Evening star., 1935-01-12
PACIFIC STORM REPORTED.
Miss Earhart Leaves Hawaii Despite
Bad Weather.

Miss Earhart Leaves Hawaii Despite
Bad Weather.
HONOLULU, January IL (P).-
Amelia Earhart Putnam flashed her
red-and-gold monoplane through
cloud-seared skies over the Pacific
today in the direction Of the California
Coast.
Despite threatened foul weather and
muddy take-off at Wheeler Field, she
left the Army airport 25 miles from
here, at 4;45 pm. Q0:l5 pm, E. S. TD
yesterday, one year to the day from
the arrival here from the mainland Of
six Navy seaplanes flying in formation
in routine delivery" Of the planes
to their Pearl Harbor base.
1t was agreed that if Miss Earhart
did not return to the field in half an
hour it would mean she was on her
way to Oakland.
Storm Is Reported.
Unfavorable weather reports from
the coast, however. presaged change
in course toward Los Angeles, which is
more distant-2.566 instead of 2,408
statute miles. Weather maps showed
a storm rolling down the coast from
Vancouver Island, but forecaSters said
it probably would not reach San Fran
cisco Bay until afternoon.
The plane the worlds most famous
aviatrix is flying can speed 200 miles
an hour or faster. Even at the lower
speed it was calculated she would beat
the storm to Oakland. That speed
would place her at Oakland Airport
at 11:18 am, Pacific Standard Time
(2:l8 pm, Eastern Standard Time).
Weather reports failed to include
accurate data on wind conditions above
1000 feet. Since the Earhart plane is
most efficient at high attitudes, thanks
to its Supercharger, and in view of the
westerly winds which generally pre-
vail above the l0,000-foot mark. each
report from the plane was awaited
with particular interest.
This is the first fight over the
Pacific for the aviatriX, who was the
first woman to fly solo over the At
lantic, and in blazing a new trail for
herself she seeks to become:
The first woman to fly between
Hawaii and California.
The first solo flyer between Hawaii
and California.
Holder Of the Women'S record for
continuous flight over water.
Already Holds Records.
The aviatrix already has established
various altitude and speed marks, in
cluding the transcontinental women's
speed record.
Aviation observers here seemed to
feel that If experience and careful
preparation could insure a safe flight
from the coast, Miss Earhart was as
good as already there. Early reports
from the plane seemed to support this
feeling. Flying at attitudes ranging to
5000 feet. she estimated at the end of
hours 35 minutes she had covered a
thousand miles-eQual to 1872 miles an
hour.
The greatest worry they felt-the
they" including Miss Earhart's huS-
band, George Palmer Putnam. New
York publisher-waS over the take-of
on muddy Wheeler Field, made sodden
by a tropical downpour of the sort
not uncommon in Hawaii at this sea-
son.
The plane already had been filled
with 522 gallons of gasoline, and per-
mission had been obtained from the
Wheeler Field commandant. Maj.
Ernest Clark, for a take-off with that
load. Putnam was on the field, but
was something more than reticent re-
garding his wifes plans. He intimated
Paul Mantz. Miss Earhart's technical
adviser, who had charge of the planes
outfitting, might make the test" fight.
Mantz hovered in the background.
Miss Earhart was reported resting"
Even Army officials who have been
cooperating in tests of the plane and
IT'S equipment said they were not in
formed of Miss Earhart'S actual in
tentionS.
Rain Passes Quickly.
Then came the torrential rain, and
1t looked like the trim monoplane
would rest until at least tomorrow in
a Wheeler hangar. The water COL
lected in puddles faster than tlH
ground could soak it up or the field
drainage carry it away. The rain
storm passed quickly, as Hawaiian
rainstorms do, but vast acreage Of
mud remained.
More of those who had come to the
field expecting to see the take-of on
a "test" flight which might prove to
be a trans-Paciflc hop drifted away.
Even Putnam left. Then about 4:20
pm. the situation suddenly changed.
Mechanics came to life, wheeled out
the plane, blocked the wheels, turned
over the motor. In a few seconds it
was purring contentedly. It still was
warming up as Miss Earhart and Put
nam drove onto the field.
It was only minutes until newsmen
learned from the publisher that his
wife would take up the plane and con-
tinue toward Oakland if Commute
test showed all was well.
The 36-year-old aviatrix, clad In q
brown fur-lined flying suit, climbed
into the cockpit as the motor idled.
A fire truck and an ambulance, gloomy
but reassuring field appurtenanceS,
moved to the far end of the field.
Last Farewells Said.
Miss Earhart opened the throttle,
and the motor roared. She frowned
at the instrument panel, listened in
tently. The sleek machine trembled
as If in impatience to be on its way.
Ground crew men, ready to Jerk away