So, a few minutes after the take-off we nearly lost two of our crew. That would have been a jolly beginning! Actually Slim came within inches of falling out when the door suddenly slid open. And when I dived for that gasoline can, edging towards the opening door, I, too, had a narrow escape. However, a string tied through the leather thong in the door itself and fastened to a brace inside the cabin held it shut fairly securely. * * * * _Log Book:_ The take-off was an eventful period. The wind was fair and the water slightly ruffled. When we started from the tug the sun was just coming over the rim of the harbor. A few dawn clouds hung about in the pink glow. The camera men and small group who came to see the departure were in a happy mood. For the third time they had assembled. Twice before the weather had prevented a getaway. The rehearsals had made all familiar with the process of arising at 3:30 and boarding a tug at 4:30 for a “fishing trip.” Twice the thermos bottles had been filled and dumped and twice sandwiches had been replaced. This morning the whole thing was an old act. There were not so many present, as I had told the four friends of mine who knew of the flight, not to come. I didn’t fancy another farewell and return a short while later. However, when we got out into the harbor, a small launch came chugging up and in it were my banished friends. We were taxiing along toward open water and wind. A few craft were stirring, but Sunday morning does not bring out the usual activity. Before, in trying to get off we passed many small fishing dories and even had to avoid the New York boat which was just coming in. This time all I could see was the silhouette of the various landmarks in the harbor. In the early morning light it was impossible to distinguish colors. Bill headed the plane into the wind and gave her everything she had. We flew over the water, but the drag of the pontoons held us down. We tried again from a greater distance and still the water wouldn’t let us go. Out went six five-gallon cans of gasoline— we had only eight—for another try. * * * * Ordinarily a ship of this type is equipped with two wing tanks, which carry 95 gallons of gasoline. We had four. Many people don’t realize, when they see a monoplane in the air, the thickness of the wings. From bottom to top the wing of Friendship measured about twenty-eight inches in some places; but after all this, in comparison with the great wing spread of seventy-two feet, gives an appearance of slightness. For a long cruise extra gasoline carrying capacity is needed, so Friendship was equipped with two special tanks, elliptical affairs, which bulged into the space just aft of the cockpit usually occupied by passengers.