The sun., 1919-04-13
HAWKER PLANS
FLIGHT TO-DAY
His Effort to Get Away Yester-
day Prevented by Strong
Southeaster.
HAS MESSAGE FOR KING
All Shipping in North Atlantic
Notified to Be on Lookout
for Fliers.
HAS MESSAGE FOR KING

Sr. JoHN's n. F.. April ia south
easter blowing half a gale across
Mount Pearl plateau Just before night
fall to-day prevented the attempt OF
Harry G. Hawker. British airman. from
realizing his ambition Of being the FIRST
to fly across the Atlantic, thereby win
ming the $4,000 prize of the London
Daily Mdn
After a preliminary flight which
demonstrated that his big Sopwith
plane was perfectly tuned Hawker de-
cided to hop or at o'clock II he
could complete his arrangements. All
the adjustments OF the machine had
not been made at that time. however.
and the start was put OF until 8. By
that hour the high wind had made 1t
inadvisable to make the attempt. for
the aviator previously had been
warned a storm was raging in mid
Atlantic.
Hawker refused tonight TO discuss
the delay or to indicate when he hoped
earlier that he would try to get away
tomorrow
II will go when can" he said.
Hawker Urges Patience.
When asked whether it was likely he
would leave tomorrow morning or in
the afternoon, he replied sharply:
you'll have to wait and see."
From others interested in the fight
of the man who gained the Micheln
prize q few years ago, it was learned
that lie probably will try again to-
morrow notwithstanding the fact that 1t
! will be the thirteenth day since his ar
rival here.
The arriva! here yesterday OF Major
g. W. II. Morgan and Capt. f. p. Rayn-
ham with their Martinsyde biplane.
| which they already have started to as
semble at their airdrome, Is understood
| to have hurried the plans of Hawker.
, who has tested the machine in which he
is 10 essay a transatlantic crossing of
! 1900 miles.
Raynham, who called on Hawker to-
! day at Mount Pearl, indicated that the
Martinsyde machine would not be ready
make a trial fight for several days
and Hswker shortly afterward deferred
! Lis start. His mechanics, however,
worked Oh the machine until forced 10
stop by darkness,
Scene Was All Set.
The scene was all set to-day for the
takeoff in front of the hastily I'M
! provlsed hangar on Mount Pearl plateau.
The Governor OF the Dominion had
ltanded Hawker felicltous message ad-
dressed TO King George bearing the
greetings of Brtaln's youngest Dominion
and oldest colony while Sir William
| Lloyd. the Premier, had despatched
through the mails letter to Premier
lloyd George
! The airplane itself with two seats In
| its boatlike fusilage and an engine OF
| S60 horse power, had been officially ac-
! cepted as carrier OF his Majesty's
mail. Meantime Hawker and his nayi.
| gator, Commander Mackenzie Grieve, X
| ", We're dividing their time between the
| formal ceremonies and the practical
work of arranging for departure. While
| some mechanics worked on engine ad
| justments or tested wires. others placed
'
days, rockets TO be used as night sig
nails. and bombs which would give Of
smoke flares by day. The wireless ap
! paratus by which the machine will at
tempt to keep in touch with land oi
| passing vessels was found TO be In gooC
| working order.
After the petrol tanks had been filled
| with n twenty-four hour supply OF fue
| workmen inspected levers by which th'
| aviator can drop his takeoff wheels a
| will. Capt. W. II. Fem. Hawker's man
| ager. stated. however, that It was no
| the aviators intention to abandon THU
| means OF land locomotion unless consd
erations of weight made It necessary.
Closely Watched Wind.
With all these preparations completed
and with Sir Michael Cashn, Minister
Of Finance Sir L. T. McGrath. prcs
dent OF the Legislative Council. anC
other Dominion officials ready TO biz
the flyer Godspeed. IIawker postponed
his hop from hour TO hour with ;
I cautious eye on the wind, which h,
feared would wreck his ship" before /
attained flying speed. Then, after con
ferrng with Raynham, he announced a
dusk he would walt another day.
All shipping In the north Atlantic wa
0oattaued on Strth Page.