The sun., 1919-06-01

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fortunate sister ships Of the NC-4,
and the equally hearty handshakes
of the American officers Of the Roch-
ester, there were kilograms and cables
by the dozen waiting for the happy
commander and crew to read. Among
them was q missive Of cordial con-
gratulations from Secretary Daniels.
"Our trip really was uneventful,"
Lieutenant Commander A. G. Read
said to the correspondent. I'VE knew
we would have trouble with fog, and
did, but otherwise everything went on
ms we had planned.
"Our machine worked perfectly ever
since we left Newfoundland, with the
exception of our little radiator leak
yesterday"
"AiI the Comforts Of Home"
Lieut. James l.. Breese Jr., of Califor-
mia, the reserve pilot-engineer, said;
I'VE had all the comforts Of home
on the old boat. We had comfortable
hunks in which we took relays for
sleeping. Hot water from the radiator
faucet near the hunks helped to make
shaving easy.
1--WE knew when we were near de-
stroyer, as Rod Ensign Charles Rod
OF Cleveland, Ohio. radio operator).
would Cell US the radio was getting
stronger. Then In a few minutes We
would feel q distinct bump and we
knew we were over one. It seems
that the heat or smoke from the YES
sci has an effect on the air seven or
eight hundred ffet up. and this
caused the bump.
81 never was nervous once during
the trip, but 1 admit have been on
shorter flights. The machine did
everything we ASKED Of it. think
you can fly anywhere with a Liberty
motor"
In telling OF the last leap of his sea-
plane Commander Read said that
shortly before reaching Brest on his
way across the Bay of Biscay the fog
became very thick This must have
secretly chilled the hearts Of the men
aboard, although no one mentioned II,
for It was fog which brought down
: both the NC-1 and NC-3 at the Azores.
Fear must have gripped the men, fear
that the evil genius of the NC-4 was
about to grip them at the very moment
OF victory.
Circles Over Brest.
But no word of this uneasiness was
voiced in the flying plane, which con-
tinued through the mist, her pilots
fighting hard against the fog which
was robbing them Of all sense OF d.
rection. vertical as we'll as horizontal
II is in such moments that before the
pilots realize 1t plane dives down
ward In a disastrous crash.
Coming down until the water could
dimly be discerned. the seaplane pur-'
sued her course. She clrcled over the
shipping in the harbor OF Brest, just
over the sky pointing masts Of the
vessels, and then passed directly over
the Ushant llghtship. Then she came
even lower, never higher than 200 feet,
and at times SKINNED along at so or
100 feet above the crests OF the uneasy
Channel. The speed made from Ferrol
was a very creditable rate considering
the hazardous fog through which the
seaplane was travelling. Before drop
ping into the Sound the NC-4 passed
directly over the spot from which the
MdyIioNcE Sdllcu Will CdEBS VI
Pilgrims to people the new world
which was to fly back to the old on
wings then undreamed Of
Greeted by British BIuejackets.
After brief reception aboard the
Rochester, Commander Read and his
crew were taken to the Aroostook, Where
they doffed their flying clothes before
proceeding to Mayor J. =. Browns re-
ceptton at the Mayfower Stone. The
parade leading TO the pier was lined
with British blueiackets from men-of-
war and shore stations. Behind the lines
of bluejackets was an immense gather
ing of townspeople On the gayly dec
GRATED pier a bluejacket guard OF honor
was drawn up under a canopy of allied
fags. The Royal Garrison Artillery
Band played American and British
anthems.
Mayor Brown arrived In state. accom-
panied BY three mace bearers. He wore
a cooked hat and crimson robe lined
with fur and the heavy gold Mayoralty
chain. With him also were the Deputy
Mayor in gorgeous purple robe and the
bewigged Town Clerk.
British and American officers stood
with the Mayor to receive the Meas
crew. As their boat drew alongside the
Banner" and God Save the King" and
the crew then advanced TO meet the
Mayor.
In his first greeting to Commander
Read and his men. the Mayor Of Ply
mouth said:
1T is with profound gratitude that
I here today on behalf of old Plymouth,
from which the Mayfiower sailed three
hundred years ago. welcome you after
your tremendous and wonderful flight
over the waters separating US. I think
/ can speak with the voice of England
in expressing great admiration for your
achievement and in welcoming to these
shores our American cousins"
IT am satisfied that the events we are
celebrating to-day are but the pre-
cursors of further great Developments
and that your achievement will go down
In history not only as a great triumph
over the elements, but as tending to
strengthen the relationship between the
two countries"
Dined by British Airmen.
The Royal Air Force dined the Ameri-
can flying men tonight. Lieutenant
Commander Read. replying to a toast
TO his health. said:
II appreciate everything that has been
done for us, and will say that Plymouth
has proved to be the climax of the whole