Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-06-09
Southern Cross Aviators, Safe at
Journeys End, Are Being Feted
Flight Establishes
Record for Long
Ocean Jump

BRISBANE, Australia, June up
Home again, a hero in his own
land, Charles Kingsford-Smith, pilot
Southern Cross. today enjoyed the
tumultous welcome Of the citizens Of
Brisbane and Australia.
He bro1ght the huge tri-motored
monoplane TO a perfect landing here
8. 10:10 o'clock this morning, COM
pleting the last and most dangerous
leg Of his transoceanic flight, from
Suva, Fiji Islands, 1852 miles. The
flight was made in less than 21
hours at an average speed Of Sc
miles an hour.
Showered with gifts. including
900 in gold from the Australian
government for the unprecedented
record breaking flight from Oakland,
Cal, TO Brisbane, Captain Kingsford-
Smith gave credit for the success
of the 1900 mile aerial voyage to
his three associates. Captain G. r..
Tim, co-pilot, a fellow Australian,
and two Americans, Harry Lyon, his
navigator, and James Warner, radio
operator.
Crowds Throng Field
Enormous crowds were up at
dawn to welcome the fliers. Every
road leading to the Eagle Farm land
ing field was blocked hours before
the Southern Cross was sighted.
Captain Kingsford- Smith brought
the plane through a storm which
tested the ability Of the crew
throughout the night. Land was
&C. - n-H
north Of here. This was due to the
fierce winter storm which threw the
plane slightly off course. But the
navigator recovered bearings and
headed south for the landing field
here.
Despite the hectic night Of fly
irg, the Southern Cross crew ex-
perienced no i'll effects. The popu-
lace Of Brisbane greeted the aerial
conquerors Of the Pacific with open
arms. After the first round OF
cheering and speeches OF welcome.
members Of the crew were escorted
70 the city where joyous crowds
lined the pathway of the airmen,
cheering them with vita enthusiasm.
Coolidge Sends Praise
In Brisbane, Captain Kingsford-
Smith found message from Presi-
dent Coolidge, expressing hearty
congratulations 10 you and your
companions on your successful flight
from Oakland to Australia. Your
brilliant courageous pioneering has
advanced the cause of aviation and
strengthened the bonds between
your commonwealth and our coun-
try"
From Los Angeles, G. A. Hancock.
millionaire sportsman who backed
the flight, sent word that as q token
"a friendship and tribute TO Kings
ford-Smith and Ulm, he would make
them a gift Of the Southern Cross
and cancel all indebtedness.
After the round Of receptions and
welcomes here. the Southern Cross
will make the final hop of the flight
an overland hop of 500 miles from
Brisbane to Sydney, distance sur
rounded by none of the perils OF
previous legs of the adventurous
rransoceanic flight.
Americans Quit Ship
Under the plan announced before
the plane left Suva, the Americans.
Lyon and Warner. will leave the
N"NtANAA "a 0tocc mere 1nRlr original
contract called for a flight from
Oakland to Suva. but they consent
cd TO remain with the expedition on
the hop TO Brisbane. upon The re-
quest OF Captain kingsford- Smith.
The fliers left Oakland THURSDAY.
May 81. They landed at Honolulu
distance Of 2400 miles, less than
2s hours later. On June 8, the
Southern Cross was off for Suva.
After a storm lodging flight over 4
:,l3s mile course at 81 miles an
hour. the plane landed at Suva.
From that point the final over
water jump was made to Brisbane
l,726 miles distant. In all the South
ern Cross covered 1900 miles in an
rroximately 81 1-2 hours.
Aviators and radiomen regarded
as one Of the outstanding accom-
rlishments Of the crew, the almost
continuous radiocast story Of the
three hops. The ability Of LYON 10
keep The ship on its course on the
stormy flight to Suva. smallest tar
get on the entire trip, brought praise
from many sources.