Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1921-01-03
NAVY BALL0ON|STS
ARE EN- ROUTE HOME
Aeronauts Brave Dangers of
canada'S Frozen Wastes.
May Take Three Weeks.
By the Assct.is ted Press.

By the Assocs ted Press.
ROCKAWAY. N. Y, January g.
Three mission naval balloonists of
The Asses. who had been the objects
of a frantic search through northern
New York and Canada since they
dropped from sight here three weeks
ago. today are en- route home from
the snowy wilds of Ontario. via dog
sleds.
The trio landed near Moose Factory,
Ontario. remote trading post of the
Hudson Bay Company, on December
"a. the day after they started from
Rockaway. After four days in the
woods. they found safety at the post
Word of their rescue reached here in
:. telegram from the flyers, sent by
messenger to the nearest telegraph
Office at Mattice. and relayed thence
upon the arrival of the messenger last
night The message read:
Driven by storm Monday. 1913.
west by north, at lower Hudson bay.
Forced to land pm. 1914, about
ten miles north by east of Moose
Factory, Ont. latitude 51.50. longi-
tude st.00. Lost in forest four days.
Crew safe at Hudson Company post.
VIII leave on first available means of
transportation to railroad, which is
by dog sled, and will take about
nine days Leaving here Monday, De-
cember 81
II the bal1oonists got away on the
9TH and if they make as good time
as they expected. they should get
back into touch with civilization at
nj 81 III M
tomorrow or Wednesday. Aviation of
hcers here. however. incline to the
opinion that it will be several days
before the balloonists. unaccustomed
20 dog-sled travel, work their way
out of the frozen north country.
Runner En- Route Two Weeks.
Members of the ASSES crew were
Lieut.. Walter Hinton of Belle Harbor,
y. T., pilot on the Meas transat-
lantic flight; Lieut.. Stephen A. Farrell
of New. York. and Lieut.. Louis A.
kloor. ir-. of New Orleans.
Mattice. Ontario. the point from
which the message from the naval
aviators was filed. is a station on the
National Transcontinental railway
some miles west of Cochrane Ontario.
II is believed here that the message
ONCE by an Indian runner who was
dispatched from Moose Factory i'm
,nediately after the arrival of the Off
ce,s at that trading post
The fact that this runner was some
two weeks onfhe trip to the railroad
line is believed to give some indica-
ton of the time it win take the flyers
themselves to make the return voy-
age to civilization.
When the ASSES left here Deem
Der IL no definite destination was
planned, but the prevailing northwest
faH q L.
in Canada With the exception of
report that the balloon was seen pass
ing over Wells. y. Y. late that same
night. no definite word was received
here of the progress of the fight.
Had Two Days Rations.
Her crew was supplied with normal
rations for three days. which, it was
said. would serve them for ten days
in an emerency. They had fur-lined
garments and electrically heated
warmers to make their voyage more
comfortable.
Ninety-six hours after the balloons
departure, when fears were first felt
less stations and forest rangers in
nirthern New York and southeastern
Canada were notnffed to be on the
lookout for the balloon.
A few days later two Army air
planes were sent from Mitchell Field
to Albany to begin an aeronautical
search over the Adirondacks. but
without success.
Canadian officials. who were ap-
prised Of the flight. first advanced the
IN some remote section, and probably
would make their way to a lumber
camp or trading post.
The wives of Lieuts. Hinton and
Farrell. who are in this city, were
promptly notified of their husbands
G.
said. but the report made by Lieut.
Evans Of the air station. following
his recent trip to Canada to assist in
organizing the search. led them to
believe that they might not receive
news of their husbands until the
spring. when the trappers come out
from their winter campaign.
Thank God They Are Safe,
The news has reached me sooner
than I expected" said Mrs. Hinton
II had the utmost confidence in the
report of Lieut. Evans and I felt that
they were safe all the time. I can
not say more at this time. as 1 am
tooioverjoyed and happy to think
Thank God. they are safe and
sound. Now. to hear from him, and
then to see him" Mrs. Farrell exclaimed,
when she heard the news. Santa
been awfully good to our two chill
drsn and myself"
Officers at the naval station express
ed the opinion that the balloon was
probably wrecked. They pointed out
that. although the craft may have
descended without damage, after
defiation. the winds would have dashed
il to pieces against the trees of the
north woods.
No attempts will be made to SAL
wage the aircraft il intact. they said.
until spring, when the snow disap-
pears and travelling over the hazard.
Gus trails becomes safe