Commander A.C. Read in U.S. Seaplane NC-4, Is Attempting to Cross Atlantic, May 27, 1919

U.S. Navy Commander A.C. Read Pilots Curtiss NC-4 Plane in attempt to cross Atlantic.

From the Hickory Daily Record, May 27, 1919

NC-4 Making Good Headway in Flight. . . Famous Seaplane Has Covered More Than Half Distance in Few Hours. . . Favorable Weather for Start from Azores This Morning. . . Near Lisbon Now

By the Associated Press

Washington, May 27—The NC-4 passed station ship 9 at 16.12 Greenwich time (12:18 Washington time).

Station ship nine is approximately 350 miles from Lisbon and 450 miles from Horta Del Gada. The seaplane made the 450 miles flight in approximately six hours.

By the Associated Press

Ponta Del Gada May 27—The American seaplane NC-4 started for Lisbon at 10:18 this morning Greenwich time (6:18 Washington time).

Progress of Flight

By the Associated Press

Washington, May 27—Station ship No. 5 more than 250 miles east of Ponta Del Gado reported the NC-4 had passed at 12:35 Greenwich time (9:35 a.m. Washington time).

Station ship No. 6 reported the plane passed at 1:05 p.m. (10:05 a.m. Washington time).

Made Good Start

By the Associated Press

Ponta Del Gada, May 27—With Commander A.C. Reed confident that he would reach the coast of Portugal before darkness tonight thus receiving the coveted honor of making the first transatlantic flight, United States seaplane NC-4 started for Lisbon at 10:14, Greenwich time.

The crew of the seaplane, which was the same as that which made the memorable flight to Newfoundland, boarded the plane an hour before sunrise, but it was not until seven hours later that the giant machine taxied outside the breakwater, headed windward and rose gracefully into the air.

She headed for the harbor and headed for her destination amid the cheers of soldiers and sailors who lined the decks in the harbor and the piers, together with the sounding of whistles in the harbor.

The weather was almost perfect this morning, with the warm spring sun shining brightly on the waters of the bay. There were but few clouds in the sky, and only a faint northwest wind blowing, which was favorable to the flyers. Lieutenant Commander Read (Spelled Reed at beginning of story and Read here) expected to spend the night in Lisbon and resume his flight tomorrow.

The course between here and Portugal is marked by 14 American destroyers.

Over Half Way

By the Associated Press

Washington, May 27—The NC-4 passed stationship No. 8, more than half way to Lisbon, at 15:15 Greenwich time (11:15, Washington time).