B.S.I. Seaplane Goes

Down

(Contributed)

TULAGI, April 20.

OUR local airman (Mr. S. Masterman), after months of hard work and ted ious preparations, got his seaplane afloat early on Sunday morning, April 19.

He warmed the engine up a bit by steaming around the harbour in circles and successfully waking up all hands — the majority of people thinking that at least Mussolini had arrived with some of his bombers for practice here. They were quite relieved to see “Monty” enjoying himself by getting used to the joy-stick.

At last, with a roar and a long run across the harbour, the plane rose grace fully enough. But it did not seem to be just right, and had a decided wobble; and when Monty was about two miles out she came down suddenly with a great splash, stood on her head, and then rolled “starboard side over.”

Speculation was rife. Where was Monty? However, after a while a bulky figure was seen climbing on the floats.

A Chinese craft dashed to the rescue, doing two knots per hour and, after weathering the submerged wings, took Monty aboard. By this time the Govern ment launch, with some of the “leading hands,” put out and, after sighting our nautical aviator, brought him safely ashore —wet, sadder, but much safer.

Where is the plane? Ask Monty. His tory relates that Monty that day played the best game of golf and billiards since his arrival in the Solomons many years ago.