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Aviation History
1929
1929 - 0152.PDF
JANUARY 24, 1929 Cape Liptrop. The wind, which was N.W. 5 knots at the start, soon increasedto 10 to 15 knots, and gradually backed to S.W., whence it remained till the end of the flight. The visibility was good except in the rain, and theair was occasionally moderately bumpy. After circling Paynesville the Flight landed in formation in the western entrance to the channel betweenRaymond Island and the mainland at 12.40, taxied up the channel whose banks were crowded with people from the surrounding district, and securedto moorings in Lake King. The Flight spent the next day at Paynesville. S. 1150 experienced troublewith the Primus stove, due to stripped threads in the union below the burner. This is the first time since leaving England that the cooking stovein any of the flying-boats has given trouble. (The defect was made good at Sydney.) Wednesday, August 1. Paynesville—Sydney. 350 miles. (4 hrs.45 mins. : 75 knots).—At 07.00 moorings were slipped, the weather conditions being fine, sky 0-2 clouded, visibility good, lake calm, wind W.N.W. 3 knots.The Flight took off in formation at 07.15 in 28 r.ecs. After circling Bairnsdale, course was set for Lakes Entrance and thence along the coast to Sydney.At the request of the Air Board the Flight circled in formation at F.den and the Naval Repot at Jarvis Bay. The sky became overcast near CapeEverard (08.25) and low rain squalls were seen ; a light drizzle was passed through near Montague Island (10.00) ; at 10.45 the sky started to clearand the weather was fine, with a clear sky, from 11.00 to the end of the flight. A following wind of 5 to 12 knots was experienced throughout theflight. The sea was slight throughout the flight with a moderate swell occasionally. There are many stretches of sheltered water along the routewhere flying-boats could shelter in emergency. Before the Flight left Melbourne the authorities at Sydney had askedwhen the Flight would arrive, and had been told that it would land at 13.00. In order to avoid arriving before this time, due to the following wind, theFlight landed at Botany Bay at 11.45 and anchored there, took off again at 12.45, circled Sydney, landed in the harbour there exactly as the 1 o'clockgun fired, and secured to the moorings in Farm Cove, where a considerable crowd had assembled to see the Flight arrive. A formation of D.H. 9.A's, D.H. 9's, and Moths of the R.A.A.F. came outto escort the Flight, one of the D.H. 9.Vs. experienced engine failure, and had to land in the harbour, fortunately the occupants were uninjured. TheFlight refuelled to 400 gallons per boat. From Thursday, August 2 to Friday, August 20. The Flight re-mained at Sydney.—Sydney Harbour is very good for shipping, but the amount of traffic using it and the high land surrounding it, and the highbridge being built across the harbour makes it less convenient than many of the other harbours on this coast for the operation of a night of large flying-boats in formation. The mooring site in Farm Cove is very well sheltered ; the moorings andthe arrangements for keeping craft clear of the flying-l>oats were provided by the Captain Superintendent, H.M.A. Naval Establishment, Sydney ; bothwere excellent, and no trouble was experienced. Red flags were flown from the ship mooring buoys in the centre of Farm Cove and a harbour policepatrol kept all craft without passes away from the area between these buoys and the shore on the Government House side of the Cove, consequently theflying-boats were free from all risk of collision during their stay. A search- light was available for use on the mooring site in case of emergency. Although many members of the general public came down to see the flying-boats in Farm Cove, the interest in the cruise was less in Sydney than at any other of the large towns visited, and one section of the Press appearedsurprised that the Flight had no sensational information to give. Saturday, August 11. Sydney—Brisbane. 430 miles. (6 hrs.10 mins. ; 72 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.30 hrs., the weather conditions being fine, with a slight haze, sky 0'3 clouded, slight swell inthe harbour, and no wind. The Flight took off in formation up the harbour at 06.45 in an average of 40 sees., each boat carrying 500 galls, offuel. After circling Sydney in formation, the Flight flew' up the coast to Brisbane, circling Southport. The weather during the flight was fine,patches of low cloud and mist were flown over between Newcastle and Cape Hawke. The winds were under 10 knots, and mostly between W. and S. ;the sea was slight to smooth, with a slight ground swell; the air was practi- cally smooth, except over Brisbane, where it was rather bumpy. There weremany places along the route suitable for the operation of flying-boats. After circling Brisbane, the Flight landed in succession in-the river below VictoriaBridge and secured to the moorings there at 13.00. The Flight stopped at Brisbane from Sunday, August 12, to FridayAugust 17. Saturday, August 18. Brisbane—Gladstone. 