Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-08-18

Following Is the method Lieut..
Wyatt used to make the estimate:
There are 231 cubic inches In
gallon of gasoline. Mildred Doran
plane carried 400 gallons of tankage.
or 81 cubic feet.
One cubic foot of air has 81 pounds
of buyancy. Then 81 cubic feet
would have 3,400 pounds of buoyancy
or would support that weight in the
water.
The plane can dump the gasoline
automatically so the air can rush In.
It weighs unloaded 2,160 pounds.
which subtracted from 3,400 pounds
buoyancy leaves an excess OF l,24O
hounds which the tanks can float.
Lieut.. Wyatt believes that the sea
would not break up the plane struc-
ture for at least "a hours and If the
sea Is calm he believes that the plane
could float even longer period.
Navy Sends Planes on Ships.
From San Diego the Navy aircraft
carrier Langley and tender Aroostook
were steaming north with seaplanes
and observation planes and skilled
naval ayiators aboard. prepared to go
aloft in their search after the vessels
turn west on the course to Honolulu.
At midnight the missing planes had
been out more than "a hours, long
past the time when their gasoline sup
ply would have kept them on the
wing.
Miss Doran's plane went into the
race after it was forced back to the
Oakland airport from its first start IN
the Dole derby on Tuesday on account
OF engine trouble and went out again
despite the warning Of Lieut.. Wyatt.
who had inspected all entrants in the
aerial contest.
But Miss Doran was adamant IN
her refusal to remain behind in the
race. and Joined with Pedlar ana
Knope in a second start down the
runway and of through the Golden
Gate.
Today all the modern agencies OF
communication were thrown into Iuli
play in search for the missing planes,
neither of which carried radio sending
sets.
Airplanes Scan Ocean.
Airplanes were looming out from
the shores of Hawaii and California
scanning the broad expenses or the
Pacific. where the flyers may be bat
ting the elements hoping to sight
rubber inflated lifeboats. which they
took for Just such an eventuality.
The fate Of the Miss Doran was
cause for greatest anxiety. owing TO
the fear it may have been forced down
soon after it left the starting point
and dumped into the sea with ton OF
gasoline in the tanks. The possibilities
OF a smash-up and quick sinking
doomed large in this picture. for the
planes loads would have made land
ing at sea q most hazardous task.
The Golden Eagle presented a more
hopeful prospect. It was sent into
the race equipped to care Tor Just
such an emergency. Its navigator was
considered one of the most sklliIui'
and Pilot Frost had a machine per-
forming perfectly at the take,on. II
forced into the open sea, the landing
gear could be dropped after the plane
reached the water. The doors and all
other openings were lined with rubber
to make the Golden Eagle seaworthy.
The Miss Doran presented different
picture. 1t put back to Oakland on &C.
count of engine trouble, and X the
trouble developed soon after the plane
got out to sea and a quick forced
landing was necessary the odds would
be against a safe come-down.
Lieut.. Wyatt made the following
statement concerning the missing
planes:
II am of the opinion that the Mildred
Doran plane was forced down by en-
CINE trouble. Pedlar. the pilot, on his
return to the field was warned against
taking off again, sinCo I did not be-
lieye that changing the spark plugs
would rectify the motor trouble which
forced him back. 1 believe he ex-
perience the same motor trouble that
forced the Oklahoma out of the race.
IT am at a loss to explain the non
arrival Of the Golden Eagle, since this
plane was probably the best equipped
in the race. It was provided with
radio receiver with which to hear the
radio beacon. The navigator, Gordon
Scott, was one Of the best in the race,
and am satisfied that he did not stray
far enough off the course to have
missed the islands.
lit Is unfortunate that Miss Mildred
Doran attempted the fight, but since
she was determined to go, nothing
could be done to prevent it. Both
Knope and Scott are good navigators
and could put their ships in Honolulu
barring any accident. 1t is possible
that either of the planes could have
landed on one of the islands. and 1t
might be several days before they are
heard from"
Gasoline Tank Added Hazard.
Another hazard in the makeup of
the Miss Doran was the $50 gallons
of gasoline. which was held in tank
separating the pilot and the naviga-
tors cabin. Miss Doran was seated
beside the navigator when the plane
left Oakland. and 1t was her plan to
make the trip in the rear cabin. beside
Lieut.. Knope.
II the plane landed safely. the gaso-
line tanks could be drained in a few
minutes and give the craft buoyancy
sufficient to keep it afloat.
II crash resulted from the forced
landing and the plane was damaged,
and it's occupants possibly injured.
the only hope was in an inflated rub.
her liferaft It would carry three