The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1932-08-19
AVIATOR IS
FIRST TO SUCCEED
IN WESTWARD HOP
Aloft More Than 80 Hours ri.
Ioting Tiny Plane Through
Mist and Fog
WEAKNESS. HALTS EFFORT
Had Enough Fuel to Continue TO
New York But Decided
to Take Rest

Pennfield Ridge. N. B., Aug. IT,
R)-Capt. ]. A. Mollison, the first
man to make solo flight westward
across the North Atlantic, landed
just outside this little village at 1l:45
a. m. E. S. r.. Friday, too tired to
go any farther.
For more than 80 hours he had
pushed his plane. 1.-THE Hearts Con-
TENT stripped down so that it was
little more than flying gasoline
tank. across nearly 5000 miles Of
ocean through weather that was
none too good.
He had plenty Of fuel and but for
his own WEAKNESS might have gone
ON to New York, he said. When he
got this far. however, and saw
through break in the clouds q broad
meadow below him, he dropped down
to a perfect landing.
Pennfield Ridge is a village of not
more than 300 population. Even tele-
phones are scarce, but Capt. Molli-
son was on long distance wire re-
porting his landing a few minutes
after he was down.
Farmers and fishermen crowded
out from the village to the field about
half a mile from the tiny railroad
station.
They had seen him coming and had
heard the roar of the motor. The
planes wheels had hardly stopped
rolling before the first arrivals were
crowding about him.
Sleeps in Farmhouse
What he wanted most of all was
rest, so one of the farmers took him
TO his home nearby. The captain ask
cd that his wife. the former ANY
Johnson, be notified of his safety,
word was telephoned immediately to
st. John, 40 miles up the coast TO
the Bay OF Fundy for relay to Mrs.
Mollison at London.
Capt. Mollison said he expected to
go to ST. John after a brief rest here
and would continue on to New York
Saturday.
He lost lot Of time between Hall
1ax' where he was sighted at sos a.
M, ana here, because of the fog.
The mist was heavy over the Bay
OF Fundy and I just CROPPED along"
ne said. Il wanted to get to New
YORK and I could have made it with
the gas had but weaving through
tnose low clouds and that heavy mist
must have tired me out. I lust
Couldn't 60 on. The weather was
especially bad for the last Is hours"
He had intended to stop at Har-
Dor Grace for fuel but got better
mileage than he expected and passed
on without stopping.
AL 5:O5 a. m. Friday he appeared
over the airport at Halifax, 100 miles
east OF st. John, headed west. Then
Tor a time he was lost to sight IN
the fog which blanketed the Rav-cf-
Fundy region.
Capt. Mollison's ship is a silver grey
puss moth, a tiny sports plane similar
70 tnat frequently used by the Prince
OF wales for short trips. Mollison
turned 1t into q flying gasoline tank.
IL high wing nonoplane with
lne name THE Hearts Content"
painted on the fuselage Just below tho.
cabin. ''''
Before he started Mollison estimat-
"a 1t would take him % hours to
'each Harbor Grace. He intended to
stop there only long enough to refuel
ana then proceed to New York. From
here ne intends to hop off as quickly
IS ne can for flight back to Ireland.
Mollison Is the fourth aviator to
achieve nonstop westward crossing
81 the North Atlantic ocean and the
'rst ever to make the flight alone.
Only two other North Atlantic solo
,ngnts nave been made, both east
ward.
Inc westward flight is considered to
oe. IN effect, 800 miles longer than
me eastward hop .beSause Of prevail
ng winds.