DIRECT FLIGHT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC.

VICKERS AEROPLANE'S NON-STOP VOYAGE OF 1,880 MILES.

CAPTAIN ALCOCK'S STORY.

"THE WONDER IS WE ARE HERE AT ALL."

Vickers-Vimy-Rolls aeroplane landed at Clifden, in Ireland, at 8.40 (Greenwich mean time) this morning. - Wireless Press.

This message, printed in a late edition of the "Sunday Express" yesterday morning, was the first public announcement that Captain Alcock and Lieutenant Whitten Brown had made the first direct flight across the Atlantic.

Later, the following wireless message from the Royal Aero Club was issued by the Air Ministry:-

"Clifden, Ireland, Sunday, June 15.
"Landed Clifden 8.40 a.m. (Greenwich mean time), June 15, Vickers-Vimy Atlantic machine, leaving Newfoundland 4.28 p.m. (Greenwich mean time) June 14.
"Total time, 16 hours 12 minutes.
(Signed)
"Captain Alcock (Pilot),
"Lieutenant Brown (Navigator)."

A further wireless message stated that the airmen found the landing at Clifden most difficult, owing to the bumpy nature of the ground. Captain Alcock said:-

"We are tired of being alone in the fog and drizzle, sometimes discovering that we were flying upside down."

The first news received in London that the flight had been begun was conveyed in a telegram received from Mr. Edwin Cleary, the "Daily Express" special correspondent at St. John's, Newfoundland, on Saturday afternoon, and published in yesterday's "Sunday Express":-

ST. JOHN'S (Newfoundland), June 14.
The Vickers-Vimy-Rolls machine started on the Atlantic flight at 4.13 p.m. (Greenwich time) this afternoon.

The apparent discrepancy in the statements of the time occupied by the flight is due to the fact that the "Daily Express" message gives the time of the rise from the ground, while Captain Alcock's time is taken from the moment of crossing the coast line - from land to land.

[ . . . ]

MISHAP AT THE LANDING.

SWAMP MISTAKEN FOR A FIELD.

Wireless Press Special Correspondent.
CLIFDEN (Galway), Sunday, June 15, 10 p.m.

When making the landing the pylons of the centre section of the aeroplane, as well as the main spar of the lower plane, were broken, but the steel construction of the fuselage saved the machine from further damage. The machine will, however, have to be dismantled in consequence of this damage.

The machine circled over the town of Clifden, untroubled by the gusty wind prevailing, with the object apparently of seeking a safe landing-lace, and the roar of the engines created considerable surprise and excitement among the inhabitants.

Eventually the machine turned towards the Marconi wireless station and landed on what must have appeared to the aviators as splendid flat ground, but which those on the spot knew to be very soft. After running along the ground, the machine topped and buried both propellers in the soft earth.

SLIGHT INJURIES.

Soldiers, wireless operators, and others, dressed mainly in pyjamas and coats, rushed to the spot, which is about a mile from the Marconi aerial masts, and got wet to the skin in the swampy bog. The aviators were assisted from the machine. Lieutenant Brown was slightly injured on the nose and mouth through the jolt when the machine landed. Both aviators were deaf and dazed, and unable to walk steadily for some minutes, but they soon recovered their good spirits and were escorted to the station buildings in triumph.

They distributed souvenirs in the shape of small dog and small cat mascots and cigarettes, which had been soaked through on the journey.

The breaking away of the generator propeller soon after the start prevented them using their wireless. When this happened Lieutenant Brown noticed that the propeller carried away with it one of the stay wires, but he did not tell Captain Alcock until after they had landed at Clifden.

Although no wireless messages could be sent out, the aviators heard Clifden transmitting the weather conditions. The conditions enroute were so bad that only three observations for navigation could be made. Lieutenant Brown had to climb from his seat to clear ice away from the petrol gauge.

UNDER GUARD.

The machine is now guarded by a detachment of soldiers lent from the Marconi station. Local crowds soon gathered round the aeroplane, which is stuck fast in the bog with its tail in the air. After breakfast Lieutenant Brown went to bed, while Captain Alcock inspected the machine. Lieutenant Brown was, however, unable to sleep and got up.

By noon the airmen were looking perfectly well, and willingly distributed autographs to those who wanted them. They made a tour of the station, and showed great interest in the various instruments. They left the station at 4.15 this afternoon by car for Galway.

Captain Alcock wished to fly to England on a borrowed R.A.F. machine, but Lieutenant Brown stated that he had "enough flying for a bit". Captain Alcock showed a bunch of letters soaked with rain which he had been asked to post if the flight was successful. He said, "I'm the first Transatlantic postman."

NARROW ESCAPE.

Before leaving Clifden Captain Alcock and Lieutenant Brown, in describing the story of the flight, said that only once were they in danger, when the machine went into a flat spin owing to the pilot being unable to know how the machine was moving.

Lieutenant Brown, noticing that the compass needle was swinging from side to side - the first indication that something was wrong - managed to get Captain Alcock to understand. The machine was travelling at about 140 miles per hour at the time, and suddenly Captain Alcock found himself diving straight towards the surface of the ocean, and when not more than ten feet from the water he snatched the machine from its dive so rapidly that it almost looped the loop.

Captain Alcock said the machine would have crumpled up completely if it had touched the water at the speed they were travelling.

AIRMAN'S PROUD BRIDE.

WELCOME PREPARED FOR LIEUTENANT BROWN.

Miss Kennedy, to whom Lieutenant Brown is shortly to be married, told a "Daily Express" representative last night that she was delighted with the success of the flight.

"It is splendid," she said. "I am tremendously proud.

"My family and I were deeply concerned when the flight started, but now all is well and Captain Alcock and Lieutenant Brown have reached their goal."

Major and Mrs. Kennedy were equally elated. They have been the recipients of countless congratulations.

"We share our daughter's pride," said Major Kennedy, "and Lieutenant Brown is assured of an ovation when he arrives."

Hundreds of spectators yesterday assembled outside Miss Kennedy's home at Ealing and cheered for Lieutenant Brown and his bride.