The sun., 1919-04-14
RIVALRY IS KEEN TO
GET FIRST START
HaWker Ready to Take
Chances to Beat Raynhan.

81. JohN y, ~. F., april lS.-AS the
rivalry between the two competing
camps of sviators who are to try the
fight across the Atlantic increase
there are indications that Harry G
Hawker and his navigator. Commander
Mackenzie. r. N. are ready to sacrifice
every possible safeguard TO the sporting
desire OF getting the Jump on the other
| fellow"
Despite rains overnight, continuing
into morning. Hawker prepared to begin
| the flight as soon as the fog lifted meas
| urably Scowling at the murky clouds
being blown over the harbor on ligh,
winds, he ordered his plane made ready
for flight. while Commander Grieve sat
Judge on weather reports which came by
telegraph and radio from along the Goa st
and far out at sea,
After several postponements to- day s
plans were finally abandoned when
Grieve decided trat the weather. with
the hazards which ordinarily must be
encountered was too inauspcious for tho
attempt.
One reason for the spring fogs ia
the effect of the Gulf Stream on the
| icebergs lurching down the coast from
Labrador. An iceberg rising twenty-fi five
, feet above the surface fioated past the
entrance to the harbor. but further out
side the usual iceberg trail was reported
relatively clear. At dusk fog hid from
view the harbor mouth.
The rival airmen had an opportunity
to Judge preparations made for the flight
by each other. Hawker to-day returned
call made yesterday at his airdrome
on Mount Pearl plateau by Raynha m
who has erected canvas hangar in a
field at Quidividi. 1t WAS surmised that
this call was responsible for the an
nouncement from Hawker's camp that he
would essay the 1900 mile flight 10
Great Britain with the rrst clearing OF
| the weather and even a negative wind
Rain, II was said, would not be so much
a deterrent, as the motors were adequate
ly housed.
Radio Plans Abandoned.
To save time and weight Hawker has
! abandoned plans for perfecting his wire
less equipment and his navigator will
not have available wireless directionsl
devices which II was expected would be
installed. Instead, Commander Grieve
Will have to determine his position by
occasional wireless messages sent out
by vessels met in crossing.
Hawker's delay mas given added Inn
petus 10 Raynhams mechanics, who are
assembling their Martinsyde. Because
OF hills and valleys the contour OF New
foundland offers no large level fields for
take on, and for this reason Raynham
selected the site for his "airdrome" In a
field by the roadside. When he hops
on ii will be from this road.
When Hawker arrived at Quldvidi he
found there. besides Capt. Raynham.
the latters assistant pilot and naviga-
tor, Major c. w. Morgan, a British vet
eran OF the war who lost leg in action
Hawker found his rivals fusilage as
sembled One set OF wings was ready
for adjustment. the other still was In
its crate. At no time did Ifawker or
Raynham discuss the others chances Of
being flrst 10 CROSS the Atlantic by air.
but each confined his conversation to a
technical discussion OF the machines.
This discussion brought out COM
parison Of the machines and the devices
on which the rival aviators are relying
in case they are forced TO plunge into
the sea
Hawker's Sopwith carries in it's fuslI
age miniature boat which tests are
said to have shown cannot be capsized
by the united efforts OF two men. In
this boat have been stored emergency
rations and Hawker and Grieve have
expressed confidence that in case OF be-
Ing forced to abandon their plane they
VIII be able 10 float around for several
hours In relative safety waiting for as
sistance.
Lacks boat Equipment.
Raynham and his war SCARED com
panion. on the other hand, have no such
devices and In case OF mishap will be
forced TO rely solely on clothing designed
to make IL impossible for them TO sink.
Nor has the Martinsyde device for
cutting loose the heavy undercarrlaIe
and landing gear, II II is found that this
hampers flight by weight and wind re-
sistance. On the other hand. II is said
II Raynhan succeeds in crossing the
ocean, h. win have better chance OF
landing his machine whole than Hawker
who, II he drops his landing gear out At