Speeding Trans-Atlantic Mails

Speeding Trans-Atlantic Mails By Claude C. Cornwall WHILE Clarence Chamberlain was returning to America on the Leviathan, after his flight across the Atlantic, he con- ceived a novel idea for mail transportation. What he had in mind was a combination of ship and aeroplane to cut one day each way in trans-Atlantic mail delivery. An experimental take-off was successfully launched last Aug- ust, about two hundred miles out from New York. A platform about fifty feet long was constructed atop the Leviathan's bridge and a Wright Whirlwind Service Plane placed on this runway. I stood among the expectant thousands of passengers and sea- men, who were out on that rainy morning awaiting the famous "take-off." Clarence Chamberlain was risking his life on an ex- periment. The great ocean liner was plowing along toward Europe at slightly reduced speed. Two destroyers from the U. S. Navy were, "standing by" to rescue the flier, if possible, in case of mishap. The life boat crew stood ready. Calmly this skillful pilot started his engine, mounted to the cock pit, signaled the sailors to remove the wheel blocks — and he was off. Before the plane had reached the end of this short runway he had "taken the air." He was about four feet above the platform when he cleared the ship. It was all done so easily we were spellbound. I stood on the forward deck with Marcel Ullman, a Frenchman. He seized my arm, "Beautiful! Beautiful!" he shouted. "Cheer, Cornwall, why don't you cheer? Hurrah! Hurrah!" By that time the plane was circling over the naval destroyers, (his protectors), like a swallow over the lake. Then he came over the Leviathan again, with a downward swoop, close to the ocean's surface — to take our breath and give us a thrill of fright — then on to New York! Now, the idea is that when these fast ocean liners leave Europe they will carry an aeroplane on a launching runway. When they are within a few hundred miles of the New York shore the plane will take-off and arrive a day ahead of the boat, carrying fast mail — and, eventually, passengers. Another experiment tried the past Summer was to drop a mail sack on the ship from a plane after it was a day out to sea. The Navy plane which tried this was caught in a dense fog and couldn't

298 IMPROVEMENT ERA locate the ship, so the project was abandoned. If this combination becomes successful, mail may be transported across the Atlantic in three days. Mrs. Clarence Chamberlain wishing her aviator husband success in his attempt to launch his plane from a fast moving ocean liner. Salt Lake. R. D. No. 2 Leveled Mountains Can you build plans, and then see them all broken. And yet not lose the will to build again? Can you hold hopes, where love's the sacred token, And when they've vanished, loving, smile through pain? Can you still know, when dark clouds hide the sunshine. That back, way back, the sun is still up there? And that the Gods, who move the whole creation, Are planning for your good, this winding stair? Can you keep faith, though you can't see the future? Can you still trust, when you think things are wrong? Well, if you can, you will be oft rewarded; And all your sighs will turn to cheerful song. And by your faith your mountains will be leveled, With doubt away your vision will be clear, The clouds will ope to show the sun's bright shining And God will straight the way with presence near. LlNNIE FISHER ROBINSON