The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1919-03-11
A|RMEN ON EDGE FOR
/. FLIGHT AROSS ATLANTIC
ASSEMBLING AIRCRAFT FOR
PIONEER TRIP OF 1875 MILES.
TO ATTEMPT 1T THIS YEAR.
SEVEN FLYERS HAVE FILED
THEIR ENTRANCE FOR THE TRIP
Four Types of Flying Machines in
America Said to Be Capable of
Crossing the Ocean. Fortune the
Prize for Successful Aviator.

America Said to be Capable of
Crossing the Ocean. Fortune the
Prize for Successful Aviator.
Seven daring aviators rushing
plans for the transatlantic flight to
be attempted this year. Two great
governments and one individual max
ing final preparations for the pioneer
air trip across the broad expanse of
the ocean. Aircraft companies on
both sides of the Atlantic speeding
construction on the gigantic planes
to be used in the attempt
This, in brief, is the present status
of an undertaking dreamed of and
talked about ever since flying became
a reality. The governments are those
OF the United States and Great Brit
ain and the individual is Hugo Sun
stedt, a Swedish naval captain.
The London Mail has offered $50
600 for any aeroplane or seaplane
which shall cross the Atlantic from
anywhere in the United States, Cana
da or Newfoundland to any point in
the British isles, or vice versa, in 70
consecutive hours. Mrs. Victoria
Woodruff Martin has offered $4,000
and trophy. The owners of the
British rights in the Antoinette en-
glne have offered $4,000 to the
Daily Mail winner and $4,000 more
II the winning aeroplane is made en-
tlrely IN British territory. An Eng
llsh publication will give the winner
5000 II the engine is made in Great
Britain. The Aero Club of America
mas promised the successful aviator
$4,000 in liberty bonds.
Naval Officer in Charge.
The official American trial has been
entrusted by the navy department to
Commander John H. Towers, who has
been ordered to take charge of the
development of plans and assembly of
/ materials and personnel for the pro-
posed fight.
With three and possibly four ayia
tors making ready to fly across the
Atlantic from the American side to
the British isles, the Aero Club of
America has announced that three
alrmen in England already have filed
their entrance for the event.
Prizes Offered Total SIPS, 600.
Something more tangible than
tame contributes to the lure of the
ocean flight, for the first to make the
( trip by air across the Atlantic will
be substantially rewarded. There is
standing at the present time a total
OF Sl25,OO0 in prizes, about one-half
unhampered by restrictions.
No information has been given out
from Washington as to the type of
machine to be employed or the men
to whom the actual flying will be
entrusted. 1t is known, however, that
the navy department has a seaplane
of unusual size and strength, which.
with notifications, might prove equal
to the task. 1t is equipped with three
liberty motors, developing 1900
horsepower, and has carried 81 pas
sengers in sustained flight.
Aircraft experts in England began
to make preparations for the pioneer
flight Immediately after the signing
of the armistice. 1t has been reported
that Great Britain tested three types
OF machines in contemplation of the
flight, and there have been rumors
that British flyers would attempt the
air trip early this spring.
Newfoundland to Ireland.
In considering the question of
route the American attempt will be
made by way of Newfoundland and
Ireland, or, if Capt Sunstedt's hopes
are realized, direct to London from
Newfoundland. The Azores route
has often been discussed, and that
by way of Greenland and the Farce
islands less often. The most direct
passage is the most tempting to the
American flyers.
What are the difficulties apart
from human weakness and fallibilitv
of the machine? This question has
been asked frequently since the pro-
posed flight is about to be attempted.
There are two principal difficulties.
experts believe. Foremost is the
weather, which at the height the
flight will be made is of unknown
possibilities. Then there is the dan
ger of getting lost in fog or storm.
The route is of necessity uncharted,
without landmarks, with the tendency
to drift in cross winds not easily
overcome, and always the possibility
of being forced to alight But this
hazard will not loom large in the
mind of