Missing for Two Days
p. 42 · Read in the full issue
Fly River Seaplane
THE Short Scion seaplane piloted by Flight-Lieutenant C. A. S. Campbell, with Mr. Qeorge Howden on board as mechanic, which left Sydney in July to carry out exploring operations in Wes tern Papua, reached Daru safely, but disappeared when on its way up the Fly River to its intended base at D’Albertis Junction.
The Australian Government immedi ately sent a Southampton flying boat (which had been surveying in the Gulf of Carpentaria) across to Western Papua to look for the seaplane; and the flying boat located the missing seaplane on July 27 on the Fly River, near Madiri, in tow of the Government launch Vailala.
The launch left Daru on July 26 to search for the seaplane and found it down on the river and helpless owing to engine trouble. The flying boat landed beside the seaplane and subsequently sent out radio messages to say that, while the engine was damaged, all was well other wise.
It is presumed that the seaplane will be repaired and will carry on with its work of prospecting in Western Papua on behalf of the Oroville Dredging Co.
Ltd.