North Atlantic Air Service — Galway's Part in Ocean Travel of the Future
The Connacht Tribune, Saturday, November 4, 1933
Col. Lindbergh (right), accompanied by Mr. D. Quinlan, the representative of Messrs. Pratts, being towed in his seaplane out of Galway docks before taking off for Inverness, the capital of the Scottish Highlands. (Photo: Dowler)
Introduction
Col. Charles A. Lindbergh and Mrs. Lindbergh, having flown on Wednesday week last from Galway to Inverness, returned later to Southampton Water, and flew from thence to Paris where they are at present as the honoured guess of the French Air Ministry.
It is understood that the famous aviator has now completed for the Pan—American Airways his survey of the possibilities of the North Atlantic air route, and that Galway Port has been included favourably in that survey. Col. Lindbergh believes that it is possible to operate the route during the summer on a regular schedule. Further investigations will have to be made regarding conditions in the winter.
According to a London correspondent, some criticism was expressed as to Col. Lindbergh's secrecy as to his mission. In reality there was, as the Colonel stated in Galway, no secrecy. The events of over a year and a half ago had so unnerved Mrs. Lindbergh that, whilst she was quite content to fly the oceans with her husband, she could not stand the crowds who would meet the couple everywhere if there were extensive publicity as to their movements. Accordingly, the airman has protected her from meeting such crowds or attending public functions.
It has not yet been settled whether they will fly back to the States. Mrs. Lindbergh is anxious to get back to her baby, and it is possible that they may proceed by sea.
Galway's Hospitality
Col. Lindbergh enjoyed the hospitality of Galway very much, and Mrs. Lindbergh was especially delighted with the work which Capt. Meskill and the Galway boatmen did for her husband and herself. Mr. Dan Quinlan, of Messrs. Pratts, was one of the first to board the seaplane upon its arrival, and he was in almost constant attendance on the distinguished party until their departure, supervising the refuelling of the seaplane.
A tribute is also due to Mr. Geo. Smyth, of the Galway Post Office, for his individual supervision and facilitation of the telegraphic arrangements during the visit.
Galway Harbour Commissioners, at their meeting on last Tuesday, decided unanimously to defray the cost of all labour in connection with the mooring and moving of the seaplane. There were present at the meeting: Messrs. Martin McDonough, chairman; E. D. Keane, J.S. Young, Ml. O'Flaherty, P. O'Gorman, M.T. Donnellan, M. Brennan, T. C. McDonough, and J. T. Costello.
As already stated, Col. and Mrs. Lindbergh were the guests of the chairman of the Harbour Commissioners during their two—day visit to Galway and Connemara. Accompanied by Mr. T. C. McDonough and Mr. J. F. Costello, M.P.S.I., they visited the Corrib and Inishambo on Tuesday last.
Britain and Atlantic Service
That definite progress is being made towards the organisation of a transatlantic air service was officially confirmed by Sir Eric Geddes, chairman of Imperial Airways, in a reference which he made at the company's general meeting to the recent talks. "This project is one to which a great deal of investigations is still being devoted," he said,
and I am glad to be able to tell you that we have made satisfactory contacts and have established certain understandings in regard to co—operation with the Canadian and Newfoundland Governments. Canada is likely to be, by force of circumstances, the last of the great Dominions with which we shall make contact by means of a regular air service. I am happy to say, however, that we have established a very cordial relationship with the official and commercial aviation interests in Canada, and we can look forward to developments taking place on this transatlantic project in complete harmony between Great Britain and Canada.
We are working also in co—operation with Pan—American Airways, which, if I may put it in this way, is the equivalent in the United States of Imperial Airways in this country. That is to say, it undertakes for the United States Government the operation of the long—distance overseas American air transport services. We hope during next year to be able to establish in conjunction with and in co—operation with Pan—American Airways, a service between Bermuda and the United States.
Sir Eric stated that during the year under review the company's aircraft flew 2,031,000 miles, passenger traffic showing the highest rate of increase, the passenger—ton mileage being '103 per cent. greater than for the previous year. The mails showed an increase of 28 per cent. over the previous year. The growth of this class of traffic has been seriously hampered up to now by the policy adopted, not only by our own Post Office but also by other administrations. There are signs of postal administrations realising that the air mail services are now being accepted by the public as a normal means of conveyance.
A gross profit of £266,150 was announced.
Floating Seadromes?
An American exchange says that Mr. Edward Armstrong, president of the Seadrome Ocean Dock Corporation, Wilmington, Del., plans to string across the Atlantic from New York to Vigo, Spain, and Cork, Ireland, as airplane refuelling and repair stations in the event present plans for a regular transatlantic air service work out. Mr. Armstrong recently applied to the R.F.C. for a $30,000,000 loan to put his idea into operation. The "floating island" plan is interesting in view of the report that Colonel Charles A. Lindbergh has decided against a regular air route to Europe via Greenland and Iceland. The Colonel and his wife recently made an exhaustive survey over that route with a view to determining the feasibility of a regular air passenger service.
This report should be accepted with reserve, as it is understood that Colonel Lindbergh has decided that a summer air service across the North Atlantic is feasible.