The Washington times., 1924-07-31
FL|ERS HELD IN
SCOTLAND
BY FOG
Flight Postponed Officially.
VIII Continue Tomorrow If
Weather Permits
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-. 1n,. tho hn,,-ee1 n.,o,. Aln rrnrth

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ness for the hop.off over the North
Atlantic.
The distance from KirkweIl to
Hornfjord. Iceland. ii about 500
miles. The United states destroy
ers. the Reid and BilIingsley. are
stationed between this port and the
Iceland coast.
Two stops are to be made at Ice.
land, the second being at Reykjavik.
The cruiser Richmond, flagship
Of the guard flotilla, with Rear Ad.
miral Thomas p. MaGruder on,
board, win follow the flyers from
Houton Bay.
Hourly reports on weather con-
ditions were received on board the
Richmond by wireless.
While the fog at dawn was 30
thick that visibility was extremely
low. Lieutenant Smith and his COM
panions said they believed they
could fly over the mist, rising to an
altitude where 1t would be clear.
Rear Admiral MaGruder feared
that the aviat0rs would be taking
too much risk to take of in the
murk and counseIIed delay.
Reports from Iceland said that
fog was general In that district and
that It would be dangerous to try
to find the coast.
As the day advanced the weather
here cleared somewhat and the i'm
patient airmen grew hopeful that
they could start before afternoon.
We are restless and want TO get
away at the earliest possible mo-
ment, said Lieutenant Smith.
win Take Pigeon.
Realizing the dangers Of the
transatlantic hop-om to Iceland the
aviators took the utmost precau.
tons for safety. In addition to
fog, gales are frequent over the
north Atlantic and the sea Is filled
with icebergs and foes.
They planned to take cartier
pigeons with them IN the event
they get out Of touch with the
conveying cruisers and degtroyers.
They win attempt to keep in COM
munication with the ships by wire.
less.
Lieutenant Erik Nelson said that
the men did not fear the fog. but
did not wish to take any chances
that might appear foolhardy.
The fog this morning appears
to be very low and think we
could fly over It." said Nelson.
but our departure must depend
upon reports from Iceland. We are
not going to invite dangers which
might lead to disaster. !"
-
the Richmond win steam for
IReykjavik, the second stop Of the
aviators upon the rocky, ice-bound
island OF Iceland.
The aviators and their airplanes
are In fine condition. The machines
were carefully overhauled. Il was
found that the trip up the coast
from Brough had not strained any
Of the parts.
A considerable crowd, made IN
mostly OF fishermen and Their
wives, were on the shore at day
break to see the aviators OFF. They
listened in vain for the roar OF
the motors as they peered through
the misty weather into Houton Bay.
--
Nova Scotia Plans Welcome.
PICTOU, Nova Scotia, July 31.--
Plans are under way here today
for an imposing welcome for the
United States army round the-world
fliers on their arrival here from
Laborador.
The municipal council has voted
$500 and similar fund viii be sub
scribed for the entertainment OF
the aviators while they are here. !
A committee will invite, Cover
nor Cox OF Massachusetts,, and Pre-.
mier Armstrong, Of Nova Scotia, to
preside at the official ceremonies.
The Canadian government Is send
ing the cruiser Patriot to Pictou to
take part In the ceremonies.
Five United States destrcyers.
which have been in port here, left
during the night to patrool the
route Of the airmen over the North
Atlantic. They win await further
instructions after reaching the
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