New Britain herald., 1925-09-12
THRILLING STORY
 TOLD BY AV|ATORS
Thrice Disappointed as Rescue
 Seemed at Hand
SHARKS WAITING FOR END
Naval Men Give Graphic Account of Their Long Drift In Helpless Sea- plane--Each Man Modest Him self but Praises Companions.
By The Associated Press.

self but Praises Companions. By The Associated Press.
 Honolulu, Sept, 12-Sharks, bug. zards of the sea rolled and wallowed around and around the plane, fol- lowing the floating PN-9 No. 1 with It's crew for most of the more than 2lS hours that they drifted, 1t was revealed In the talks of the three en- listed men who gave to their com mander credit for the indomitable spirit and the never-s -say-die attitude which brought them safely through.
 Trio Praises Rodgers.
 Without stint, the trio praised Rodgers, whose dream had failed to come true by less than two hundred miles for lack of gas.
 "Yes, there were sharks, big black fellows that followed day after day always waiting. I suppose. for a choice bit of human flesh" said Will liam H. Bowlin. aviation chief ma- chinists mate, and the other two chimed assent.
 Gas Gives Out.
 Our gas gave out at 4:15 D. m., San Francisco time, the day after we hoped off, said Bowlin. We were still in the air with our engines cut off and we glided to a safe landing, although the water was a bit rough. It was not raining at the time, but we had run into a slight squall a short time before.
 An hour or so after we came down orders were given to cut away the fabric from the lower planes. This is hard and fast rule for all planes making a forced landing which are likely to be at the mercy of the waves for any length of time. The fabric was saved and we later fashioned sails with it.
 Then the Long Wait
 Then began the long wait. Stantz, our radio man. could hear the mes sages of alarm that went out over our sudden drop from sight. It was a queer sensation that-listening to those hunting for us and being un- able to communicate with them. That's the way it went, day after day. One day, I cant remember which, we sighted commercial steamer about five miles to the star board. It was early in the morning and the sun was behind us, so that suppose we were not visible to the lookout on the ship.
 Sights Another Ship
 About the third day, 1 think 1t was, we sighted the Pelican, 20 miles away. We were certain that we had been sighted and would be picked up, as she seemed to be steaming for us, but after coming on mile or so she put about and headed south. Again, as we neared the shore of Oahu, which we later sight ed, we saw two planes. but just as they were about to approach us they, too, turned back. Fate Cer- tainly seemed against us.
 Three times we thought we were sighted, only to see the ship or plane put about. Believe me. that was tough, wasn't 1t?
 Driftcd Away Again
 After we sighted the north shore of Oahu we thought we would be able to land there, but the wind shifted and we drifted away again. That, think, was when our hopes sank to their lowest ebb. It was too much, and l, for one, was ready to call the shark up and say: Come and get me any time you're ready, big boy But 1t was here that Mr. Rodgers showed his stuff. He ioshed us along, kidding us. and said: Hell, boys, we might be worse off than this. Why, l once knew a man who was adrift with nothing but a log under him for Is days,
 "We drifted for two more days I think, when a rainstorm struck us. It was then we managed to get our first drop of really fresh water, We put out bucket over the side and spread some fabric to catch it. Big boy, 1t certainly felt good.
 In answer to questions about food, Bowlin said we hadn't any, we ate most everything we had the first two days. Water was all we had to keep us alive for eight days of the time we were adrift. We managed to distill a little each day with Cap tain Johns still, that's all that kept us alive"
 Bowln continued to say that they never really felt themselves endan- gered as far as capstzing was con- cerned, and that while choppy seas were encountered at times, there never was a really strong storm. Our only fear on that score was that pontoon might become pune tured or waterlogged and tip the plane, but this never happened, which certainly is a recommenda- ton for that type of plane"
 The trio agreed that the most hazardous experience as far as cap sizing was after they had been lowed into Nawiliwili harbor Thursday night and lost anchor. The boats that came from off shore had trouble In getting 8 line aboard because of the darkness and because of the un- certainty on their part of our exact position. We had no lights. you know. It was then that Captain John had his finger broken and the others received several scratches apiece"
 "Silcnt Prayers"
 The trio was asked whether any prayer was offered up when the R-4 picked you up?"
 Well nothing actually spoken, but l reckon we all gave a silent prayer of thanks; at least I did" one of the boys admitted and the others as- sented
 Stantz Is very modest over his own efforts, merely mumhling smil-