CHAPTER X
When Harry arranged to leave Melbourne for Sydney on Tuesday, February 17th, he did not do so on account of any falling-off in the interest of the residents of Melbourne and district, whose enthusiasm never abated. In fact, when he did leave, and when he departed from Australia for the last time (although he never knew it to be the last), there were many who, having offered as much as £20 for short flights, had to be disappointed.
There was no narrowness about Harry’s plans for promoting aviation propaganda in Australia. One idea which influenced his actions considerably was to bring into bold relief in the world of aeronautics the name of Australia, to do which he must accomplish the converse, by bringing the world of aeronautics to the knowledge of Australia. He hoped to achieve his object in part by establishing one or two important records before returning to England in May. On the important subject of the aerial defence of Australia Harry expressed very strong views; and his authority was never disputed, for had he not been brought into close touch with defence requirements in testing the Sopwith hydro-aeroplanes for the Admiralty and in flying one thousand miles around the British coast? He gave it as his opinion that the aeroplanes already imported by the Australian Defence Department would be of no practical use for the purpose intended. His view was supported by several sound reasons. First, he declared that Australia’s long coast-line made it imperative to employ hydro-aeroplanes or flying-boats, and not land machines.
“No one,” he said, “is coming from New South Wales to attack Victoria. The danger to either state or the whole continent will threaten from the sea, and it is therefore on the sea-board that Australia must be prepared to intercept the enemy.” Continuing, Harry declared that what was required by the Australian Defence Department was a number of machines which could slip out over the coast at a speed of a hundred miles an hour and drop their engines of destruction upon the enemy before he “pushed the battle to the gate.” Another significant statement which Harry made concerning the machines which had already been acquired by the Defence Department related to their antiquity. “Those machines,” he said, “were ordered to my knowledge twelve months before they arrived here. They have been here approximately twelve months. Aeroplanes are constantly being improved, and the constructors as a rule produce at least two new models a year. So, you see, your machines are four models old already, and can only be used, if at all, for school purposes.”
THE DERELICT AEROPLANE, IN WHICH HARRY AND GRIEVE HAD ATTEMPTED THE CROSSING, WAS RECOVERED FROM THE ATLANTIC BY THE U. S. STEAMER “LAKE CHARLOTTEVILLE.”
[Facing p. 156.
