Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1926-12-22

in veritabls cloud, those winging
TO the southwark swinging TO right
angles a. the giant airplancs roae
from the water, gained altitude and
sped away on their mission Of good
viii to the countries south Of the
Rio Grande.
From the pier at Point Isabel han
dreds Of border residents watched
the planes skid over the waters OF
the Laguna, gain momentum and
swiftly take the air. There was a
wave Of the hand from each Of the
aviators. Rapidly they ascendsi.
manepvered into the N-forma ion
with Major III. "A. DarRue in the New
York at the apex, and then swiftly
faded from view into the blue Of the
Lower Rio Grande Valley sky.
The planes took the air az two
minute intervals, the New ork as
candinR NJ 2:4G, the Detroit being
the second to take air and the San
Francisco, San Antonio and st. Louis
following in succession.
Apparently every plane was func-
tioning perfectly. After their ar
rival at Point Isabel the aviators de-
voted four hours to experimenting
the refueling OF their machines. Ev-
cry stay and strut was examined, and
when they were finally left in the
custody Of the coast guard every
birdman was assured that his ma
chine was in readiness for the con-
tinuation Or the journey today.
Weather conditions are ideal for
the 253-mile trip down the laxsr
Gulf coast TO Tampieo, and Major
Dargue was confident the landing at
the Mexican oil port would be effect
ed in less than three hours after the
take-off from Point Isabel.
Reports received last night from
Iampico stated that rne flyers would
be received BY Governor Ports Gil Of
Tamaulipas. TampiCo civil and milf
tary officials and the entire Ameri-
can and English colonies.
The heavy fog which rolled in from
the Gulf shortly after q o'clock. due
10 change Of the wind from the
northeast TO the southwest, prevent
ed the morning take-off. The avia-
tors left Brownsville at o'clock.
arriving at Point Isabel at Q. but be-
fore the beachcd airplanes could be
towed from Padre Island to the CEN
ter OF the Laguna for the take-off.
the fog closed down. and the in,pa-
tIent airmen eager TO start their trim
70 the southwark were compelled Ia
await the lifting Of the cloudbank.
The little town Of Point Isabel. I'M
the transition from fishing village 10
seaport, yesterday afternoon res
ponded TO the most important visita-
tion since the vacationing there az
the late President Warren q. H1rd-
ing by turning out its entire popula-
tion TO see tn wonder ships OF Land
water and air alight on the bosom az
Laguna Madre and nestle among the
fishermen's sailing vessels.
First there was d craninr Of neckS
as private plane from Mercedes cir
cled the town several times and
whotted The imagination of the gath
cred townsmen and committee NJ vel
CONS from Brownsville. These soon
afterwards discerned a geometrical-
In perfect w" formation IN Nm.
north. The roaring of the plane.r
motors startled the wild life of "a
guna Nadre and immense flocis of
ducks and other water fowl rose
from the water and shore line, wing
ing away from the giant mechanical
birds that were on the horizon.
Boats Mark Landing
Coast guard cutters married The
place where the planes were 10 land
at the end Of the Rio Grnndc Rail-
road pier. There was expectancy rs
the crowd waited TO see the fir
landing Of the first ship in the ~
Easily 1t landed on Laguna NJ
glided on its surface and came
stop. The other four planes
lowed. landing at various pointAN
ttontinued on page eight.