The Bamberg herald. [volume] (Bamberg, S.C.) 1891-1972, 1919-04-10
FLIGHT ACROSS
ATLANTIC OCEAN
THE FIRST SUCCESSFUL TRIP IS
NOW IMMINENT.
Compete For Distinction
Is is a Matter of Chance as to Wheth-
er America, England, France, Italy
or Germany Will Win.


America. has been arrested by a
breakdown of the machinery of Lieu
tenant Fontan's Caudron. This
means simply postponement, and
attempt to cross the South Atlantic
is almost certain to be made shortly.
To those in northern climes this will
lack something, even if successful,
of. the full achievement. A trans
Atlantic flight, to the great majority
of the people of the northern hem
isphere, means the passage between
some point in North America and
some point in Europe, or an air voy-
age between these continents over
the great routes of transatlantic
ocean traffic. Still, Lieutenant Fon-
tan's success would take some of the
spice out of the desired accomplish
ment; at the least, it would be the
first flight between the eastern and
western hemispheres, and all later
successful ones, no matter how much
nearer the popular ideal in achieve
ment, would call for a little note of
explanation.
The first steamship voyage was
made between Savannah and Liver
pool. The first Atlantic cable was
laid between Ireland and Newfound-
land. 1t has long been a fond ex-
pectation that the first trans-Atlan-
tic flight would follow either the line
of the great eastern or the wake of
modern ocean greyhounds between
Liverpool and New York, whether
westward or eastward bound.
1t is known that Great Britain has
now, and practically ready for flying,
three over-ocean-going airships. The
latest of these is the R-80, now re-
ceiving some final attention in the
aerodrome at Barrow-in-Furness.
This is a rigid machine and is said to
be the last word in aerial construc-
tion. A detailed description of the
craft reveals how far ahead even of
popular imagination the construction
of airships has gone. The hull is of
steamline shape, and is equipped with
three bow mooring attachments.
which enable the ship to be moored
out from a bower in such manner
that it is 'left free to turn in any di-
rection and lie with the wind" as
an anchored steamship amidstream
might swing and lie with the tide.
Four cars are attached to this hull,
a control car forward, a passenger
car, and two wing cars for machin-
cry. The control car is large enough
to accommodate all navigating con-
trolls, instruments, and navigating
crews. Then there is a special type
of buffer bag and bouyant covering
fitting to the forward car and to
each of the machinery cars. These
will enable the airship to float on
water, and they become shock absorb
ers when landing In every other way
devices to insure safety and comfort,
the results of recent invention, are
availed of, and the vessel, when she
puts forth upon her maiden voyage,
will apparently be as thoroughly
equipped as the latest floating palace
from the yards of Belfast or the
Clyde.
The vessel is one of trio likely
to speed across the ocean from Eng
land early this summer. Announce
ment has already been made of four
ocean-going aeroplanes Of United
States naval construction, all OF
which are expected to be in commits
sion early, perhaps in time to anticl-
pate a SUCCESSFUL Zip OFOA ShS ~@e
lantic by British airship or aero
plane. So far as the United States
and Great Britain are concerned, any
rivalry that may be developed in this
connection will be entirely friendly,
and as much be said for such compe-
tition as may later be attempted by
France and Italy. 1t is not believed
that either of these latter nations Will
be prepared to make the traHs-Atlan-
tic attempt in aviation early this sum-
mer, although it is no secret that
both will be ready for the venture,
should Great Britain and the United
States fail in the enterprise or too
long postpone it. It is a matter OF
knowledge, too, that at Doberltz'
Germany, new large Slemens-
Schockert biplane is now undergoing
trials "ostensibly with the view ultl-
mately making a bid for the trans
Atlantic record" This machine as