Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1919-05-28
FLYERS TRIP
TOPORTUCAL
HONORS US.
Men Due to Fly to Ply
mouth Today After
Blazing Trail"

Washington, May %. - The
naval seaplane \. CA will
leave Lisbon for Plymouth on
the last leg of the trans-At-
lantic flight early tomorrow
morning, weather permitting,
according TO a dispatch receiV-
ed at the navy department to-
day, from Lieutenant COmman-
der Albert &. Read, commander
of the plane.
The feat of the seaplane n. CA
<hich yesterday achieved the dis
stincSion for the United States navy
of having "blazed the way Tor
transatlantic aerial navigation
when she flew from Ponta DeIgada
to Lisbon continued the chief topic
in naval and official circles here
today. In addition to the honor
which history will give to Amer
ican filters as the first to fly across
the Atlantic it was with pride that
navy men pointed to the splendid
performance of the machine, d
#purely 'made-in-America" develop
ment.
Without a mishap of any kind. the
n. CA made the jump-off approx
imately 900 land miles from Ponta
Delgada to Portugal in hours and
43 minutes. or at the rate of slight
8ly more than 80 land miles an hour.
Official reports show the flight,
which started at 6:1S a. m. (Wash-
ngton time) ended at 4:0I p. III.
ID Washington time.)
Fame in Good Shape.
Resumption of the flight with
plymouth England, as the goal was
Expected today if weather conci-
tions permitted, and it was found
Il hat the steady driving of yester-
bay had left the engines in good
shape. This jump was regarded as
of only secondary Importance when
& compared to the flight across the
atlantic, the distance not as great.
# and the flight being made during
daylight Commander Albert c.
Read and his five companions are
eager to complete the voyage at the
sa@Hest possible moment, now the
most difficult obstacles have beeL
passed.
Trip to Plymouth Easiest.
Reports here show all of the
FLYERS to be in excellent physical
condition, despite the strain they
nave been under for more than two
weeks. The flight from Lisbon to
Plymouth, it was pointed out, will
De the least difficult of any of the
egs as practically all the way the
seaplane will be in sight of land,
running up the coasts of Portugal
lnd Spain, thence across the Bay of
3iscay and off the French coast.
The distance is approximately $50
lautical or S24 land miles, and with
IN early start should be covered in
lay light.
Wilson Sends Message.
Paris, May 2S.-President Wilson
oday sent a message of congratu-
ssjon to Lieutenant Commander A
: Read of the N. CA.
The message reads:
"Please accept my heartfelt con-
Is Ny-atulations on the success of your
light and accept for yourself an
Impression of my deepest admira
HI ion. We are all heartily proud of
,ou. You have won and deserved
Ae distinction of adding still fur
her to the laurels Of our country"
Flyers Decorated.
London. May 2S.-Ihe crew OF
he American seaplane \. CA,
which made the first transatlantic
,erial passage, landing at Lisbon
# ast evening from the Azores, has
If )een decorated with the grand
ross of the Order of the Tower
nd Sword. says a message to the
Wireless Press from Lisbon. The
decoration was presented by the
Portuguese foreign minister.
(The Order of the Tower and
sword was founded in 1908 in
3razil by the regent who after
yard became King John VI. of
Fl Portugal, as a revival of the Order
# the Sword, founded by Alfonso
:. in 1912 1t was again remodel
d in 1882. It is a general mill
ary and civil order and has five
N lasses.
(The badge is a fve-pointed star
white on the center of which is
,osed a sword surrounded by a
aurel wreath and words signifying
Hnerit. valor and loyalty. A laurel
Vreath connects the points of the
III tar and at the top is a tower in
old Tho rihbOu Is hlua !