New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1919-06-01
Return Sea Flight
Still Undecided
Future Disposition of
NC A Is Unsettled.
Says Secretary Daniels
NeW York Tribune
W0ah D.

Ne,p York Tribune
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON, May 31.-"Has the
department. any further instructions ?"
This inquiry, contained in the dis
patch received at the Navy Department
this afternoon from Admiral Plunkett.
commander Of the American DESTROYER
force, announcing the safe arrival of
the NC-4 at Plymouth and the success
tul completion of the historic trans
atlantic flight, found naval officials
unable to respond Immediately with
suggestions of new feats of the air
TOR Lieutenant Commander Read and
his shipmates to achieve.
No further instructions have vet
been dispatched to Admiral Plunkett.
nor has a decision been made by the
Navy Department on the point Of at
tempting return fight to this coun-
try by the NC4, or shipping the sea-
olrd back to the United States, as has
been ordered in the case of the NC-3.
When asked if the navy would at
tempt return fight, Secretary Daniels
parrled the question, saying the navy
was unable at this time to make def
mite announcement Of future activities
of seaplanes.
No Decision, Says Daniels
I'VE have made no decision vet on
what to do with the NC planes, but
are considering all phases of the mat
ter Mr.. Daniels said.
Naval aviation officials, however. did
not share with Secretary Daniels the
apparent indecision he displayed. All
were enthusiastic about future laurels
to seek in navigation of the ar, and
no doubt was evident that the NC type
OF seaplanc would, with alterations. be
capable of a nonstop flight across tho
Atlantic. return flight by the NC-A
or the NC-3, which is being discussed
IL London, was held by naval officials
to be inadvisable at this time, however,
because of the obstacles that may be
met In weather and sea conditions on
the westward course.
What We have learned by the trips
OF the NC planes firm Trepassey Bay
to Europe has provided the Navy De-
partment with complete information
that will be used in future operations
Of the seaplanes," said one high off
clal of the Aviation Service of the
navy. Transatlantic flying in the
very near future will be much easier
Of accomplishment by reason of the
data gathered by the cruise of the
three seaplanes, and the American navy
undoubtedly will follow up the his
tcrlc flight just ended by inauguratlng
more exploits of the air."
Noyx, 0fGc:oy. Y.L:V-x
While complete reports have not vet
been received by the department from
Commanders Towers, Bellinger and
Read on the difficulties they encoun-
tered navy officials, in comparing the
actual accomplishment with what the
department planned, were overjoyed at
the result. They declared the flight es-
tabhshed definitely that the NC type
OF seaplane is capable of outstanding
all the obstacles that the sea or air
holds for flying ships, and that altera-
lions to increase the fuel supply is
the only thing necessary to make the
craft capable Of continued flight
across the seas.
Upon receipt Of the news of the
NC-4s safe arrival at Plymouth, Secre-
tary Daniels to-day sent Commander
Read the following cablegram of con-
gratulations:
"All the people of America are happy
over your successful flight, which has
been an epoch-making event in the his
tory of the world. My congratulations
and greetings and good wishes"
The Navy Department received to-
day the following cable from Admiral
Knapp at London:
an a letter from the British Ad-
miraliT icy state that This mornings
new ~~ the epochmaking intell-
.a" pace between America
- now been successfully
81 - by way of the Azores.
1t Great pleasure that their
lordsh;ps have learned of this success,
and they desire me to offer their con-
gratulations to the crew of the sea-
plane NC4 and to the United States
naval air service on the fine achieve
ment"