Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1921-01-20

hight ldnhS WlLn any deTldl event
q J attempted anywhere The bird
men flew at least 1000 miles
81 Of virgin territory, without land
wv marks Landing fields They
landed fifty times on strange fields, often almost
impossible as landing places
The British last spring attempted to fly from
Egypt to the cape, the wilds of Africa. One
pilot reached the destination, but only after he
had replaced his machine and motors and after
much delay and inconvenience.
In the transContnental reliability test last au-
tunn. Lieut.. Belyn Maynard, the winner broke
his motor near Omaha, and had to change it
tlrely before proceeding. Only Liberty motor
succeeded in making the journey both ways.
Compared to the nonstop flight made by the
Engshman, John Acock, which gained for him
recognition from the British government in the
form of knghthood, most fers will agree that the
Alaskan flight is a greater feat, The Alaskan
flight was steady grind of over three months
duration.
The personnel of the expedition as follows:
Plane No. l, Capt. st. Clair Street, in command
of expedition; Sergt. Edmund Henrques, mechani-
clan; No. 2, piloted in turn by First Lieut.. Cliff
ford c. Mutt and Second Lieut. Eric c. Nelson,
engineering officer; No. B. Lieut.. c. H. Cumrine
Photographic officer, Sergt. A. L. Vierra No. 4,
Lieut.. r. G. Kirkpatrick information officer, Jo-
seph E. English. Capt Howard T. Douglas went
ahead of the flyers, making preliminary arrange
ments and blazing the trail
Here are some closeup" pen pictures secured
from Lieutenant Mutt
"We cut across the international line when we
landed at Portal From Portal to Saskatoon was
the only leg Of the journey in which we had
the wind with We made the 80 miles in
three hours, and at Saskatoon got our first taste
of that Canadian hospitality which added so ire
mendously to the enjoyment of the long journey.
Almost Of no nIotin pIIrl Aynor
can born, Canadians in spirit
About 100 miles from Saskatoon we left the
prairie country, and got into region Of forests
and lakes, with rolling hills, some Of them 6200
feet high. At Edmonton, Captain Streets ma
chine had leak in the gas tank, and we were
held up there for three days, getting that patched
up. The people at Edmonton intensely in
terested in aviation as a means of developing the
country. They talked of getting planes to survey
the Peace river country to the north of them, a
big stretch of arabic land wholly undevel-
Oped, pack mules being the only means Of trans
portation.: The transportation to mines Of the
region also offered another opportunity for avi-
alton to exemplify its usefulness.
"Our first attempt to leave Edmonton was I'M
successful because of lOw-hanging clouds. Taking
off at 1000 feet, we had to drop to 300 and when
about 100 miles out, Street motioned us to
turn. The next day, in spite of stiff wind we
dian national park, 400 miles long by 100 wide
Astounding with game and fish. Here we found
one of the best landing fields the whole route
Colonel Rogers, warden Of the park, met and
extended cOurtesies and hospitality. Tents were
provided for accommodation with Chinese
cook in the mess tent. Gas and oil were the
field, and after cleaning up 'busses' and get
ting everything in shape for the next day. we felt
decidedly as if we needed bath. We set out,
N take 81 din in thp Athab0Sca river
but were warned that should find the water
too cold so with guide, we set out for little
lake about half mile away, which, we were told
was good bathing place. When were ready
for the dip somebody stuck his foot in the water
to try the temperature Well all | say is,
If the Athabasca river is colder than that little
lake was, then it's record-breaker for temper
eture. But it choice Of two evils We were
ready for bath; either had TO get in the
water and take 1t, cold as it was, he literally
eaten up by mosquitoes. We chose the water. 1t
is impossible to conceive the multiplicity and
ferocity of the mosquitoes in this region; and in
deed to the very northernmost limit of our flight.
They almost block traffic they are 50 numerous,
and they certainly block progress preventing work
at some seasons Of the year.
"Soon after the hop-off at Jasper Captain
Streets machine caught fire, caused by the oil
tanks being too full and overlooking down the
exhaust pipe. Henriques who driving, put
the plane into a side slip and going to land
in the river but as they descended, the change
of balance stopped the flow of oil and the fire
tinguished itself. We got into Prince George just
ahead of ranstorm, and without Street. We
lighted flares to aid him In finding the landing
field Outline of the field was however, Of course
indefinite; so when Street aghted he came in
with great speed and Overshot rolling out Of the
field into cut-over stretch where he struck a
stump that took off about four feet of the end of
his left wing, breaking both main spars and tear
ing all the ribs out, also the left half Of his hori
| zonta stabzer and the aileron. TO get wing
sent to us in the quickest possible space Of time,
would take eight days from Mather field, Sacra-
mento Cal, the nearest point available. SO
got busy on the job ourselves, with the help Of
a big Swede carpenter who was q wonder and