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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1245.PDF
SEPTEMBER 18, 1919 Fairey is sitting on the beach, the Supermarine, the Savoia. the Spad, and the Avro being moored to buoys. One notices that the Spad appears to have a slight list to starboard, as if her float on that side is leaking. In another half-hour the race is due to start, and some doubt, not altogether unmixed with a little anxiety, is beginning to be felt as to whether or not the Sopwith and Nieuport will arrive in time. Just then another machine is seen to be coming along at a tremendous speed. It is probably the Sopwith, although one cannot yet be quite sure, as the Nieu port is also said to be very fast. The machine crosses the Pier. Yes, it is Hawker without a doubt. The pace is pro digious, and even to the uninitiated the Sopwith is obviously very much' faster than any of the other competitors seen so far. The difference is such as to be unmistakable. Those who had heard with a certain amount of scepticism rumours of a speed in the neighbourhood of 165 m.p.h., are beginning to think that it may be true after all. Hawker makes a perfect "landing," in spite of the great speed at which the landing is made. The perfectly calm sea favours him. Taxying along, apparently steering very well on the surface, the Sopwith is beached to the west of the Pier, where it is soon surrounded by an admiring crowd. There is still the Nieuport to come. Knowing the amount of work to be done on it when last seen on the night previous, one begins to wonder if, in spite of the. heroic efforts made at Cowes, it will be ready in time. It is now 2.30, and, according to schedule, the race should start. The Fairey seaplane has got going, and is cruising about near the starting line, ready on the tick of the clock. The other machines are still at their anchorages, and much to the disappointment of the visitors, a motor boat goes out to the Fairey, one of the crew shouts some instruction, and the Fairey returns to the shore. Apparently, the race will not start yet. At 2.50, the Nieuport arrives at great speed, and is brought to rest east of the Pier. There is still no indication of a start being made, and the thousands of onlookers who literally line the coast from Poole Head to Hengistbury Head are watching the weather with misgivings. The fog is getting denser. Not only are Hengistbury Head and " Old Harry " enveloped in the fog, but the two warships at anchor are entirely blotted out from view. It is evident that with weather conditions as they are at present it is quite impossible to run the race. The Supermarine is cruising about near the starting line, but has to return to her moorings. For a time it looks as if the race will certainly have to be postponed to another day, as it is getting rather late, and local experts give little hope of improvement in the weather. In the meantime the Spad and Nieuport seem to be in trouble with their floats, and are beached to the East of the Pier. Nobody appears to worry much what becomes of them. From the yacht word comes that the race is postponed till six o'clock, and the general opinion is that it is " off." How ever, the French crews are tinkering with their floats, hoping to put matters right in time for the postponed start. "Flight" Copyright. SCHNEIDER CUP : The Supermarine Team. From left to right, Squad.-Com. Hobbs, who piloted the Supermarine flying - boat, Mr. Scott - Paine and Com. Bird. Suddenly, there are indications of a slight breeze, and in a verv short time the warships are visible once more. Is it possible that it will clear after all ? For a time it looks probable. Then the fog settles again. On the Pier people are beginning to give up hope. In the Royal Aero Club enclosure at the head of the Pier, members are discussing the outlook. The general impression is that things look pretty hopeless. Messrs. Reynolds and Ebblewhite, the official timekeepers, have another " smoke " while waiting for a decision. People are beginning to wonder whether it will be possible to hold the race tomorrow instead, but many maintain that the arrangements cannot be made in time, and that, if the race is postponed, it must be for at least another week. Others think it might be done, and the talk turns to the prospects of obtaining rooms in already overcrowded Bournemouth. With all these speculations, time passes, and it is getting on for 5 o'clock. Many have now given up hope, and are getting ready to leave the Pier. Then, quite suddenly, the fog can be seen to drift, and in a short time one finds that Hengistbury Head is visible, and there is blue sky overhead. Swanage Bay is still shrouded in mist, but the fog is undoubt edly rolling inland. So far as can be gathered, the " autho rities " on .board the Ombra are trying to reach a decision SCHNEIDER CUP : Before the start. "Flight" Copyright The Supermarine " Sea Lion " at her moorings. 1247
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