The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-05-27
START Is MADE AMID
SALUTE OF WHISTLES

PoNTA DELGADA, May 27. tBy the
Associated Press. with Commander
A. G. Read confident that he would
reach the coast Of Portugal before dark
ness tonight, thus achieving the COW
eted honor OF making the first trans
Atlantic flight. United States seaplane
NC-i started for Lisbon this morning
at 1918 o'clock Greenwich time, or 6.1S
am. New York time
The crew Of the seaplnne, which was
the same as that which made the mem
orable flight from Newfoundland to
the Azores, boarded the plane an hour
before sunrise, but II was not until sew
eral hours later that the giant machine
taxied outside the breakwater headed
to windward and rose gracefully into
the air. She. circled the harbor and
the cheers from sailors and soldiers who
lined the decks Of the ships In the har-
Dor and the crowds on the piers, to-
gether with the shrieks of whistles from
all the steam craft within sight.
The din OF the salute was kept up for
several moments, the plane meanwhile
speeding on her way and slowly disap-
pearing in the bright eastern sky
The weather was almost perfect this
morning, with the warm spring sun
shining brightly on the waters OF the
bay. There were but few clouds In the
sky and only a slight northwest wind
was blowing. which was favorable to
the flyers. Weather experts predicted
that the plane might encounter cloudy
weather and possibly occasional rain
squalls midway Of the course but this
was not expected to interfere with her
progress.
Lieut.. Commander Read intended TO
remain In Lisbon overnight and start
for Plymouth. England tomorrow morn
Ing, weather permitting.
The course between here and Portu-
gal was marked by IA American de-
stroyers, stretched out along the route
to guide the flyers and Il necessary give
NC-4, which was set for an early hour,
was delayed by trouble with the fourth
engine Of the plane.
On successful flight of the United
States naval seaplane NC-4 from Ponta
completion OF the transatlantic flight
started from Trepassey, N. r., on May
10, this seaplane being the one sur
yiyor Of the three that essayed the trip,
The U. 8. naval seaplanes, NC-1.
NC-3 and NC-4. started from Rocka-
wsy Point n s " ts.I on MAY tvSt on ss
the Atlantic. The NC-1 and NC-3 made
a continuous flight TO Halifax reaching
there In safety. NC-4, however, en-
eountered engine trouble and was
forced to alight on the sea off Chatham,
Mass. 1t was towed into the harbor
and repairs we're rushed there and the
machine was put in shape to continue
Its voyage.
on May IA the NC-4 left Chatham
and arrived at Halifax IN safety, The
next day 1t continued its flight to
Trepassey, n. r.. where II Joined the
NC-1 and NC-3, which had reached
Trepassey May 10.
The three seaplanes left Trepassey
May 16 on their trip to the Azores and
the NC-4 arrived at Horta, In the
Azores. the next day. having been in
the air Is hours.
The NC-1 lost her way in fog and
her crew was picked up by Greek
steamer and taken TO the Azores, the
plane being lost The NC-3, after los
Ing her bearings, alighted on the sea,
from which Commander Towers, in
charge Of the craft. was unable to
rise. After being missing for 81 hours,
the NC-3 entered the harbor OF Ponta
Delgada, Azores, under her own power.
She was 80 badly shattered by the seas
she encountered, however. that she was
retired from the contest, leaving the
NC-4 the sole survivor.
The naval officer In charge OF the
NC-4 Is Lieut.. -Commander Albert
Cushing Read, who ID accompanied by
five companions. From Ponta Delgada
to Lisbon Is approximately 7S6 miles