifl anu HlkHtI. w ltH ll
undercarriage was dropped the littl
group of spectators cried out:
Shes off :"
The wireless sent word of Raynham'
mishap TO IIawker and Mackenzi,
Grieve after they had put to sea. Opin
ion here is tha, one result of the mes
: sage will be the cutting down o.
IIawker's speed, as the Sopwith vii
not be compelled to racing speed nov
; that its rival has been eliminated from
the overseas contest
At the start the sun was only littl,
, soyer two hours beyond the meridian
The living adyentnrers had its aid il
navigating for four or five hours as the,
isped eastward. After that they plunged
into darkness 9Sefhthe ocean With ~