Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-19

llt "'N''' 'A-'
gamble with death it will bring him
first honors in the nostop transatlantic
race, undying fame and rich prize
He decided TO risk everything when
he heard of the arrival of the United
States navy's seaplane NC-4 at Horta
and reiterated his statement that he
would beat the Yankees across, al
though the venture of the navy air
craft has no bearing on the Daily Mail
contest. nor did they attempt non
stop fight.
Flying Straight for ireland.
The twenty-hour journey planned by
Hawker would land him on the Irish
coast at about 1;55 p. m, Greenwich
time, today $3.50 a. m, Chicago
time). He is flying straight for Ire
land, wineing his way regardless Of
shipping lanes.
Hawker got away in a lurching 300
yard run humping hazardously over
the uneven field. The little plane
careened and rocked recklessly until
a hummock lifted il and its wing took
the air" for a low, swinging star.
Hawker was at the control
The Sopwith began to speed up as
soon as it foated into the air and
Hawker headed straight into the
northeast. When he dropped his I'M
dercarriage he and Grieve waved a
quick farewell.
Flying straight. without swerying
hair from the chosen course, the little
plane faded rapidly from view. In five
minutes it had dwindled to specE
in the sky and in six minutes it was
out of sight beyond the hill.
of to "5eat Americans"
Hawker's start was made in The face
of weather conditions which he char
sacterzed as not yet favorable-but
possible" He and his navigator
gfavely considered the hazards of the
attempt, and decided to stake every
thing on an effort to beat the Amer
leans.
4 Overnight reports to the meteor
illogical station here showed increased
atmospheric pressures, smoother seas
and fair barometer conditions. Al
though winds and pressure were not
all they hoped for, Hawker and Gricvc
ordered their hand satchels packed
and made ready for the start.
Is Do or Die.
St Johns, N. f., May 19.-The final
plans for the journey were to heaa
due east from Newfoundland for 6ou
miles and get in the steamer lane,
which will be followed as closely n
possible for the 1885 miles to Ireland |
During the journey the navigator
will take sights every half hour to de |
termine the position. checking by |
wireless reports he is able to pick UP
from ships.
If Hawker and his aid survive the
perils of the actual flight. they will
face probably their riskiest moment
when they make their landing withou
their landing gear
The plane will undoubtedly be
smashed, but the aviators count on
escaping with their lives
His chances of getting assistance
from ships are not very good, as tht
machine will be so high that il will
be difficult for the airplane's reiares
to the seen. This is the result of tn
failure OF the wireless sending an
paratus, the airplane being able tc
take in signals only but not to sen
any out. ##
Feat Is Perious.
If the machine Is forced to descen !
it will float for short while. Bat
if it should come down near the Irish
coast, when the petrol tanks will be
nearly empty and therefore more
buoyant, they will support the ma
chine as long as it holds together.
If descent is made in mid-Atlantic
the airmen will have to take TO the
boat, in which they have
very little confidence, and with appar
emily good reason.
! Scour Atlantic for Nc-3.
Washington. May 1S.-A great flee
of American destroyers in search OF
the lost seaplane, NC-3, which, with
its crew of five men, has been lost
since Saturday morning.
A heavy gale is blowing. No news
of the lost plane has been received
since a wireless reported it between
stations II and is at 5:15 Saturday
washington time).
1t is expected that while the NC-3
may not be far away from the line
of the Azores she has no means OF
communication as her sending APP
paratus is limited to probably TWEEN.
ty to thirty miles.
Have Plenty of Food.
z she can, however, receive any
news that is being sent her and
are always flying to the
effect that the seas are being
searched and in what directions the
search is proceeding.
1t is believed she has plenty of
food and six days supply of water
The NC-3 took along about three to
four days rations If she found that
she was drifting. and might be al
long time without being picked IN.
the crew would iof course, econo.
mize and make their food last at
least week and then have plentv