Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1937-08-18
BY HAROLD f. GRAY,

captain, ran american clipper Ill.
ON BOARD PAN-AMERICAN
CLIPPER III, EN- ROUTE TO THE
AZORES, August Is lN.AN.A) by
1ireless) For the first time in five
successive exploratory flights across
the Atlantic Ocean to chart wind and
weather conditions for the great clip
per ships that will later speed passen-
gers and cargo between America and
Europe on 24-hour schedules, our
clipper is flying a course set by her
century-old predecessors Of sail.
Well out of Bermuda, the PAN
American Clipper drove through the
night on the first flight projected over
the southern arc of this ocean. Upon
our successful landing at Southampton,
England, we will have completed the
first circle course over the North
Atlantic
In laying out the route for this
eastward flight, We chose, in preference
to the so-called direct steamer route,
the broken-line tack of the old Yankee
clippers, which, rounding the Ber-
mudas, beat a tack due east to the
40th parallel and then coasted down
hin" toward Fayal on their way
to the African coast or the East
Indies. At the 40th parallel we
were TO turn north and east and fly
up to the Azores Longer by 200 miles
than the direct course, this broken
line of flight gives us full advantage
of the prevailing westerlies, which,
further south, become confused in the
horse ATTITUDES" that lie just above
the Doldrums, and break into series
OF unforecastable wind shifts.
Same Winds Utilized.
The clippers of hundred years ago
and their modern name-bearers have
the winds as a common element. The
most practical flying courses across the
Pacific Ocean, for instance, were found
to parallel closely not the modern
steamer lanes, but the old-time sailing
tracks of so and so years ago, along
which the Pacific clippers now ply
across that 5000 miles of ocean to the
China coast. 1t is reasonably certain
that the flying routes across the At
lantlc will also parallel the old wind
TANNERS routes, shifting with the
weather map and the winds that go
with it.
On last nights weather chart this
southerly tack offered other advan-
tages-lower clouds, for most of the
distance, and fewer clouds at the
higher levels, which, on the direct
course, would hinder our obtaining the
sights on stars and planets by which
Our course is set. Neither course
showed much in the way of helping
winds, at any attitudes, but the clipper
course offered steadiness in what
three, four and five knot breezes the
weather map promised. We could
save an hours flying time by follow
Ing a direct line, but more hours
aloft, put TO useful purpose, on survey
flights are actual advantages.
Gas Ample for Exploring.
Monday night. after our easy run
over the groove" already worn on this
Atlantic stretch by the U. S. A. Ber-
muda Clipper and the R. M. A. Cav
aller OF Imperial Always on their
regular passenger schedules, the Pan
American Clipper was fueled for Is
hours-to provide us ample margin
for exploring anything on or off the
course that appeared to be of in
terest or Importance. What those
items might be We have no means of
knowing beforehand. But first land
falls taken on islands after an ocean
run of 1000 miles are always worth
exploring from all angles. If the
character of the Azores is not distinct,
tor instance, a few hours flying
toward the Islands from various direc-
lions, on first approach, are worth
hundred such approaches after
landmarks are definitely assigned.
we expected to see little of the ocean
last night, as there were clouds below
us. But, up here, 2 miles above the sea.
there was good visibility in all direc-
tons except down. The moon was al
ready up and shining when the SIN
cropped beneath the Western cloud
horlzon, scarcely four hours after our
departure from Hamilton Harbor Rer-
muda, at 2:2l E. S. T. yesterday after
stars, was almost too brilliant for easv
celestial sights. The air was so smooth
In the early hours of the fight that
there was no sensation of movement.
First Officer De Lima shared the
bridge with me, with Engineering Of
flcer Wright at his post directly be-
hind. Navigation Officer Masland
charted our progress. The only sounds
were the ships bell, when Masland
was called to the bridge, and the click
ing of Radio Officer Roberts telegraph
key as he taps out our periodic position
reports back to Port Washington, Long
Island, away from which we are NOV
Ing steadily eastward at our minimum
cruising speed of 1878 miles per hour.
Ships Clerk Thaler had his tables
Get in the lounge-fresh linen, china
and silver service-when we split
watch for dinner, full seven-course
dinner with steak and mushrooms.
copyright, 1887, by the North American