Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-07-28
LNDBERGHS LEAVE
ONLONG AIR CRUISE
Take OFF for Maine on First
Lap of Flight to
Orient.
CONTINUED From First Page.(

tn warm up his motor. He then turned
south and after a run of more than
half mile, lifted the heavily loaded
plane into the air on the first leg OF
the long fight.
In the vicinity of Alexandria he
turned slowly to the left and headed
back up the river. Passing over the
station at an altitude Of 1900 feet he
rocked the ship slowly in gesture OF
farewell to those who assisted him our
ing the past "a hours in completing
arrangements for the adventure.
AS ne passed over the station scrap
Of white paper fluttered from the plane,
but those at the station could not tell
where it landed. and no importance was
attached to the incident, although
number of bystanders seemed to think
it was note.
Headed for North Haven.
Col. Lindbergh headed for North
Haven, Me, the Summer home OF his
father in-law, Senator Dwight w. Nor
row, Of New Jersey, where they plan to
spend the night and BID Charles, jr.,
eood-by. Mrs. Lindbergh was operating
the ships radio and acting as navigator
when the first leg of the long cruise
began.
After completing last-minute passport
arrangements, Col and Mrs. Llndbergh
arrived at Anacostia shortly after 10
O'Clock to check with Government ex-
perts their radio and several navigation
instruments upon which they must de-
pend for safety in crossing some OF the
worlds most barren expanses.
The plane was towed in from its moor
ing place in the AnacoStia River and
was beached in front of the Seaplane
hangar at the local air station. Lind
Lad A0 ~ IN
work in the forward cockpit while two
sailors unreeled the planes antenna and
stretched it out so Mrs. Lindbergh could
operate the radio.
After a talf hour OF hard work, the
colonel climbed out, dripping with per
sriration, to put in call to New York
for weather information. Mrs. Lind
berGh continued her work on the radio,
invisible to the crowd behind the high
ccwling of the rear cockpit
Mrs Lindbergh worked with the radio
fo" nearly two hours before she was
satisfied with its performance. During
this time Capt. Emory S. Land of the
Nay Bureau of Aeronautics, who for
merlv was associated with Lindbergh in
the Daniel Guggenheim Fund for the
Promotion of Aeronauics. assisted Mrs.
Lindbergh in working out interference
which prevented clear reception of mes
May Stop at North Beach.
Among the friends of Col and Mrs.
Iindbergh at the station was Lieut.
Carl B. Harper, U. s. N. who resigned
from the Navy Bureau Of AeronauticS
two months ago to take a large part in
the designing of the Lindbergh plane.
Lieut. Harper conducted all the test
flights with the new ship prior to its
Acceptance by Iindbergh
Lindbergh said he expected to make
North Haven today, but that If the
radio was not working satisfactorily be-
tween here and New York, they ex-
pected to stop at North Beach, N. Y,
for the night.
Col and Mrs. Lindbergh came to
Washington yesterday prepared, except
for few last off1cial details, for the
beginning of their 7,000-mile trip, much
Of which will be over uninhabited and
unchartered wilderness. Their plane
vas heavy with luggage, which was
taken ashore last evening and stored
under guard in the Office of Comdr.
Warren G. Child in command Of the
Anacostia Station. They are carrying
full camping equipment-fur and leath-
er garments. heavy blankets. camp cook
stove, full mess kits, compressed emer-
gency rations. csnteens, a machete and
80 caliber pistol. A tightly bound
bundle of maps and charts. radio code
book and log books also were put
ashore
The Lindberghs have prepared care
fully for their trip and are equipped
to live for days or even weeks in the
wilderness in case of necessity.
Their business here this morning in
Guided visits to the State Department
and japanese embassy to obtain the
final diplomatic papers necessary Tor
their fight. which is to take them
through Canada. Alaska. Siberia, Japan
and China They also wanted to check
some of their navigational instruments
and radio before actually getting started
on the long trip.
The LindberghS gave their sleek low
wing monoplane its first cross country
run with the load it must carry third
Of the way around the globe yesterday
afternoon when they few from New
York to Washington.
Mrs. Lindbergh Tests Radio.
They took off from North Beach,
Long Island, at 3:05 o'clock, the colonel
flying the ship and Mrs. Lindbergh test
ing out the planes new and powerful
radio equipment maintaining Commu
nlcation during the fight with the Pan
American Always Station in New York
Though the plane has been equipped as
a eaplane, with big twin pOntoOnS, the
colonel headed boldly across country on
the direct line to the Capital.
Flying rather high. he appeared from
the northeast at 4:57, roared down the
Anacostia River past the station In a
long dive and then circled back in long
easy curve before dropping in for his
landing There was little breeze blow
ing as he dropped in above the Wash;
ington Navy Yard, scene Of his
tumultuouS reception to American soil
following the Paris flight of years ago,
and he was forced to "flshtail' the big
plane to kill its speed before setting it
down gra cefully on the smooth river
surface.
Taxing slowly back to the station.
Lindbergh brought the plane close
enough to the shelving concrete beach
IN front Of the station seaplane hangar
for three sailors in deep "Waders" to
pull it in until the pontoons grounded
gently. A narrow portable dock" was
run cut to the plane and. as Lind
bergh and Mrs. Lindbergh climbed out
onto the broad wing. CQmdr. Child
walked out on the dock to welcome
them.
Few Spectators on Hand.
There were a few spectators on hand,
aside from a group of photographers
and ewspaper men. and there was no
demo- 'etration. The famous couple
SCENE to be in happy mood and the
colonei frequently smiled as he talked
to Ckld. the sailors and Mrs. Lind
bergh. Even Mrs. Lindbergh, who
usually seems serious in the presence OF
strangers. flashed cheerful smile as