NC-4, Cheered by Crowds, Reaches Plymouth -- May 31, 2019

New  York Tribune, 01-June-1919

On the fourth leg of the US Navy's attempt at a transatlantic flight, NC-4 flew from Lisbon, Portugal to Plymouth, England.

Huge Throngs Line

Historic Harbor

as Seaplane Dips

Lightly to Landing

Mayor Greets Fliers for City

Pictures Taken on Rock From Which Mayflower Sailed

New  York Tribune, 01-June-1919

PLYMOUTH, England, May 31 (By The Associated Press).-- Out of the haze that shrouded the embattled approaches to this historic harbor the American naval seaplane NC-4 emerged just after noon today in completion of her epoch-making flight across the Atlantic Ocean. Slowly her remarkable outline became clear and distinct to the thousands who lined the terrace -- known as the Hoe -- where hundreds of years ago Drake calmly bowled while the Spanish Armada sailed through the English Channel. Then, circling majestically over the harbor formed by the huge breakwater, the seaplane pioneer glided down upon the surface of the seas, a fitting conclusion of the most ambitious undertaking in the history of the world.

Into this port, which has been the starting point since the early Middle Ages of all the romantic exploits upon the Atlantic, the triumphant seaplane sailed, completing her 4,000-mile flight from Rockaway, Long Island, to England.

The finish of the journey was witnessed by thousands from the same vantage point that the friends of the Pilgrim Fathers bade goodby to their loved ones on the start of their adventurous passage across the ocean westward to the new land of promise.

Trip Made in Seven Hours

Leaving Ferrol, Spain, where Lieutenant Commander Albert C. Read had elected to pass Friday night, at 0:27 this morning, the NC-4 covered the distance of 425 miles to Plymouth in less than seven hours.

Despite adverse wind and weather conditions the NC-4 covered the last leg without a hitch to mar the exploit. Safe and sound, but thoroughly fatigued by the physical ordeal of the trip as well as the mental strain, Commander Read and his crew are sleeping peacefully to-night.

The rousing welcome of Plymouth residents to the American airmen and the cordial reception given to them aboard the Rochester by Admiral Plunkett, the Mayor of Plymouth, British and American officials and the crews of the other NC 'planes, reached a climax with the first actual landing of the victorious crew at the spot from which the Pilgrim Fathers set forth for America.

"Our trip really was uneventful," Lieutenant Commander A. C. Read said to the correspondents. "We knew we would-have trouble with fog, and did, but otherwise everything went off as we had planned."

"Our machine worked perfectly ever since we left Newfoundland with the exception of our little radiator leak yesterday."

Return Flight Suggested

It has been learned here unofficially that there is a prospect that the American seaplane NC-4 may fly home over the direct Atlantic route from Ireland to Newfoundland. It is understood a conference will be held here shortly to discuss the project.

American naval officers say the NC-4 is in better condition than when she began her flight. Furthermore, the experience gained by all of the NC-4'a navigators and pilots would prove of inestimable benefit should the return flight be attempted.

There was wonderful interest in to-day's flight, although it was eclipsed by the previous flights of this seaplane, for in the opinion of American naval officers and the British public generally the NC-4 reached the peak of her great adventure when she spanned the Atlantic at Lisbon. This stage of the journey was regarded by airmen chiefly as a "side show" to attest !he firm friendship which the war has cemented between this country and the United States.

Britons Applaud Feat

The pride felt by Americans in the extraordinary feat of the NC-4 finds echo to-night in genuine admiration expressed by British naval men and airmen for the crew's skill and pluck and the well-worked-out plans of the American navy to facilitate and safeguard the flight.

Early in the morning, when word was flashed that the NC-4 had started on the final leg of her journey, a heavy rain was falling, but shortly after noon the skies cleared and ideal conditions prevailed.

The NC-4 flew in rain and fog through the Bay of Biscay, and fog also was encountered off Brest, compelling the 'plane to keep at a low altitude.

Although news of the progress of the craft was passed along by warships stationed on the way it was not until noon that word was received from Commander Read himself. His message merely reported his position.

