Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-07-07

man Ayins high over the sea. lost
in cloudhanks and fog:
We are now flying through
thick fog. or low-lying clouds. Ev-
erything IL soaked through with the
wet atmosphere. It seems very
strange to see one Of the crew peel
ing potatoes for the next meal. One
becomes used to this In naval, life.
But In airships it makes one ponder
for q moment on the possibilities Of
this type Of craft.
For instance, the midday meal
today "wednesday was an excellent
stew-the meat stewed Just right.
with potatoes boiled and carrots,
served up on a clean neat mess table.
in an aluminium plate with knife and
fork. and last, but not least. one cup
of fresh water.
Il am feeling very tired. not hav-
ing up to the present time (s.3o
Wednesday p. NJ been to sleep in
my hammock. That makes twelve
hours and IS minutes on one jour-
ney, and I gather from the navigat-
ing car We are about 100 miles west
of Irelank With our present head
way we should reach New Foundland
this time Thursday, that is tomor-
row. Isn't America long way?
II an airline is organized in the
future between London and New
York l am certain that passengers
will be fearfully bored unless amuse-
ments are organized. One can see at
the best. only vast expa-se OF sea,
and at the worst. fog or an awfully
downcast sky which the Atlantic
alone can hiring.
The sunrise this morning was
gorgeous. The light was reflected
by the clouds into different hues and
everyone remarked at the beauty
This would at least be a little dis
traction from cloud monotony for
prospective passengers on trans At
lantic flights.
If we carry on like this, We can
boast. II we get over. OF having
crossed the Atlantic and never seen
it.
Various ships are calling US and
dppCdE " SSS AoAtV AAoASAS ~ es'S
US their positions and barometer
readings.
We are out OF wireless touch
with Great Britain but St. Johns Is
carrying on for US.
I am very tired and shall be
glad to get somewhere. Everyone
Is in good spirits. The gramophone
has unfortunately broken its main
spring and we are making frantic
endeavors to repair same.
The mess cooks are now prepaf.
ing our a. m. meal-cold ham.
boiled eggs and, Of course, hot CO.
Goa.
The commander has just told me
that we shall probably reach New
Foundland by tonight. But we shall
not see 1t. Of course.
"T am Just wondering If my wife
and boys arc getting any news Of me.
I sincerely hope SO. Hers Is the
harder task. am stopping the fly
ing life after this flight, for my wife's
health.
Thank God! The fog has at last
lifted and one is allowed to see the
water. say water" because that
is all one can see. l have had three
hours sleep and I feel ready for most
anything.
They are now preparing the
mid.day meai-coldroas beef. cold
potatoes. bread, cheese and choco-
late. We were to have had beef
steak but the two wing engines.
| which are fitted with cookers. are
stopped for general adjustments. so
we are taking cold lunch instead.
The novelty Of this flight has
passed now and one has settled down
in quiet determination to get there.
We have a chart hanging in the
crew space. marked every nine to
twelve hours by the navigator, Major
Cooke. The crew can then see where
we are.
One realizes how awfully lucky
Hawker and Grieve were to be
picked up by the steamboat. consid-
ering thew had been looking for one
fective engine. We have never seen
ship of any kind since leaving the
north of Ireland.
'One-forty-f Friday morning.
We appear to be making good head
way and are said to have crossed the
coast, but can not verify this ow-
ing to the fog.
The Pilots car looks very mis-
erable at present. No lights except
chart lamps. We had one Of the rig
gers crew sick for a few hours but
he seems o k now. have scarcely
time to write these notes. There is
always something awaiting attention.
Engineers Of one Of these ships is
indeed a lively way Of earning ones
living. I often wonder why ] do it
much more excitement driving a
taxicab.
Just had q shock. Opened the
engineroom window. 1t Is a large at
fair. Two men can lean out. looked
out and saw another engineroom op-
posite and a mans figure looking out
Ye Gods! My heart beats frantically.
"' Only the reflection from a close
bank Of very think fog. You get ex-
traordinarily sights up here in this
beastly fog-uncanny sights.
think.
"I suppose we are somewhere near
this Haadly-Paige machine now.
hope they have good luck and get
over safely. I admire the heavy pi-
lots after seeing what they have to
cover. The ordinary interested at
lantic fight" reader cannot conceive
rapila fop hA oil