Evening star., 1925-09-11
Saved From the Sea.

Adrift for nine days in the Pacific,
the ndssing seaplane PN-s No. 1 was
found yesterday Off the Island Of
Kauai with her crew OF five men alive
and well. This news thrills the people
Of the United States with gladness.
Vhen the plane disappeared in the
course Of an attempted flight from
San Francisco to Honolulu it was
hoped that she would be found quick
~ by the searching fotilla of de-
stroyers and submarines sent at once
to the rescue. But as days passed
with no trace Of the missing aviators
that hope faded It was feared that
The plane had sunk IN the stress OF
weather, and that probably the mys-
terry Of its disappearance would never
be solved. Each day added to the un-
likelihood Of rescue. Then suddenly
came the fash OF announcement that
Comdr. Rodgers and his men were
found.
When the plane was forced to de.
scsnd a few score miles east Of the
Island Of Maui, the first objective OF the
night, for lack of fuel, hope was ex-
pressed that II would be sustained
long enough to enable the searchers
10 rescue 1t. The plane was not off
course then, but there are strong cur
rents in the sea causing a drift. With
full knowledge Of these currents the
searchers spread out widely and
secured the ocean. 1t was suggested
at the time that possibly some eccen-
tricity Of the tide had bafffed the sal
wage forces. This has proved to be
the case. The plane was carried west
ward directly across the steamer lanes
a distance Of approximately 400 miles,
passing to the northward Of the Is-
lands of Maui, Molokai and Oahu, on
the last named Of which is Honolulu.
It Is possible that II it had not been
found when it was 1t would have gone
ashore on Kauai, which Is the most
northerly and. save for the small Island
Of Niihau, which lies to the southwest
OF Kauai, the most westerly OF the
Hawaiian group. Had 1t not been
the loss Of all occupants. on the
shores of Kauai 1t would perhaps then
have gone on into the vastness Of the
western Pacific.
The attempted fight from San Fran
cisco to Honolulu failed. One of the
three planes assigned to this under
taking did not start. One came down
a short distance from the mainland
with no loss Of life. though the plane
itself was wrecked on being towed
reached destination. Condr Rodgers
would probably have made land and
completed the fight but for the failure
Of his gasoline supply. Head winds
had reduced his speed and exhausted
his tanks. The fuel need Of the fight
had been underestimate. It is al
legged that the plane was overloaded,
carrying more men than were neces-
sary for its management, thus adding
to the weight and drain upon the fuel
store.
The rescue Of PN-9 No. leaves the
failure of this attempted flight free
from tragedy. The effort will probably
be renewed. The experience Of this
unsuccessful attempt can be put to
profitable account. II the type of
plane employed was not suitable an
other type will be adopted. Fuel sup
plies will be increased, perhaps each
crew will be reduced in number. The
suggestion, advanced by Col. Mitchell
in his broadside OF criticism against
the aviation policies of the Govern
ment, that the escort flotilla be sta
toned at closer intervals, and that
each ship move forward the moment
the planes are sighted to keep them
always in view Of at least one de-
stroyer. should be adopted. The ocean
stretch between the mainland and
Hawaii will be spanned through the
air eventually.