Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Chain Of Ships For McGee.

New York Times 100 years ago today, May 8, 1913:
Marine Stations for Gasoline and Food on Flight Over Ocean.
Special to The New York Times.
    PAWTUCKET, R.I., May 7.— James McGee, aviator, of this city, who has announced his intention of trying for the British Aero Club's $50,000 prize for the first transatlantic flight accomplished in seventy-two hours, made known to-day the details of his plan. He will make the start from Newport on July 4 in a machine equipped with water planes. He will head straight for the coast of Newfoundland, and plans to make a landing there. In the meantime vessels will have been stationed along the route across the ocean, 300 to 500 miles apart. These vessels will be informed by wireless of the aviator's departure from Newfoundland, and will be kept in touch with his progress by the same means.
    The flyer will depend on the compass and his elevation to pick up the relief boats, from which he plans to renew his store of gasoline and food. He thinks the flight will be easy, provided the seas are not high when he attempts to alight near the relief ships.

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