Mayor Greets Aviators

In his first greeting to Commander Read and his men, the Mayor of Plymouth said:

"It is with profound gratitude that I here to-day on behalf of old Plymouth, from which the Mayflower sailed three hundred years ago, welcome you after your tremendous and wonderful flight over the waters separating us. I think I can speak with the voice of England in expressing great admiration for your achievement and in welcoming to these shores our American cousins."

The NC-4 appeared suddenly out of the haze at 2:19, summer time. After circling over the harbor she dropped gracefully toward the Cattewater, alighting near the buoy prepared for her at 2:26. The great crowd on the harbor front heartily and craft tied down their whistles in noisy welcome.

The seaplane when sighted was flying high and leading an escort of three flying boats. Her enormous size, dwarfing that of the escorting 'planes, left no doubt of her identity. While the thousands of spectators yelled themselves hoarse, the flying boats dropped Very lights, and a fleet of small boats rushed to greet the Americans.

The captain's gig from the mine layer Aroostook proceeded to the NC-4 as the latter taxied up to her buoy, where she quickly made fast. It was a perfect landing. As her crew was being taken off by the boat from the Aroostook for reception on the Rochester the British flying boats swept into the Cattewater and drew up alongside the NC-4.

Harbor a Brilliant Spectacle

A strong west wind was blowing when the NC-4 came in. The inner harbor was calm, however, and presented a fine setting for the brilliant picture as viewed from the densely crowded slopes of Plymouth's celebrated playgrounds, the Hoe.

The haze hanging over the sound obscured visibility, and it was not until the NC-4 was over the harbor that her presence became known.

It had been expected that the American flier would arrive at a little before 2 o'clock and some anxiety was felt when the hour passed. Once flying boats which had been scouting out as far as the Eddystone Light, fourteen miles away, returned to the harbor and a false alarm was raised that the NC-4 had arrived.

The American naval base received seventy telegrams to-day directed to the commander of the NC-4, Lieutenant Commander A. C. Read, and others of the crew, congratulating them on the finish of the flight. The majority of the messages were from the United States, one being from Josephus Daniels, Secretary of the Navy.

Fog Met Off Brest

Commander Read said that shortly before reaching Brest his seaplane ran into a thick fog. The NC-4 circled over the shipping in Brest Harbor and then passed directly over the lightship. The journey across the Channel was made at a very low altitude. The seaplane never flew at a greater height than 200 feet and only at 50 to 100 feet most of the way because of the fog.

Bad weather conditions prevailed during the flight across the Bay of Biscay. Nevertheless, the NC-4 kept to her course perfectly, and the trip from Ferrol was made at an average speed of about seventy miles an hour. Before alighting in the sound the NC-4 circled the Hoe and passed over the spot from which the Mayflower sailed.

After a brief reception aboard the Rochester Commander Read and his crew were taken to the Aroostook, where they doffed their flying clothes proceeding to Mayor U. P. Brown's reception at the Mayflower stone. The parade leading to the pier was lined with British bluejackets from men-of-war and shore stations. Behind the lines of bluejackets was an immense gathering of townspeople. On the gaily decorated pier a bluejacket guard of honor was drawn up under a canopy of Ailled flags. The Royal garrison artillery band played American and British anthems.

Town Officials in Robes.

Mayor Brown arrived in state, accompanied by three mace bearers. He wore a cocked hat and crimson robe with fur and the heavy gold mayoralty chain. With him also were the deputy mayor in gorgeous purple robe and the bewigged town clerk.

British and American officers stood with the Mayor lo receive the NC-4's crew. As their boat drew alongside the pier the band played "The Star Spangled Banner" and "God Save the King," and the crew then advanced to meet the Mayor.

In his address Mayor Brown said:

"Plymouth is always a point of historic interest to Americans. The memorable sailing of the Pilgrim Fathers from this spot, although comparatively unnoticed at the time, was an event which has proved to be a point in history of immeasurable interest. Mainly out of that small beginning a mighty people has sprung up, and to-day in most dramatic fashion their descendants have crossed back to us in a way never dreamed of by our forefathers, and equaling in scientific development and darig the greatest imagining of Jules Verne.

"While science has made their flight possible, the great note of the achievement is that it was the old spirit of daring, courage and enterprise which brought success. The world is ringing now, not only with your doings but with the great exploit of Hawker and Grieve, whose skill and pluck are acclaimed by all and rank with your performances.

