The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-10
NAVY FLIERS READY
FOR VOYAGE TO-DAY


OF their propellers was very loud, at
tracing the populace from their houses
and getting the attention OF everybody
OIL the streets.
The four destroyers which have been
here for week awaiting the start of
the second leg of the flight steamed for
sea to-day to take UP their positions on
the route to the Newfoundland coast.
Although conditions were favorable
early to-day for the start OF the second
stretch of the transatlantic trip of the
American naval seaplanee, Commander
John H Towers delayed departure in
order to replace propellors which showed
signs OF wear. The start for Sewfound-
land, he announced, would be made to-
morrow morning.
IT seemed likely early this morning
that the two seaplanes would get into
the air for the fight Of $50 nautical
or 529 statute miles. A west wind OF
more than twenty miles an hour was
blowing. This, 1t was calculated, would
add about twenty miles TO the cruising
speed. seventy-two miles, of the sea-
planes. thus making the trip a matter
of only about five hours and fortyfive
minutes. Both engines had been over
hauled during the night, and the tanks
OF each seaplane had been filled from
the fuel supply carried by the cruiser
Baltimore, supply ship for the planes at
this port.
The NC-l. with Lieutenant Commander
p y. l. Bellinger in the forward cockpit.
cast loose her mooIings Off the naval
station at Eastern Passage and SKINNED
up and down the surface of the bay.
Later the NC-3 Joined her but neither
took the air. Capt. II. X. Hines. senior
American naval officer at Halifax. pre-
dicted that IL the tests proved satisfac-
tory a start would be made before noon.
After the tests the two seaplanes TAXED
up to the Baltimore and we're made fast
TO her stern.
Just before noon Commander Towers
sent wireless to his chiefs in Washing
ton announcing that IT was necessary TO
renew four propellers. and that for this
reason the planes would not start until
tomorrow. He gave no details. but It
is presumed that the propellers had
shown signs of the effects of the long
trip, or had been damaged by the heavy
spray thrown into their orbit as the
planes TAXED along the surface OF the
water. After changing propellers the
NC-3 planed around the waters of the
harbor again.
Word was received here that naval de-
stroyers and dreadnoughts are now on
their stations or rapidly nearing them,
80 that no delay on this account is an
ticipated. Destroyers also will be on
post between this harbor and tho south
ern end OF Newfoundland ready to re-
spond to calls for aid or to send loca-
lions by wireless to the seaplanes as
they pass
The news that the NC-4 had arrived
safely at Chatham was received with
relief by Commander Towers and the
Ra1N .NlNa Ill n
that the seaplane was in serious danger.
but as the night passed without any
wireless from her the fiiers became more
apprehensive. The navy men were con-
fident that the NC-4 would catch up
with the procession" before the critical
stretch of the journey. from Newfound-
land to the Azores. Is reached.
Weather conditions late tonight were
fairly favorable for the flight, although
not quite so good as they had been in
the morning. Even without n helping
wind the trip should be made in less
than eight hours
The following message from Rear Adj
miral T. ]. Cowje, In charge OF the Navy
Liberty Loan campaign. WAS received by
Commander Towers to-day:
"All America wishes you godspeed on
your historic journey. In Victory Loan
drive navy has gone over the top Ma
ton Is going over and we know that you
will go over and thus add another glor-
ious chapter TO the navy's war record"
Capt. John Alcock and IA party of
avIators and mechanics arrived here to-
day on the Mauritania to prepare for an
attempt to NY across the Atlantic. II
was said that a Nickers-Nimy bombing
plane would arrive on a later steamship
and be taken TO st. Johns. N. f., where
Capt. Alcock expects to begin his flight