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Aviation History
1919
1919 - 1617.PDF
DECEMBER 18, 1919 THE ENGLAND TO AUSTRALIA FLIGHT IN our last issue we were able to briefly record the fact that Captain Ross-Smith and his three companions, on their Vickers-Vimy-Rolls, had arrived safely at Port Darwin, in Australia, and so had won the ^10,000 prize offered by the Commonwealth Government. As soon as the news reached this c6untry the following messages were at once transmitted to Captain Ross-Smith :— From H.M. the King.—" Delighted at your safe arrival. Your success will bring Australia nearer to the Mother Country, and I warmly congratulate you and your crew." (Signed) GEORGE, R.I. From the Prime Minister.—" Heartiest congratulations. Your flight shows how inventions of war can advance progress of peace." (Signed) D. LLOYD GEORGE. From the Secretary of State for War.—" Well done. Your great flight shows conclusively that the new element has been conquered for the use of man." (Signed) W. S. CHURCHILL. From the Air Council.—" Air Council congratulate you and crew on great skill and endurance shown in your achievement." (Signed) W. A. ROBERTSON, Secretary, Air Council. From the Comptroller-General, Civil Aviation—" Most sincere congratulations on successful termination of great flight. Your progress has been watched by all here with keenest interest." (Signed) F. H. SYKES. The following telegram was also sent by the High Com missioner of Australia to Mr. Hughes, the Prime Minister :— " Have been requested by Royal Aero Club to transmit the following to you : ' Subject to verification of machine, Captain Ross-Smith has fulfilled the conditions laid down by Australian Government for ,£10,000 prize for flight from Great Britain to Australia. The Royal Aero Club, under whose competition rules and auspices the flight was made, will award prize to Captain Ross-Smith. Royal Aero Club tenders its heartiest congratulations to the Prime Minister and all Australians on the successful accomplishment of this epoch- making flight.' (Signed) FISHER." Below we publish by the courtesy of the Sydney Sun and the Melbourne Herald, Captain Ross-Smith's diary, of the historic flight, up to the time of his arrival at Singapore :— November 12.—The Vickers-Vimy leaves Hounslow, after receiving farewell messages from Prince Albert, Major-General Seely, and Sir F. Sykes, Captain Ross-Smith carries copies of The Times for the Governor-General and the editors of the Sydney Sun and the Melbourne Herald. Weather misty as far as Lympne, but Channel clear. Encountered heavy cloud of snow at Etaples, and climbed to 8,000 ft. Flew by compass course. Next saw ground three hours later over Roanne, after meeting further snow Intense cold, 75 deg. frost ; instruments frozen, machine covered with ice ; food too frozen to eat. From Roanne ground visible times. Very relieved to see Lyons. Favour able wind throughout, but much time wasted avoiding storms. Vimy behaved splendidly. Arrived Lyons 3.40. November 13.—Left Lyons 10.6, fine weather. Sunshine all day ; few heavy clouds, otherwise perfect flying day. Flew along Riviera, crossed Gulf of Genoa ; Remo, Spezia. Landed Pisa 2.40,too late to get to Rome. Going Taranto to-morrow. Alps looked very fine in sunlight. Vimy O.K. : crew well. November 14.—Yesterday at Pisa heavy rain, aerodrome under water. Attempted to start, got bogged, and spent day on machine. November 15,7—Had engines running 8 o'clock to-day ; bogged badly in taxi-ing. Used planks and Italian mechanics dug out machine ; bogged again, but finally got out. Start sensational. Sergeant Bennett (mechanic) held tail down until machine working, then made running jump at rear cockpit, hauled aboard by Shiers as machine was leaving ground. Aerodrome two inches under water, but Vimy rose beautifully. Crew very wet but cheerful. Encountered strong head wind, ground speed only 50 miles per hour Passed through some heavy clouds, otherwise hazy and bumpy. Landed Rome 3 o'clock. November 16.—Left Rome 9 a.m. Landed Taranto 11.45. Again low clouds, visibility bad. Passed over Capua and Naples, then turned east over mountains ; flew low over Vesuvius, but weather too bad to photograph. Very bumpy over mountains, machine falling several hundred feet at times. Good wind helping us. Greatest assistance afforded us at Taranto by aerial route. Spent afternoon on machine. November 17.—Left Taranto 8 to-day, arrived Suda Bay 3.45. Strong wind on our beam, low clouds, rain all the way to South Greece. Attempted to get above clouds, but too high, so flew at 800 ft. Following coast, nearly hit small island in mist. South Greece to Crete good weather, slight head wind. November 18.—Left Suda Bay 8 to-day, arrived Cairo 3.30. Weather again bad. Low clouds made crossing Cretan mountains difficult. Wind slightly favourable, steered south course after leaving, but had to fly through rain at 2,000 ft. most of the way across the Mediterranean. Passed two steamers half-way ; checked ground speed and drift on them. Crossing took 2J hours. Struck African Capt.Ross Smith's Route — Dates of arrival PHB and departure _ I " '3 1 CMTROSSSMITH' arrived at PORT DARWIN Dec . IP. I LONDON-AUSTRALIA FLIGHT : Map of route, reproduced by courtesy of The Times I619
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