The sun., 1919-03-25
.FLIERS START
AT R0CKAWAY
Cross Sea Planes to Follow
Coast and slump OFF" at
Newfoundland.
SEVERAL PLANNING TRIP
Fuel Question May Be Settled
by Taking Supplies at
Azores.

WASHINGTON, March 24.--NavaI sea-
planes which are 90 attempt a flight
across the Atlantic Ocean In May will
start from Rockavay Beach, 0ut the
actual jumping or place will be much
further up the coast, possibly at some
point in Newfoundland. Whether the
machines will steer direct course for
Ireland or follow the longer route via
the Azores apparently has not yet been
determined
Acting Secretary Roosevelt announced
to-day that the destroyer Barney had
been ordered to proceed to Newfound-
land to investigate the harbor facilities
along the coast to determine the best
base from which the planes could put
| out overseas and harbors in which land
| inss could be made in the event II be-
came necessary for them to descend dur
ing the voyage from Rockaway to the
! flight base.
Lieut.. Commander J. l.. Kaufman will
command the Barney, which Is one OF
the most modern destroyers, and Com
mander P. y. l.. Bellinger OF the trans
atlantic section OF the ONCE of the Di-
rector of Naval Aviation. and Lieut.. E.
! F. Stone of the Coast Guard have been
detailed to make the investigation.
Unless difficulties with ice foes are
encountered the Barney is expected to
return to the United States within about
ten days. when the officers will submit
! their report at Washington.
In disclosing that the planes would
leave the naval aviation station at Rock
/ n Mr.
garded as preferable to fly the machines
| to the base to be selected for the flight
rather than to transport them by ship
The aircraft will be refuelled and given
final tuning up before they actually
| depart overseas.
| Several machines are being prepared
| for the flight and two or more probably
will make the start. Three planes OF
! the NC type have been completed and
fourth is nearing completion at the Cur
tiss plant at Garden City. New York. Ex-
| tensive tests OF the NC l have been
made and ffty-one passengers were car
ried ,cS oIe q SSr flights. .....
Whether It will be possible for the
machines to carry sufficient fuel to
drive them across tho ocean has not been
made known. They could refuel at the
Azores without dificulty, and some Of
| hcers believe II would be entirely posi-
BILE under favorable weather conditions
for them 20 replenish their gas supply
| in midatlantc from a ship with which
rendezvous could be arranged before
| hand.
| Detailed plans OF the night are being
carefully guarded. and there has been no
| intimation as 10 whether the machines
will keep together or follow different
routes. In view of the announcement
that destroyers will be stationed along
the route to safeguard the crews In the
event OF accidents. most officers believe,
however. the nying craft viii follow one
course.
The Navy Department has not entered
for the $4,000 prize offered by the Lon
don Daup Mai to the hrst aircraft that
completes a TRANSATLANTIC flight. At the
Depa to-day II was said that no
| inquiries had even been made as to the
conditions under which the offer was
made. Several British Arms and one or
| two individuals are reported TO have en-
tered for this prize. but the general be-
! lief here Is that none OF these will be
able TO make the start in advance Of the
Raval planes.