The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20

hours as bravely as any naval officer in
the Department.
II am 70 glad and so relieved to hear
the splendid newsr' Mrs. Towers ex-
claimed when she first heard OF the ar
rival OF the NC-3 from the Secretary's
lips. II have been tremendously anx-
ious. but nevertheless supremely conf
dent that my husband would come
through all right"
After relieving the anxiety of Mrs.
Towers the Secretary despatched the fol-
lowing message to the leader OF the
transatlantic venture:
81 knew you would make 1t. Heart
lest congratulate OH your plucky and
successful flight. Just told your wife
the news. Congratulate other command
ers and crews for 80 splendidly up
holding the navy's traditions Confident
ly expect at least two planes to reach
England on schedule"
But Commander Towers was relying
on no one to inform his wife of his
safety. Shortly after the secretary's
phone call Mrs. Towers received the
following from her young husband:
Safe and WELL
Just to round out the happiness of
the navy. both in Washington and in
many other parts of the sea and land,
Secretary Baker sent to Secretary Dan
iels the following message:
THE army welcomes you home and
promptly congratulates the navy upon
its great exploit"
Messages TO the Navy.
The log of messages received by the
Navy Department to-day from Rear Ad-
miral Jackson at Ponta Delgada was as
follows:
9:5S A. NJ: Following instructions re-
oeived from Rochester: Use all avail
able destroyers west of Ponta Delgada
and NC-4 IL practicable to make organ
ICED search for NC-3." 0S 40 G. NJ. r.,
4:40 A. NJ, New York tiRe.
500 A. NJ, Fairfa1 standing by
NC-1 thirty miles east of Corvo. Both
wings smashed, one pontoon missing.
Bellinger reports Il will not be in con-
dition to fly. 0s 40 @. NJ. T. 4;30 A,
NJ, New York time.
IL :05 a. NJ Scouting line position at
OF 80 G. VI. r. Lat. SO so north. Long.
IS AS west. Course 27o. true, speed 8
knots. 1890 q. NJ. T. 9 40 A. NJ, New
York time.
l1:44 A. NJ Stockton has seven do
stroyers with her on search. Speed Is
knots. II 40 G. NJ. T, TAO A. M, New
York time.
IL 40 n. NJ. G>OI pIaClISdUio "
ploy NC-4 on search. She will proceed
to Ponta Delgada as soon as weather
permits preparatory TO fight to Lisbon.
10 so G. NJ. T.. so A. NJ, New York
time.
1875 T. M-NC-4 will leave for Ponta
Delgada as soon as the weather is suit
able. At present heavy. soually, and
rains prevailing. 1t Is doubtful II NC-4
can start to-day. II 81 @. NJ T. T:5o
A VI. New York time).
2:2 p. M-NC3 sighted on water
seven miles from Ponta Delgada under
own power. 16:l1 G. NJ. T. Ga 10 p. N.
New York time).
2:38 p. M--Weather at noon. baron
eter 1904, rising now steadily; wind
west. rs miles an hour. Visibility ~
miles. Moderate sea- Forecast Tor af-
ternoon. generally fair. with possible
small local rain squalls. with slight in
crease OF wind. Wind between 245 and
S25 degrees and 20 to 80 miles 2:19
G. NJ. T. (S:19 A. NJ. New York time).
3 :3o-Following orders given: Scout
Ing line too far west. Should search to
eastward with despatch" IA 10 G. M. r.
90 10 A. NJ. New York time).
BcllinEer's story OF Flight.
Had IL not been for the unexpected
fog around the Azores the NC-1 would
be at Horta or Ponta Delgada, 100 miles
further on, in perfect condition., instead
of q helpless wreck tossing heavily in
the ocean and sinking deeper each min
ute as her stained hull slowly admits
water. This is the statement of Lieut.
Commander Patrick y. L. Bellinger, her
commander. Bellinger and the five
members of the crew, eut-Commander
NJ. A. Mitscher, Lieut. l.. T. BARN,
Lieut.. H. Sadenwater, Chief Machinist's
Mate C. 1. Kesler and Macilinist Ras-
mus Christensen, are still on board the
cruiser Columbia, supply ship at Horta
worn out after afteen hours In the air
and more than fve tossing on the rough
sea.
Lieut. Commander Bellingers story,
told in the curt language OF the sea, re-
veals much which he himself does not
| state. For two hours the NC-1 strug-
| sled about in the fog. her pilots help
less s blind men and the plane in I'M
| minent danger of falling into n nose
| give because of the difficulty OF retain