The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-10-22
PLANE LANDS
IN,SEA AFTER
SHORT FLIGHT
Mrs. Grayson Describes Pre-
dicament, Explaining That
Wind Was Too Strong
EXPECTS TO TRY AGAIN
Machine Goes Two Miles Be,
yond Cape Elizabeth Light
Ship Before Returning

CHlp DClOIG xSStOI u4uX
Old Orchard, Maine, Oct. g.
-tF>-Pilot Wilmer Stultx, with
whom the final decision on the
flight Of the Sikorsky plane,
the Dawn, rests, this afternoon
set early tomorrow nOrninx %
the earliest date for another 1t.
tempt to get away on the ocean
flight. IF We went late this
afternoon" he said, I'VE would
not only have two nights Of fly.
ing, but for the first 10 hours
mostly in the dark would have
10 take the ship 1t almost - low
altitude Is l had today"
Old Orchard. Maine, Oct, 22.-
tR - The amphibian monoplane
Dawn, took off from here 1t 6:16
a. nj. today, and after heading out
to sea on projected flight to
Copenhagen, Denmark, turned about
and landed safely in the water 1t
GAO a. m. In the plane were Mrs.
Frances Wilson Grayson with VIII
mer Stultz, pilot, and Brice Colds
borough, navigator.
The plane floated 4 few hundred
feet off shore while the raised land
ing gear was lowered to permit Z
Bleaching.
The plane, with it's own power,
headed through the breakers and
safely landed on the beach at ESQ.
Wind Too Strol.
Mrs. Frances w. Grayson said on
landing:
1--WE just could not fly down wind,
that's ALL"
Both engine fuel tanks had been
opened, dropping 260 gallons Of
gasoline. Mrs. Grayson said the
ship had reached 4 point two miles
beyond Cape Elizabeth Light Ship.
when the return deciaion was made.
The plane had scarcely touched
the beach when Mrs. Crayson
leaned from the cabin window and
ordered fresh gasoline supply.
Describing the predicament which
forced the return, she said:
I'VE were not more 4.an two feet
from the water when Pilot Stultz
decided it WaS hopeless to continue.
At that time we were making near
~ 125 miles an hour, which is alto
getEer too fast to hit the waves
with safety. Navigator Colds
borough pulled oil tank valve wires.
as he did on tha previous attempt,
and we gained altitude"
Second Start Not Likely
The possibility of another take
off this afternoon seemed remote
after a conference on the beach be-
twee.l Mrs. Graysou. Pilot Stultx
and Igor SikorSky, builder Of the
plane.
"Of course. If conditions are ab.
solutely right and the plane is still
in perfect shape, as we think she is,
We could not afford to miss such m
opportunity" said Ms. Grayson.
"But neither Pilot Stultz nor my
self like the ides of two nights Of
flying"
The explanation Of how the ship
was able to fly 12 miles before it
was turned back was given by Pilot
Stultz.
"The. wind was stronger 50 feet
above The surface than it was near
the ocean level" he said. I'VE
would rise until the tail wind had
freshened to a point where it forced
US down. We then would drop until
only q few feet from the water and
/ thought we would hit
it. Then with diminished wine. We
would catch and climb again. !
knew we could not keep that w."
Plane Carried Extra Gas
It was discovered yesterday that
the plane carried 921 gallons Of
gasoline instead Of $50 odd, which
was deemed necessary for the flight.
Mrs. Grayson today said it was
probable that this extra supply
would not be reloaded, which would
tighten the ship by moro than 400
pounds.
Continuing Ter discussion Of this
flight, Mrs. Grayson said:
1T was a terrible beach to take
off from this morning. Pilot Stultx
had f..irly to pall the plane into the
air"
By the time the plane started it,
run down the beach 1t 6:15, the tide
had crept in, leaving only 4 compar-
atively narrow path on the upper
sand which is softer than that un-
covered at dead low tide.
The plane was forced to rul much
further than on the previous 1T
tempt last Tuesday. It was fully !
mile and . quarter and perhaps !
mile and 4 half before the wheels
eft the ground for the last time.