New Guinea’s Unique Air Service
How 12 Planes Carry Freight and Passengers to Goldfield
An aeroplane service, probably unique in the world, was established in New Guinea in 1927.
It was, then, in the nature of a bold experiment, but its rapid growth is testimony to ite outstanding success. It now provides the only regular transport between the 300 residents on the Edie plateau—up in the Morobe goldfields—and the outside world.
THE first aerodrome was built at Lae, 18 miles by water from Salamoa, the nearest port to the goldfield. Passengers and freight were taken there from Salamoa, from the incoming steamers, by pinnace and lighters. The water journey, under even normal weather conditions, took about five hours. From Lae, the plane trip to Wau, on the plateau, occupied about 40 minutes, for the 60 miles covered.
The Ellyou Company, which afterwards become New Guinea Goldfields Ltd., then considered the practicability of constructing an aerodrome at Salamoa, thus cutting out the journey to Lae. The site at Lae was first chosen because it provided almost a natural landing ground, whereas Salamoa was covered by jungle growth, and was crossed by a large overflow from the Frisco River.
The company’s plan was adopted, and an aerodrome was constructed by its officers at Salamoa. On its completion, the plane trip, from Salamoa to Wau. took only 25 minutes. The big trimotored Handley-Page machine, which recently crashed, held the record for this flight, accomplishing it in 18 minutes.
It is now possible for residents of Edie Creek, where New Guinea Goldfields Ltd. has its headquarters, to leave their homes early in the morning, walk to Wau (12 miles), catch a plane to Salamoa, transact business there for two hours, fly back to Wau and return to Edie Creek before dark. Without planes, the walk to the coast, through country which is almost incredibly wild and broken, would have taken ten days.
The Services
About twelve planes are operating at present.
Messrs. Ross and Taylor, and Capt.
Shoppe (Papuan Airways) have regular services from Salamoa to Wau.
Guinea Airways Ltd., the largest transport organisation there, which has always lifted freight from Lae, has instituted a Junker service, from Lae to Wau, to Salamoa, and return to Lae.
From reports, it appears likely that this company may adopt Salamoa as a permanent hoppin-off ground. Shipping facilities are far superior at Salamoa, which has been declared a " port of
entry” for the Mandated Territory.
Fares and freight rates are being gradually reduced. To-day, it costs a passenger £3/15/- for the trip to the field. Freight is lifted at 9d. per lb.
A service, known as the Morlae Airline, was started by Lieut. Parer, well remembered for his famous flight, with
McIntosh, from England to Australia. The route was from Port Moresby to Lae, and the time taken was from 2½ to 3 hours.
Later, Lieut. Parer placed his machine on the Lae to Wau service, and he now holds the record of making altogether 63 solo flights in a month, with freight, between those ’dromes — truly a great performance.
Until a road or rail track is laid to connect the coast with the field,
planes will continue their indispensable service. The surprisingly few mishaps to the machines, under what have been described as very difficult flying conditions, show the efficiency attained by the companies and the pilots. ———
A glimpse of the aerodrome at Wau. ———
The journey overland to the coast is through country of indescribable wildness. This is the method of communication—a string of native carriers on the track. ———