260 miles. (4 hrs.30 mins. ; 58 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.00, the weather being fine with a clear sky, calm water, and practically no wind. The Flighttaxied up river, under Victoria Bridge, and took off in succession in the Milton Reach of the river at 06.15 in an average of 28 sees., each carrying300 galls, of fuel. After taking up formation and circling Brisbane, the Flight flew up the coast to Gladstone, circling Maryborough at 08.30. Therewere many places along the route where flying-boats could obtain good shelter. The weather during the flight was fine, but the visibility was poor, duelargely to the haze and smoke of the burning-off operations in the country, which are general at this season. The Flight landed in formation at Glad-stone at 10.45, and secured to moorings laid N.W. of the entrance to Auckland Creek, close to the edge of the channel. Sunday, August 19. Gladstone—Bo wen. 2K0 miles. (4 hrs. 10mins. ; 67 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.00, the weather being fine, with a slight haze, sky O'l clouded, sea calm, wind S.W., 2 knots. TheFlight took off in formation at 06.15 in 30 sees., each boat carrying 350 galls, of fuel, and after circling Gladstone, flew up the coast, passing betweenCurtis Island and the mainland, cutting off Port Clinton, and thence up the coast to Bowen. A " Seagull " amphibian of the R.A.A.F., going south forphotographic work on the Barrier Reef, passed close to the Flight by George Point. The route was very picturesque, mostly hilly, and covered withbush ; there were many islands, bays and rivers, and plenty of shelter for flying-boats. The weather was fine throughout, slightly hazy, with a clearsky, smooth sea, and light south-easterly winds. After circling Bowen, the Flight landed there in formation at 10.25, andsecured to moorings laid on the edge of the deep water to the eastward of the jetty. The following day was spent at Bowen. No. 101 Flight R.A.A.F., with two "Seagull" Amphibians, is stationedat Bowen, and carries out photographic work in connection with the survey of the Barrier Reef by H.M.A.S. Moresby. The " Seagulls " have beenmodified to allow of photographs being taken through a hole in the hull aft of the main step. There is no slipway, and the " Seagulls " taxy up thelong stretch of sandy beach on their own wheels. The stay of the Flight at Bowen was one of the most enjoyable of thecruise. Friday, August 24. Bowen—Cook town. 340 miles. (4 hrs. 35mins. ; 74 knots).—Moorings were slipped at 06.10, the weather being, sky 0-2 clouded, sea slight, wind S.F.. 10 knots. The Flight took off in forma-tion at 06.20 in 22 sees., each boat carrying 400 galls, of fuel, and after circling Bowen left for Cooktown. The course followed was up the coast to Towns- ville, which was circled at 07.30, thence through the Hinchinbrook Chanm';and up the coast to Cairns, which was circled at 09.30, and thence to Cooktown, passing over Low Wooded Island, which is the headquarters of the expeditionexamining the formation of the Barrier Reef. The route is very picturesque, with mountains inland, thickly wooded hills running down to the sea, andthere are many openings with good shelter for flying-boats. The weather during the flight was generally good, with southerly windsup to 10 knots and a smooth to slight sea. The Flight landed in succession at Cooktown at 10.55, the tide being low and the area of deep water availabletoo small for a landing in formation. There were five moorings, and one farthest in was very difficult to reach at low tide, as it was shut in by sand-banks in shallow water. S. 1152 grounded lightly in attempting to taxi up to it ; no damage was done, and S. 1152 then taxied to the seaward mooringand secured to it. For the next three days the Flight remained at Cooktown. Cooktown was a flourishing seaport for the gold-fields in the district, butabout 40 years ago, when the richest areas of alluvial gold had been worked out and the cost of labour had increased, the gold-fields were abandoned andthe town declined. The population, which was once about 20,000 Europeans and 10,000 Chinese, is now about 300, and although much of the old townhas disappeared with the passage of time and occasional cyclones, the fine streets and a few good buildings remain. There are many deserted houses,shops and hotels ; the jetties are in bad repair, and there are many sand- banks in the harbour. Tuesday, August 28. Cooktown—Thursday Island. 360 miles.(4 hrs. 15 mins.; 90 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.15, the weather being fine, sky 0.5 covered with low cloud, slight swell in harbour, moderateswell outside/wind S.S.E. 10 knots, gusty and variable. The Flight taxied out of the harbour to warm the engines up, but as the sea there was judgedto be rather too large for an entirely safe " take off," the Flight taxied back into the harbour and took off in succession between 06.45 and 06.55 in thechannel by Pt. St. Patrick, in an average of 28 seconds, each beat carrying 400 galls, of fuel; the air conditions imthe harbour immediately after take-off were bumpy. The course followed was to Cape Bedford, Cape Melville, and thence abouttwo miles inside the Barrier Reef to Cape Direction ; Cape Grenville was crossed at 09.40 and Capt York at 10.40, and the Flight landed in formationat the mooring site near Thursday Island at 11.00. The weather during the flight was generally fine ; there was a little rain off Cape Weymouth ; itwas slightly hazy with a visibility of about five miles, and the sky was occasionally overcast, particularly