New-York tribune., 1919-05-19

enth-hour effort to wrest transatlantic
fight honors from the United States
naval planes, are flying over course
ell their own, figured out last night
and this morning with the one object
In mind of "how to head of the Ameri-
cans"
AS soon as they had finished break
fast this morning. Hawker and Grieve
hurried to the Offices of the Royal Air
Force meteorologists. Finding condi-
tions improved little, though not as
favorable as they would have de-
manded had not the Americans been
we'll started on their passage, they
went direct to the Mount Pearl pla-
teau, where the Sopwith was waiting
in the airdrome, and began prepara-
tion for the flight.
They were wholly calm at the start.
Methodically, and without the slight
est trace of nervousness. they climbed
aboard their craft and set to work dis
passionatelys Hawker's confidence III
his navigator and in his engine were
absolute, he said quietly.
Opens Throttle to Full
After a preliminary spin of the mo-
tor Hawker opened his throttle to the
full and the ground crew were forced
to call for help to hold the plane in
place. Hawker throttled down"
again, said few final words, and then
gave the word to knock out the sup
porting blocks from beneath the craft
as he opened wide the throttle.
Hawker followed his announced in
tention when he dropped the undercar-
riage of his plane. Some persons
thought the act was intended as a
challenge to his rival, Raynham, and
before he started.
How about old 'Tinsides" Tell
Raynham III greet him at Brook
lands, England"
The wireless sent word of Rayn-
hams mishap to Hawker and Macken-
zic Grieve after they had put to sea.
Opinion here is that one result Of the
message will be the cutting down of
Hawker's speed, as the Sopwith will
not be forced 70 raciTp, speed now that
It's rival has been eliminated from the
overseas contest.
Have Aid of Sun
At the start the sun was only lit
tie over two hours beyond the meridian.
The flying adventurers had its aid in
navigating for four or five hours as
they sped eastward. After that thew
plunged into darkness over the ocean,
with the prospect Of starlight and
moonlight to break the monotony of
sky and sea at night, and to serve as
navigation guides.
Mackenzie Grieve declared before
the start that the Sopwith would head
straight for Ireland
"lf we strike Ireland anywhere we
will have found our mark" he said,
"but If we hit England we will be
nearer home"
indications tonight were that west
erly winds would favor the fliers for
the first 1000 miles of their course.
The remainder of the way will be
"ticklish" sailing, and it is thought
possible that Grieve will have to
bend" his course somewhat south to
avoid wind and weather dangers.
large part of Grieves's work will
be IN noting observations of air cur
rents encountered
Although Atlantic air currents can
never be Marked" he said, ~ hope to
compile observations that will make
the transatlantic passage possible with
fewer uncertainties for later fliers
than those which confront pioneers on
the trackless way.
1--WE are relying chiefly on astro-
nomical positions which we plan to OBJ
tain by use of the sextant, getting an
hourly sun altitude in the daytime and
working with the North Star at NIGHT
Should thick weather obscure the skv.
we are prepared to use the clouds for
calculating purposes, although we ad-
NIT the results would be only ap-
proXimate."
Not more than sixty people were
present to witness the departure Of
the intrepid airmen and these were
chiefly competitors, aviators and news
papcrmen. Among them were Rear
Admiral Mark Kerr, of the British
Iavy, who is to navigate the giant
Handley- Page machine in it's trans
atlantic attempt, and his pilot, Major
Brackley, of the British Air Force
NdPtS iH AiCOck ana Lleuten6nte
Brown. who are to pilot the Vickers
Vimy bomber now on it's way here
aboard the steamship Glendevon, also
witnessed the start. All loudly
praised the manner in which Hawker
handled the Sopwith in his take off.
Concentrated rations are being car
sied on the Sopwith for food The fuel
supply was $40 gallons of gasoiene.
Wind Blamed for Wreck
A big fa-tor in the accident to Rayn-
hamS Martinsyde plane was said to he
lack of full wind opposition. He IVES
trying to take off" on his east-and
west field with wind exactly north of
east. Full head wind is declared to be
essential for rise with plane as
heavily laden as Raynhams.
The weight of the plane was nearly
three tons. and the great "heft" of it
Is believed to have brought it down
after rise of few feet had been