“It looked for some time as if the plane would capsize. All hands realized the danger we were in, but none of them showed the slightest fear. At 17.40 (1.40 P. M. New York time) we sighted a steamer, hull down, and sent a radio message to her. Then we taxied in her direction. The ship proved to be the _Ionia_. She had no wireless. After a little she sighted us. Then the fog shut down again and the ship disappeared from view. “Later, when the fog cleared, we saw that the ship was heading for us. We got alongside at 19.20 (3.20 P. M. New York time), and at 2.20 were on board the _Ionia_. An effort was made to tow the plane, but the line parted. A destroyer came alongside at 00.35 (8.35 P. M. New York time) and took charge of the NC-1. The _Ionia_ landed us at Horta. The plane was left at latitude 29 degrees, 58 minutes, longitude 30 degrees, 15 minutes.” HISTORY OF NAVY’S GREAT OCEAN FLIGHT November, 1917—Conference between navy and Curtiss engineers at Washington, D. C. January, 1918—Working model tested in wind-tunnel. Found practical. October, 1918—Trial flight of NC-1 at Rockaway Beach, Long Island. November, 1918—NC-1 makes long-distance trip from Rockaway to Anacostia, D. C., 358 miles, in 5 hours 19 minutes. February, 1919—-NC-2 climbs 2,000 feet in five minutes. February 24, 1919—Secretary of Navy orders four planes to be prepared for transatlantic flight. April 3, 1919—-NC-2 found to be impractical in design of hull, and is taken out of the flight. NC-3 and NC-4 assembled at Rockaway. May 7—NC-4 damaged by fire while in hangar. Wings replaced. Elevators repaired. May 8—Three planes leave Rockaway for Trepassey Bay, Newfoundland. May 8—NC-3 and NC-4 arrive at Halifax, N. S. (450 miles). NC-4 forced down by motor trouble. Puts in at Chatham Bay, Mass., for repairs after riding the waves all night. May 10—NC-1 and NC-3 proceed from Halifax to Trepassey in 6 hours 56 minutes (460 miles). May 14—NC-4 flies from Chatham to Halifax in 4 hours 10 minutes at 85 miles an hour. May 16—Three planes leave Trepassey Bay for Azores, 1,250 miles. NC-4 lands at Horta, Azores, in 15 hours 18 minutes. NC-1 drops in ocean half hour from Flores. Crew rescued; seaplane a total wreck. NC-3 lost in storm. Forced to descend 205 miles from destination. May 19—NC-3 arrives at Ponta Delgada riding waves under own power. Wings and hull wrecked. Engine-struts broken. Out of race. May 20—NC-4 flies from Horta to Ponta Delgada, Azores, 160 miles, in 1 hour 44 minutes. May 27—NC-4 flies from Ponta Delgada to Lisbon, Portugal, 810 miles, in 9 hours 43 minutes. Flying time from Newfoundland to Portugal (2,150 miles), 26 hours 45 minutes. May 30—NC-4 flies from Lisbon to Ferrol, Spain, 300 miles, after a halt at Mondego, 100 miles north of Lisbon, owing to engine trouble. May 31—NC-4 flies from Ferrol, Spain, to Plymouth, England, 400 miles, without a hitch, thus completing the transatlantic flight as scheduled.