The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-13
SEAPLANES ALL
READY FOR TRIP
TO THE AZORES
NC-3 and NC-1 Objects Of
Curiosity as They Ride at
Anchor at Trepassey.
MAY CARRY MORE WEIGHT
Would Like to Wait for NC-4,
but Will Take Advantage
Of Good Weather.
MAY CARRY MORE WEIGHT
Special Despatch 10 Tar SUS.
Special Despatch 10 The SuN.

TREPAssEY, n. F., May 12.-weather
conditions are improving along the
route across the Atlantic so rapidly
that II now seems likely that the two
naval seaplanes here will hop off on
the 200 mile trip to the Azores within
the next thirty-six hours. From the
patrol ships along the route as we'll as
from the meteorological observers on
reports OF favorable weather plainly
indicated in the near future.
A chill wind sweeping down to-day
from the forest topped hills walling
into the northwest. the great harbor
here set whitecapped waves surging
down the bay toward the two big
naval seaplanes, which rode the bill
lows as lightly as albatrosses resting
on the water.
About them. but at a distance pre-
served by the pleasant but business
like commands Of American officers
circlcd the nondescript craft OF the
seafaring people of Newfoundland
sail boats, row boats and motor boats
laden with villagers curious TO see
these ships of two elements. Rumor
whispered that these crafts were des-
tined to be less than a nine days
wonder, for long before the lapse OF
that time, so it was said, they would
be in the air on their way for the
| semi-torrid Azores. Consequently
, visitors came from afar to gaze upon
the wonders.
Their sea trained eyes approved the
sharp curving bow and clean lines OF
| the hull, but gazed with amazeInent at
the great stretch OF wings upheld high
| above the water by the small hull. 1t
was big spread of sail for so small a
bottom. they all agreed, and specialized
| upon the keel. which kept the far flung
wings, heavy motors and tail--its hori-
| zontal and vertical rudders little smaller
| than a scout plane-out OF the reach of
the leaping sea- They admired the
| canny way in which the seaplanes al
| ways headed automatically into the
| wind. no matter how the gusts shifted
and watched with eager eyes when a
mechanic strolled far out upon a wing
| to test a strut or wire
Avoiding Chance of Accident.
It was not a desire to cheat the vii
layers OF a close view OF the seaplanes.
which would serve as a topic Of yarns
! and speculation with the wrecks and
| missing ships OF the past for many long
years to come around hot stoves in
wind swept Newfoundland hamlets. that
caused the naval authorities TO keep the
fear that some injury to wing or
hull might by accident be done by some
overcurious Newfoundlander too inn
pressed to attend to his steering.
The stubborn tendency OF the NC-1 to
incline slightly to one side like listing
ship has been corrected by mechanics,
who adjusted the ailerons OF the big
craft. The trouble was due to the fact
that the NC-l lost one OF her wings in a
| fire and was forced TO use an older wing
| The leaky Easolene tank discovered on
| the NC-3 also has been fixed. so the
ships as they swing in the harbor are
| ready at any moment to shoot along the
rolling waters and hop on on the long
flight.
Experience gained in the trip to New
foundland from Rockaway has led Com
| mander Towers to determine 20 carry
six men on the trip II possible as well
as spare propellers--which SO far have
given him his greatest trouble-and
more gasolene. He contemplates raising
! the gross load OF the seaplanes, that is
! the load including the weight OF the
ships themselves. TO assoc pounds, in
stead OF the $4,000 pounds originally
! calculated.
| The sixth man will be qualified both
as an engineer and as pilot, but he
will be principally needed as AN engi-
neer for It is hardly to be hoped that
| the engines will run without some
! trouble, but trouble that a couple OF
good engineers can nip while still In
the air--in the 1900 mile trip to the
Azores.