"I am satisfied that the events we are celebrating to-day are but the precursors of further great developments, and that your achievement will go down in history not only as a great triumph over the elements, but as tending to strengthen the relationship between the two countries."

"Your flight to-day brings our two great countries together in the warmest fellowship. Gentlemen, I salute you and welcome you to England."

Mayor Brown then shook hands and chatted with the crew, while the crowd, in true British style, gave three cheers and a tiger. At the Mayor's suggestion, the crew of the NC-4 stood with him on Mayflower Stone to he photographed.

The journey from the pier to the hotel, where the Americans were entertained to-night by the Royal Air Force, became a triumphal procession, the crowds cheering the NC-4 and her crew.

NC-4 Log Complete;

Last Entry Made

New York Tribune

Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON, May 31. -- The log of the last leg of the transatlantic flight, completed this morning with the arrival of the NC-4 at Plymouth, based on wireless and cabled dispatches received at the Navy Department to-day, follows:

1:21 a.m., from Plymouth: "NC-4 left Lisbon 6:23 (New York 2:23 a. m.), May 30, and landed Mondego River, getting underway and proceeding to Ferrol, where landed at 16:46 (12:45 New York time). Destroyers standing by NC-4; will proceed to Plymouth to-morrow if weather permits."

6:50 a. m. -- From Admiral Knapp at London: "From the Harding: 'U. S. S. Gridley to U. S. S, Rochester. NC-4 expects to leave Ferrol for Plymouth at 6 a. m. to-morrow morning, signed Read.'"

7:22 a. m. -- From Admiral Knapp at London: "NC-4 left Ferrol at 06:27 (2:27 a. m. New York time.)"

8:11 a. m. -- From Admiral Knapp at London: "Following received from U. S. S. George Washington: 'From U. S. S. Stockton, NC-4 passed station two at 07:43 (3:43 a. m. New York time.')"

9:24 a. m. -- From Admiral Knapp at London: "NC-4 passed station four at 09:06 (5:06 New York time.)"

9:50 a. m. From Admiral Knapp: "NC-4 arrived at Plymouth at 14:26:31, English civil time (9:26 a. m., New ork time)."

11:56 a. m. From Admiral Knapp: "NC-4 passed Mengam at 12:13, local time."

3:17 p. m. From Admiral Plunkett, commander of destroyer force at Plymouth: "NC-4 arrived at Plymouth 13:24 (9:24 a. m., New York time) in perfect condition. Joint mission of seaplane division and destroyer force accomplished. Regret loss of NC-1 and damage to NC-3; nevertheless, information of utmost value gained thereby. Has department any further instructions ?"

Log of the NC-4

Date	Time	Movement	Elapsed Time	Distance in Miles
May 8	10:00 a.m.	Left Rockaway.	-	-
May 8	2:50 p.m.	Forced down off Chatham.	4 50	211
May 14	9:25 a.m.	Left Chatham.	-	-
May 14	1:16 p.m.	Arrived Halifax.	3 51	350
May 15	8:52 a.m.	Left Halifax.	-	-
May 15	9:22 a.m.	Landed Storey Head to repair oil and gas lines.	0 30	26
May 15	11:47 a.m.	Left Storey Head.	-	-
May 15	5:41 p.m.	Arrived Trepassey.	5 54	434
May 16	6:07 p.m.	Left Trepassey.	-	-
May 17	9:20 a.m.	Arrived Horta, Island of Fayal, Azores.	15 13	1200
May 20	8:45 a.m.	Left Horta.	-	-
May 20	10:25 a.m.	Arrived Ponta Delgada.	1 40	150
May 27	6:18 a.m.	Left Ponta Delgada.	-	-
May 27	4:02 p.m.	Arrived Lisbon, Portugal.	9 44	800
May 30	1:20 a.m.	Left Lisbon.	-	-
May 30	5:38 p.m.	Forced down on Mondego River for repairs; took air again.	4 18	100
May 30	12:35 p.m.	Landed at Ferrol, Spain.	6 59	250
May 31	5:38 p.m.	Left Ferrol.	-	-
May 31	12:35 p.m.	Arrived Plymouth, England.	6 59	425
-	-	Total.	59 56	3,946

New  York Tribune, 01-June-1919

New  York Tribune, 01-June-1919