New-York tribune., 1919-04-26
Tentative Datc Believed 10
Have Been Chosen, bul the
Weather Will Be Deciding
Factor; Planes Tuning Up
Destroyers. Begin Patrol
Firsa Of SO Ordered to Sea
Sail, and Beach Crews
Start for Newfoundland

1t was officially announced yesterday
that the date for the navy's attempt to
fly across the Atlantic with the three
NC flying boats hss been decided upon.
1t will not be officially announced until
twenty-four hours before the scheduled
hour Of departure. From the best avail
able information the date is understood
to be May Q, but the weather win be tho
determining factor.
The announcement says tho route has
not yet been decided, but it was learned
on high authority yesterday that the
Navy Department had never seriously
considered any other route than from
Newfoundland by way of the Azores.
Thirty-six dostroyers under command
Of Rear Admiral Charles Z. Plunkett, It
was learned, were under orders yestcr-
day to proceed to their destinations
along tho proposed route Mt midnight.
The utmost secrecy concerning tho
movement and destination Of these
craft was maintained, and all requests
for information met with absolute re-
fusal
Tho supply ship Baltimore left for
Newfoundland yesterday with supplics
and part Of the beach crew to handle
the flying bouts on their arrival Mt
l]roylo liarbor. The supply ship Aroo-
STOCK was also schcdulcd to sail, but
n lcaky tank delayed Acr departure
i,n mil N 49, to1. Ca
ing. Three dcatroycra the Gamble,
Footc and Barney smiled yesterday
Bnttlcshps to Patrol Course
1t was also learned that tho battle
8. hips Utah, Texas, Arkansas, Wyom-
ing and Florida will patrol the course
of the flying boats. The time of their
departure, however. is being withheld.
Commander John II. Towers took
over active command of the an. C. sea-
plane Division - yesterday. From ob-
scrvation at the naval air station at
Rocknway there is no doubt about the
preparations for tn" fight across the
Atlantic being in their final stage.
Owing to the storm of Thursday and
yesterday there was no flying with the
NC-3. This was chiefly due to the fact
that the runway had become siltcd with
sand AS a result the opportunity was
selZed to put the starboard engine in
good shape. 1t was found the trouble
lay in the carburetor and new one
was installed The ship will fly to-day.
The NC-4 is in the final stage of
completion and should be ready for her
first flight by Monday. The wings of
the NC-2 are already on the NC-l, and
that ship should also be ready for
flight early next week. There is n
possibility chat all three ships may ny
together for the first time Monday.
The NC-2, her experimental work com
pleted, lies wingless and forgotten in
the corner Of the NC hangar
To Keep Routes Secret
Commander Towers said yesterday
the routes Of the three flying boats
would not be announced until thew
had reached their destinations.
Enough is known of the navy's plans.
however, to predict that the fl nst leg
of the flight will be from Rockaway to
Broylc Harbor, n. +.
The NC-3 was equipped with Ohm
stead propellers yesterday. These will
be tested out in flight to-day. -Four
petty officers and twelve sailors Of the
beach crew packed up their kit and
left for the New York Navy Yard yes
terday, where they will embark for
Newfoundland. This makes a total Of
forty eight officers and men who have
already left the station for this pur-
pose Twelve more will leave to-day.