New-York tribune., 1919-05-16
28,8OO-Pound Load
Proves Too Heavy
for Seaplanes and
Must Be Cut Down
NC-4 Reaches
lrepassey Bay
Three Fliers Ready
to Start To-day if
Conditions Favor

TREPASSEY BAY, N. F., May 15.-
The evil fortune which has beset the
naval seaplane NC-4 since the start of
the transatlantic flight descended upon
her two sister ships, the NC-1 and
NC3, to-day.
Fearing the NC-4 would not arrive
here while favorable weather conditions
existed, Commander John H. Towers,
admiral" of Americas transatlantic
air fleet, ordered the zone" and "Three"
to start on the long flight across the
ocean to the Azores this evening.
Promptly at o'clock, New York
time, the engines of the two big ships
were started. Four minutes later the
NC-1 started down the bay at terrific
speed, and was quickly lost to view be-
hind the headlands which make the
harbor Eighteen minutes later she was
followed by the NC-3, commanded by
Commander Towers.
An hour and a half later the two
ships were observed returning to their
moorings, having failed to get off the
water with the tremendous load of
28,800 pounds with which they started.
As they came taxying through the
water the outline Of the NC-4 ap-
peared just below the clouds which
hung over the harbor
NC-4 Gets Even Start
Circling over the NC-1 and NC-3,
Lieutenant Commander A. c. Read of
the NC4 man9uvred to seek a clear
landing before descending upon the
waters of the bay. The timely arrva,
Of Commander Reads craft now en-
ables the three machines to take off
together for the transatlantic flight as
soon as Commander Towers gives the
order
The NC4 landed here at 6:37 Halt
fax time (5:37 New York tme) Lieu
tenant Commander Read hoped to have
his machine overhauled and ready to
fly with the other planes if they are
able to get away tomorrow.
The NC1, commanded by Lieutenant
Il.
IF down the harbor at 5: :04 p. M, Hall
fax time (4:04 New York time), hoping
for a getaway. The NC-3, Commander
John H. Towers flagship, followed
eighteen minutes later, to the accom-
paniment Of great cheering from the
crews of the base f1otilla and groups
of NewfoundlanGers on shore.
A short time later, however, both
reappeared. A second attempt to chop
off" was not made, however, and the
seaplanes returned to their mooring
places,
The appearance of the NC-4, which
had been sighted shortly after the
NC-1 and NC-3 TAXED down the har
Dor, was believed to have influenced
Commander Towers in his decision to
postpone the chop off" so that all
three planes might start together.
Arrival of NC-4 Cheered
The NC-4 was apparently unharmed
by her flight from Halifax, but an ex-
animation will be made tonight to
determine whether any repairs are
necessary before the 'big jump"
When she came into the harbor she
was greeted by cheers from the sail
orS ana natives WHO nau 9athereu 10
see the Zone" and "Three" get away.
As soon as the NC-4 had been
moored, Commander Read went aboard
the Aroostook to report to Commander
Towers.
The NC-4 left Halifax this morning
at 9:52. Halifax time (8:52 New York
time), but was compelled to land thirty
minutes later at Storey Head for re-
pairs to the oil and gas lines. She
resumed the flight at 11:47. Her
actual flying time for the 460-mie trip
was 6 hours and 20 minutes, making
her average speed 1875 miles an hour.
Early in the afternoon the two sea-
planes were brought from their moor
lngs and made fast to the stern Of the
mother ship Aroostook. Pipes we're
| taken aboard from the destroyer and
steam was passed thu ough the oil
tanks of the two seaplanes, so that
their lubricatng system would be thor
oughly warmed up before the start was
made.
While the two ships were being
towed over to the Aroos -ook, the NC-1
fouled towing rope. Boats which
damage had been done
Bridge" of Ships Lacks Fuel
Commander Towerss decision to com.
mence the flight across the Atlantic
to-day was governed by two factors
the favorable weather conditions, and
the fact that the patrol vessels en- the
Atlantic are running short of fual. He
said if the NC4 arrived in Trepassey
within twelve hours of the other two
ships start, she would be able to at
tempt the flight also Otherwise the
NC-4 flight would have to be aban.
doned owing to fuel shortage on the
destroyers.
New propellers were installed on the