New Britain herald., 1925-09-11
Found IS Miles at Sea


 Found Is miles northwest of Nawiliwili, approximately 45O miles from the spot where they were forced down. the submarine which located them sent food aboard and radiocast the news.
 In tow of a number of launches approaching the island, the connect- ing line snapped and the seaplane drifted onto coral reef, but 1t was pulled off. preached and the crew was landed.
 The 1AscueS men then unfolded their story of nine days drifting after which they discussed plans for towing the damaged plane to Pearl Harbor today.
 Residents of the islands gave the rescued men continued cheers as they were brought ashore.
 Heard News of "Loss"
 Navigator Cornell said that the hiers picked up radio messages at sea before the rescue, from the U, s. S. Langley. saying that at a con- ference of 21 pilots it was unani. mously agreed that the PN-s, No l. and Its crew were lost. That made me angry"
 Commander Rodgers handling of the disabled plane was highly praised by all members of the crew. Swearing by tke commander, the men told how he would deprive himself of rafons and water but would insist the crew take their full share. The commander received bad finger cuts from the towline which was being used to get the sea. plane ashore after 1t was found by the submarine.
 Show Signs of Strain
 At their hotel the fiiers showed re. action of the strain they had been under, all talking at once and try- ing to tell the high lights of their narrowing experience. Physiclans expressed the belief that it would be necessary to give them hypo- dermics to calm them so that they could sleep,
 Too Excited to Sleep Lihue. Island of Kauai, Sept, ii R'--1n country hotel in this sleepy Hawaiian village early this morning, live men-heroes of the greatest aviation adventure in history-sat around. too excited ot sleep, all talk. ing simultaneously. attempting to give the high lights of their 2is hours of drifting in 8 disabled sea- plane without gasoline.
 The most poignant point in their experience was the ability to listen to radio messages from searching ships saying that hope of & rescue was being abandoned. that the sea- plane had cracked" when it was dashed to fuelless forced landing Tn mid-Pacific. Every member of the crew commented on this phase of their situation, adding that in- ability to broadcast messages while they were able to receive. prevented them from replying.
 Story of Priyation
 An amazing story of privation was pieced together out of the running fire Of cross conversation in the little hotel. The talk was inter rupted when naval surgeons forced the crew to bed. They were told to forget temporarily and strict orders were issued forhidding visitors to disturb them until they awakened.
 We were forced to land at sea after the second day cut from San Francisco" said one member of the crew. We sighted merchant vcs- sel five miles off. Signals were sent up repeatedly and every effort was made to attract attention Of the vessel but 1t passed on.
 'our plane was able to pick UT messages from the steamer which refused to divulge its name, but drifted to the northwest. Ther came a period of added suspense After that no planes or ships wer, sighted until last Tuesday when V, saw a plane of the coast of Oahu | Plane Was Seawurfhy
 "The plane was seaworthy ard stood the rough weather we'll" said Commander Rodgers. we experi enced bad weather for just one das