towards the end of the flight. The windswere variable between E. and S.E. up to 25 knots at 1,000 ft. and up to 15 knots at sea level ; the air generally was smooth, but it was very bumpyover Thursday Island. The wearing of topees was resumed. Wednesday, August 29. Thursday Island—Melville Bay. 350miles. (4 hrs. 20 mins. ; 86 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.15 in occasional light rain showers with a 0'9 clouded sky, a slight choppy sea,and a gusty S.E. wind of 15 to 20 knots. The Flight took off in formation at 06.30 in 33 seconds, each boat carrying 500 galls, of fuel. The air was verybumpy, and owing to this and the rain, the Flight left at once without circling Thursday Island in formation. The course followed was close to BoobyIsland, across the Gulf of Carpentaria to Cape Arnhem, and thence direct to Melville Bay. The Flight was clear of the rain and heavy clouds in about20 minutes, and the remainder of the flight was in fine weather with occasional clouds at about 2,000 ft. The sun on the track made drifts difficult to takeand prevented the aluminium dust packets dropped on the sea being seen. The coast-line (Cape Arnhem) was sighted about 15 miles away at 10.20,and the Flight landed in formation at Melville Bay at 10.50. Wireless touch with Thursday Island was maintained throughout the flight, and severalships sent weather reports by W/T. No shipping was sighted. The mooring site was in the western part of Melville Bay, which is wellsheltered. The lugger McBride, which had brought the fuel from Port Darwin and laid the moorings, was anchored near the mooring site, and the fuel,in 8-gall. drums, was transferred to the flying-boats from the lugger, partly in her small dinghy and partly in the rubber dinghies carried by the flying-boats. The Flight refuelled to 400 galls, per boat without difficulty. Melville Bay and the surrounding district is uninhabited except for a fewaborigines. If supplies are sent there, it is quite suitable as a temporary base for flying-boats. There are no facilities beyond the moorings whichwere laid f'or the Flight, but the site is well sheltered and there are sandy beaches. There are swarms of flies on shore, and many of them came off tothe flying-boats, where the " Flit " gun prevented them twing a. serious nuisance. Thursday, August 30. Melville Bay—Port Darwin. 370 miles.(4 hrs. 20 mins. ; 85 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.10, the weather being fine, sky O'l clouded, calm water in the bay, wind E.S.E. 1 knot. TheFlight took off in formation at 06.25 in 35seconds, t-ach boat carrying 400 galls, of fuel. After circling Melville Bay, where the Mdiridc was weighing anchorfor the return to Port Darwin, the Flight left. The route followed was to six miles S.W. of Cape Wilberforce, thence overNapier Peninsula and Elcho Island to four miles S. of De Courcy Head, across the neck of Cobourg Peninsula, across Van Dieman Gulf, Adam Bayand Shoal Bay to Port Darwin, where the Flight landed in formation at 10.40 and secured to moorings about half a mile S.E. of the steamer jetty. The weather during the flight was fine with a few detached clouds about1,000 ft. and a slight haze. The wind was mostly E.S.E., 10 to 15 knots, and the air was smooth except over the land, where it was sometimes moderatelybumpy. The open sea was moderate to slight. The country generally appeared uninhabited except for a few wandering aborigines and a MissionStation on Crocodile Island. There are many places amongst the islands and rivers where flying-boats rould obtain shelter in emergency. The Flight was refuelled from 4-galls. tins to 500 galls, per boat as quicklyas the fuel could be got to the flying-boats. Contrary to custom, and to get the refuelling done in reasonable time, the motor boats were allowed to comealongside the flying-boats ; this had to be stopped as one motor boat, carrying some 120 galls, of oil, ran down wind and tide straight into the bows of S. 1152.punching a hole in her plating above the water line. Air Marshal Sir John Salmond had left Port Darwin by air for the southearly in the morning. On Friday, August 31, the Flight stayed at Port Darwin.Thp hole in the bows of S. 1152 was repaired by her crew. A telegram was received from Air Board, Melbourne, congratulating the Flight on the success-ful completion of the cruise round Australia and wishing them good luck for the remainder of the cruise. A reply was sent thanking the Air Board fortheir good wishes, for the excellent arrangements made for the Flight through- out the cruise in Australia, and for the generous help they had given the Flight,ensuring its success and making the visit most enjoyable. Saturday, September I. Port Darwin—Koepang. 470 miles.(6 hrs. 15 mins. ; 75 knots.)—Moorings were slipped at 06.30, the weather being fine but hazy, sky 0-1 clouded to the north, sea calm, wind S., 1 knot.The Flight took off in formation at 06.45 in 50 sees., each boat carrying 500 galls, of fuel. The cour«e followed was direct to the south coast of Timor andup Semau Strait to the mooring site at Tenau, about 3 miles south along the coast from Koepang. The weather was fine and the visibility good throughout the flight, there wereoccasional detached clouds about 1,500 ft. ; the wind was S.E. to E.S.F.. 64
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