Evening star., 1927-08-23
NOPE FOR FLYERS
RETURN EXPRESSED
EAember of Rodgers Expedi-
ton Believes Dole Con-
tenders May Be AIfye.
u the Associated Press.

SAN DIEGO. Calf. August 20
Lieut. Byron j. Connell. who was a
Iaembar of the crew of the Pms No. /.
= seaplane, which was adrift in the
Tactic for nine days in 1925 after il
was forced down while attempting Il
ron-stop flight from San Francisco to
| onolulu. still has hopes that the crews
or the Golden Eagle, Miss Doran and
the Dallas Spirit may be picked up.
In statement Lieut.. Connell re.
counted his experiences with the
Rodgers expedition, the days he spent
on the seaplane after il was forced
Gown and details comparing the
Rodgers seaplanc to the Dole flight
planes now missing.
"If the planes forced down carried!
one gallon of water per person theN
should be able to last two weeks at "A
r1inimum. and ! still have hopes that
they may be picked up, It all depends
On the landing they made, he salu'
Compares Planes.
Lieut.. Connell's statement contln-
ues. in part:
There is no comparison between
the seaworthy qualities of our sea
plane, which had boat hull and the
land planes employed on the recent
fight. The results of the recent flight
emphasi the importance OF the dc
Nelopment of the flying boats for such
long overseas flights. Little develop
rlent of planes similar to the Pm type
has been carried on by commerclal IN
1erests in this country, although many
foreign manufacturers have been con
tinuany developing this type.
"The failure of our flight to HAWAII
was due to failure of our gasoline sup
Ind 1c ia
northeast trade wins which a study
OF wind conditions for a period of 20
wears indicated we had a right TO eX-
pect after reaching point 500 miles
out from San Francisco.
Lieut.. Connell's statement described
the landing of the Pms No. / a dis
tance of 800 miles from the nearest
island. 1t was necessary to sail the
plane 450 miles before reaching the
island of Kauai. he said. since the
northeast trade winds were generally
in that direction. Weather condl-
tions were favorable and their aver
ge speed was so miles day. On the
ninth day. September 10, they sighted
Kauai While smoke signals were
being sent up a submarine sighted the
plane and towed it ashore.
Believes Planes Would Float.
Referring to the Dole flyers, he said
he believed that if they were forced
down from a sufficient altitude to en-
able part of the gasoline to be Waived,
and if normal landing was made,
the planes would float for a con-
siderable period of time, at least suffi-
cient for the imitation of the RATS and
transfer of food and water.
II also believe" he continued, 'that
an air raft would keep them afloat in
definitely, depending upon their water
supply. Our greatest hardship was
the lack of water, and each man in
our crew made his two quarts of
water last about seven days by care
fully conserving it. On the eighth
day of our sail a heavy rain squall
was encountered and a considerable
quantity was caught in our sails,
which Immediately revived all hands.
Lack of food for seven days
caused no great suffering. ="
Radio Transmitter Is Necessary.
He said it was unfortunate that
radio transmiter was not carried by
all the Dole flyers.
Many false impressions had been
given in accounts of the Rodgers
flight. Lieut.. Connell asserted. He said
he wished to correct such statements
a that the Rodgers plane was found
200 miles at sea, drifting helplessly,
and statements which indicated that
Comdr. Rodgers navigation was in
error and that the plane was not
properly equipped.