Evening star., 1919-05-13
ERRAT|C WEATHER
BALKS SEA FLYERS
Prospects for "Hop Off" To-
morrow Declared ''Best
for Some Time"
NC-4 STILL AT CHATHAM
By the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
TREPASSEY, n. F., May 13-Re-
ports of high seas in midocean, with
easterIy winds over the western half
of the American Navy's transatlantic
fight route, made it highly improba-
BILE that the seaplanes NC-1 and NC-3
would take the air today for the
Azores. In this vicinity wind and
visibility conditions were poor, but
weather observers declared the pros
poets for tomorrow. both off the coast
and at sea, were "the best for some
time"
NC-4 Also Hesitates.
CHATHAM, Mass, May 13.-Weath-
er conditions this morning were still
-unfavorable for flying and officers at
the naval air station here said there
was no likelihood that the hydroair-
plane NC-4 would resume its trans
atlantic flight today. The NC-4. which
started from Rockaway with the NC-3
and NC-1 now at Trepassey. N. F., was
compelled by engine trouble to put in
at this station last Friday.
Dispatches to the Navy Department
today from Trepassey bay indicated
that the naval seaplanes at New
foundland could not start on the
transatlantic flight for at least twen-
tyfour hours. Commander J. II.
Towers, chief of the expedition. said
heavy seas were running and that a
storm was coming down on the course
to the Azores.
The NC-i also is weather bound at
Chatham. Mass. and officials here re-
gard 1t as impossible that she will be
in the overseas flight. as Comma nder
Towers messages indicated he would
G. arf har
permitted without awaiting the ar
rival of the NC-4 at Trepassey.
Story of Flight From Rockaway.
Commander Towers has sent in his
official account of the fight from
Rockaway:
Left Rockaway in NC-3. accompa-
MED by NC-4 and NC-1 at 10 am.
May s, proceeding in formation along
south coast of Long Island; thence
over Vineyard sound to Chatham:
thence to Seal Island. Received radio
from NC-4 at 2:10 pm. that they were
running on three engines and might
be compelled to land. NC-4 dropped
astern and shortly later was lost sight
Of 1t was believed that she had
turned to land near the McDermut.
which was barely visible off our port
quarter.
From Seal IslanG proceeded in COM
pany with NC1 to Nova Scotia and up
the coast to Halifax, NC-3 landing at
pm and NC-1 at 40 pm
Started refueling from the Baltimore
Immediately and completed at am,
May 9. Made arrangements to leave
for Trepassey at am, May 9, but
discovered cracked type on pusher
propeller of NC-3 and three propellers
of NC-1 in similar conditions. OBJ
tanned four hubs with spares from
Baltimore. On attempting start on the
morning of May 10. the starter on
pusher engine of NC broke. Signaled
NC-1 to proceed to Trepassy Replaced
starter and left Halifax at S:15 am.
Landed thirty-eight miles north
east of Halifax and examination
showed starboard tractor propeller.
type 5.3S1, had cracked tip. Returned
to Halifax. arriving at 1890 am.
Removed propeller from center tractor
engine and put it on starboa rd
tractor. Left Halifax at 11:4O am.
and proceeded to Trepassey landing
at $50 pm: The total time from Hal
flax to Trepassey was: NC-3, six
hours and fifty minutes: NC-1, six
hours and fiftysiX minutes
Each seaplane spent approximately
forty minutes maneuvering for landing
at Trepassey under very adverse wealth
er conditions. Winds as high as forty
five miles an hour We're encountered. al
though fairly smooth air was found at
1900 feet. Engines functioned well on
both legs. Radio telegraph maintained
excellent communiCat ton. Navigation
was rendered difficult by the high We
loclty and varying directions of winds
and necessity of flying high to avoid
rough air. but means are regarded as
SatiSfacto-v
Are engaged in overhauling and re-
fueling Nc and NC-l and will start for
Azores When conditions are favorable" &"