The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-17
By Associated press

by Sssoctatou rFe>s
 Washington, May 16--Coincident with the start from Trepassy Bay. Newfoutd- land, today of the American navy sea- planes in an effort to make the first transatlantic air passage, the Navy De- partment made public an order issued April 15, which governs the action of every aircraft and naval vessel connect ed with the long flight and provides against almost every possible emergency which may arise during the aerial voy- age
 Complete in every detail the order pro- vides for thesstationing and subsequent movements of 60 destroyers, four battle- ships and number of auxiliary naval vessels in connection with the flight. Although issued at New York a month prior to the actual start of the hazard ous journey, the details of the order have been followed without the least hitch throughout the project
 In accordance with the provisions of the departments order the route which the seaplanes are to take to the Azores
 is marked by ribbon of destroyers sta- IiOiRCd ubOut oV lIliicS apart. lHeSe NcS- sels have been on their stations several days and have kept officials constantly informed as to meteorological conditions along the course.
 FOUR EMPHASIZES
 In addition to the destroyers, four bat tleshps, the Florida. Utah, Texas and Wyoming, have been stationed on the outskirts nf the n f,,r t1a,. meteorological data throughout the flight
 All of the intricate details of radio communication between the various units have been worked out carefully. As pro- vided in the order, the seaplanes are in constant communication with the naval vessels at all times. Every precaution has been taken to safeguard the flyers In addition to the radio communication, the destroyers along the route are pro- vided with special Illuminating torches, star shells and flares for use at night to mark the course and are in constant readiness to answer s. o. S. calls, or other distress signals
 Twentyone destroyers are stationed on the Trepass Azores leg with four, ad- ditional vessels in reserve to replace any craft which may be called Upon to am swer an s. o. S. signal, or itself become disabled As the seaplanes pass above a destroyer the latter obtains radio com m munication, ascertains the condition of the planes, and indicates the true course to the next vessel. BRILLIANTLY LIGHTED During the night the destroyers on stations one to sixteen will keep brilliant ly illuminated to provide against the planes missing ship and thus losing the way. To guard further against this contingency. the destroyers are ordered in the event the seaplanes have not beer sighted at the approximate time they should arrive, to make smoke. clouds, show searchlights, fire star shells and notify the next ship to the westward. The next vessel in the line will make the same signals for three quarters of an hour before the planes are due to ar rive. | Upon being notified that it has been sighted by planes, or when station ship sights the flyers, the vessel will imme- diately stop smoking or firing star shells, will take the exact course to the next station and will steam slowly on that course to indicate the proper route, and will keep in radio communication with | the flying ships.
 Planes forced to land on the water dur l ing darkness will indicate their posi- | ton. and condition by radio. rockets and flares. with the following meanings:
 FLARE SIGNALS
 Green star-Can get of the water again no assistance required.
 Red star or rare-Assistance required.