The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1924-08-26
Men Sick and Fatigued
Hauled Ashore by Line -
Discovery of Air Craft
One of Many Dramatic
Events in Around World
Flight

On Board the cruiser Richmond,
Aug. 26.-Discovery late last night
of the Italian scaplane piloted by
Lieut.. LocAtelli. and the rescue of
\e four occupants after it had toss
ed about for more than four hours
was dramatic feature of the world
flight
The Richmond, flagship of Rear
admiral MacGruder Of the American
world flyers, was putting out to sea
for the night after a fruitless search,
when at ll:45 lights were seen and
the course was changed in the direc-
tion of the lights.
BObbing On Water
1t was after midnight when the
plane was seen bobbing on the water,
and was picked up by the Richmond
search light at point 1876 miles
due east of Cape Farewell. the south
ern most point on the coast of Green
land.
As the Richmond drew near the
plane, line was thrown to them,
the plane was hauled astern, and the
flyers taken on board, suffering from
sea sickness and fatigue, which soon
disappeared under the influence of
coffee and sandwiches. The wings
and the steering apparatus of the
craft had been injured.
The craft was destroyed, and the
effects of the destruction could be
seen in the eyes of the flyers who
had travelled in it from Pisa.
Soon after being cut loose, the
tank exploded, and the seaplane sank.
Considered A Miracle
The finding of the seaplane in
these waters after it had drifted be-
yond the probable zone searched by
the American naval vessel is regard
ed as miraculous. 1t had been send
ing up rockets every three hours,
and the supply was almost exhausted.
Lieut.. Locatelli, who was on watch
as the rocket ascended, remarked:
"Oh, whats the use," but a few min
utes later they saw an answering
signal from the Richmond.
1t was.a dramatic scene when the
vessel approached. Admiral MacGru-
der. officers, and crew lined the
deck. every eye trained upon the dis
abled craft as it rose and fell with
the waves. while motion picture oper-
ators worked their cameras.
Crossio, soon after climbing up
the sea ladder to the Richmond's s
deck, stretched himself wearily, and
then said calls we'll that ends we'll"
Locatelli watched grimly while the
plane was being destroyed. The two
engineers suffered the most, being
seasick.
Locatelli said he had been forced
down by minor engine troubles, and
unacquainted with the rough north
ern seas, had landed heavily, smash
ing two trucks, and damaging the
rudder stabalizer.
Sea Too Rough
Unable to take off owing to the
roughness of the water. Locatelli and
Crossio sang Italian songs, and made
light of the situation, to keep up the
mems courage.
The motion of the waves, the cold,
and the fog combined to make their
position most uncomfortable, but
there was not actual suffering. There
was food for six days on the plane
when it was found.
When questioned whether he had
feared for the outcome, Locatelli
shrugged his shoulders, which might
be interpretated to say, ats all in
the game"
AS the plane was set on fire and
freed from the stern of the Rich
mond, Locatelli and Crossio watch
ed the destruction Of their hopes
Only one remark was made: Locatclli
said: What of the American flight ?
1s ~ nvnr0O