Flying the Atlantic in Sixteen Hours

ath of

lity-the product of violent change from utter isolation during the lo

rtaken time, in less than the period between one sunset and another, to the extent of three and a half hours. Our physical systems having accustomed the

d & Underw

TRANSATLANTIC M

AMERICA WAS EATEN NEAR

d trans-ocean air services of the future-those who complete a westward journey becoming early risers without effort, those who land after an eastward fligh

atulatory ovations. For these we were totally unprepared; and with our relaxed minds, we could not ea

entation of a memento in the form of a Claddagh ring, which had historical connection

e offered, and we met the vanguard of the autograph hunters. We must have signed our names hundreds of times during the journey to Dublin-on books, cards, old envelopes and scraps of paper of eve

n we did ourselves. Until now, perhaps, we had been too self-centered to realize that other people might be particularly intereste

they regarded as a manifestation of the spirit of adventure, the True Romance-call it what you will. For the moment this elusive

Trinity Sunday, Alcock and I passed with difficulty through the welcoming crowds, and drove towards the Automobile Club in separate cars. In due course, I reached sanctuary; but whe

Mr. C. Johnson, of the Rolls-Royce Company that supplied our motors. Scenes all along the line to London were a magnified repetition of those from Galway to Dublin. Chester, Crewe, Rugby and other tow

etings, and an exciting, pleasant drive to the Royal A?ro Club. Alcock delivered to the postal authorities the mail-bag from St. John's, with regrets th

raft. We were glad indeed to be able to tell them and the designer of the machine that their handiwork had stood a difficult test magnificently, as had the Rolls-Royce engines. One of my most sincere reasons

nd his crew, so that we might compare our respective experiences of a?rial navigation and of weather conditions over the Atlantic. The United States aviators who flew to Europe, and those that were so unlucky in coming to grief at th

effort may have been useful as a pioneer demonstration, single or twin engine aircraft are altogether unsuitable for trans-ocean voyages. We were successful-yes. But a tempora

ed to two, or in some cases three, and no freight can be taken. Yet another is that should the navigator of an a?roplane make an important error in calculation while f

the large flying boats now being built by various aircraft companies; and even they are limited as to size by certain definite formul

could carry on if one, or even two of them were out of action. In fact, on its return flight, one motor broke down beyond the possibility of immediate repair; although there were ample facilities and an ample crew for effecting immediate repairs in the air

rd time. Had the weather conditions been at all suitable she could easily have brought the mail direct from New York to London by air

rrying of freight or passengers on a commercial basis. Already the construction of airships two and a half and five times the size of the R-34, with approximate disposable lifts of one hundred and two hundred tons