Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-07-17
Intrepid Sextet Make
Channel Flight in 3
Hours, A Minutes
Nearly Mobbed by
Over-Eager Crowd
Week of Preparation
Before Final Dash
Across Atlantic

LONDON, july 1V'DtoS "a ioiA
,,onzed American aviators. z44 flying
hours out Of Seattle and with two
birds of the worlds circumference
behind them, glided into the Croy-
don Airdrome Just outside London
mi, afternoon ready for their first
rsaI rest on the round the globe
sIght and for a week Of preparation
for their final dash across the At
nntic via Iceland and Greenland.
They left lie Bourget Airdrome out
side Paris at 11.05 o'clock this morn
ing fought headwinds all the way
across the English channel but
iuinped from the continent in other
wise perfect flying conditions, and
landed at the British airdrome just
hours and minutes later to be
greeted by q crowd of enthusiasts
who nearly mobbed them as they
climbed stiffiy from their cockpits.
They tried vainly to get good
stretch before they assumed COM
many manners to face the shower or
greetings from the British and Amer
lean Welcomers.
T0nlOTIOW tie IDlllcb, "hiSu IVA
months have undergone the severest
strain without showing any signs OF
.arious wear and tear. will go TO
Trough for the installation of new
engines and for a general tightening
up process before they hop off some
lime next week for Kirkwall in the
Orkneys. the last European stop.
The aviators' arrival was most cas-
nal. their only escort being a British
Messenger plane and several French
military planes, the latter of which
circled thrice around the field in a
farewell maneuver and headed back
toward Paris without landing.
The land greetings OF the Amert.
cans. however, was not at all casual
and the hobbies had n hard time pro-
tec,ing the planes and fiiers from
hutton. souvenir and autograph hunt
era and wid-eyed well-wishers who
,howered the six Americans with
congratulations.
Az the planes approached MIS-
Smart MacLaren. wife OF the BRIT
sh round tho world hfer. excited as
a school girl watched the machines
anxiousIy and whispered to COM
panicn. 4. .r.
my husband coming home
She was one of the first to con-
gratulate Lowell II. Smith. the
American commander. who Leaned
ont OF the fuselage of his plane ana
gave her a word of good cheer ABOUT
her husband.
The flagship Chicago" carrying
Lieutenant Leslie p. Arnold. his me-
chanic. was the first to land on the
field. Following 1t was the New
Orleans" carrying Lieutenant Johh
Harding. Jr., and the Boston. car
rying Lieutenant Leigh WADE ana
Sergeant A. NJ. Ogden. a., 81.
As the planes swept UP the nelo' the
crowd numbering several thousand,
burst into loud applause and rushed
toward them. Lieutenant Smith assur-
ID everyone that his men were all feel-
nE well and then sent to Mrs. Mac
Iaren about her husband: 81 am sorry
We missed him but am glad we were
able to help him"
"it's an experience I wouldn't take
million for. but L wouldn't start over
again for a million" Lieutenant Arnold
said
There was an Informal reception
when the aviators landed.
Tonight the flyers were the guests or
honor at an informal dinner at the
Royal Air Force Club and Friday they
will he entertained at a banquet at the
Royal Aero Club.
The worst of 1t is over" said Lieu
tenant Smith last evening. We've hao
some tough times and we've come
through them all right"
Smith said that he and his COM
ranions were looking forward to the
hnal stages of the journey. and while
not unmindful of the dangers to be met,
we're confident the planes would carry
through safely.
The machines. despite the fact that
they have only spent 10 hours in ham
EARS during the flight. show little signs
et wear and tear but the aviators want
Cd thorough inspection made.
After a days halt at Kirkwan the
tters will proceed directly to Iceland,
lying over the Farce Islands, where
stores have been provided in case dense
logs cause a forced landing.
Lieutenant Smith thinks he can ny
through with minimum delay and only
erief halts after leaving Brough. The
most complete arrangements have been
made in Iceland and Greenland for the
Journey over that territory. Lieuten-
ants Crumrine and Sohulty have pro-
uded stores at every likely halt. while
usnsh naval vessels have been courte.
Oasly provided TO keep in touch with
ne American fiiers when they are near
ae dangerous Greenland coast.
me Americans today showed keen
tterest in the progress OF Major Mac
sAfen, gave him the heartiest praise
pnrffG