High Hopes
Newspaper readers all over the world woke to the news on the 14th of March that another Atlantic attempt was in progress, infact they were hopeful that whoever was in the cockpit would possibly land safely later that day. The headlines were confused about who was with Captain Hinchliffe, though his presence had been confirmed by his London agent. But Elsie's plan was working, there was speculation she could be on the plane but initital reports were almost certain that it was Captain Sinclair, one 'eyewitness' claimed they'd seen him climbing into the plane. This new attempt was front page news with many column inches devoted to what was known, the take-off from Cranwell, and the sightings in Ireland. The successful flights of Alcock and Brown, Lindbergh and Chamberlain (with Levine as passenger) had done nothing to diminish the fervour of the public's interest in flight. When Lindbergh had landed near Paris the year before the huge crowd had almost crushed him in their determination to celebrate his achievement. No one had conquered the east to west route though.
The Manchester Guardian announced "Atlantic Flight in Progress; Captain Hinchliffe's Secret Start on Westward Attempt; Peer's Daughter as Passenger?" In the States the Captain's fame as an airman was well known and many headlines stated that he'd taken off on a 'hop', such a small word for such an enormous task! Many of the reports refered to the last sighting by crew members of a steamer four days out of Bordeaux who believed they'd seen a large plane passing low and heading west. It's virtually impossible that any other aircraft wouldhave been 170 miles off the Irish coast heading across the Atlantic. No official statement had been made as to where the Endeavour was heading but it was widely thought that they would follow the Great Circle Route. In New York, Hinchliffe's agent, John Gillespie announced that although his clients' intentions were not definite, if fuel allowed they would attempt to reach Philadelphia in order to win a $25,000 prize on offer to the first flyer from Europe. This would mean adding a further 1000 miles to the basic distance of 2300 from RAF Cranwell to Newfoundland. Lindbergh had flown 3610 in thirty three hours, but that had been in the summer season and with the prevailing winds pushing him along. Flying into those winds through freezing snow and sleep was another matter.
The suddeness of the Endeavour's departure left even those closest to the aviators confused. Emilie Hinchliffe had every faith in her husband's success but hadn't known until lunchtime on the 13th that he had actually gone. At the Inchcape house in Mayfair a member of staff told reporters that "Miss Mackay left here at half past eight this morning (13th) and said if she was not back at teatime she would not be home until very late." This charming fib had obviously been part of Elsie's plan to keep people, including those closest to her, in the dark. The following day her sister, Mrs Alexander Shaw, stated that "Elsie had promised definitely not to go on the flight with Hinchliffe and, of course, we never dreamed she would do so. There is no doubt, however, that she has gone." Captain Sinclair's dramatic reappearance provided final confirmation that he was not on the plane. Described as "the most sought after man in the British Isles over the last 36 hours" the Captain arrived at the Hinchliffe family home in Surrey. There he stated that his friend had told him many times that if the conditions were favourable he would not land in Newfoundland but "push on to Philadelphia." On the eastern seaboard of North America it was as if all eyes were watching the sky.
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| Captain W G R Hinchiffe |
The Manchester Guardian announced "Atlantic Flight in Progress; Captain Hinchliffe's Secret Start on Westward Attempt; Peer's Daughter as Passenger?" In the States the Captain's fame as an airman was well known and many headlines stated that he'd taken off on a 'hop', such a small word for such an enormous task! Many of the reports refered to the last sighting by crew members of a steamer four days out of Bordeaux who believed they'd seen a large plane passing low and heading west. It's virtually impossible that any other aircraft wouldhave been 170 miles off the Irish coast heading across the Atlantic. No official statement had been made as to where the Endeavour was heading but it was widely thought that they would follow the Great Circle Route. In New York, Hinchliffe's agent, John Gillespie announced that although his clients' intentions were not definite, if fuel allowed they would attempt to reach Philadelphia in order to win a $25,000 prize on offer to the first flyer from Europe. This would mean adding a further 1000 miles to the basic distance of 2300 from RAF Cranwell to Newfoundland. Lindbergh had flown 3610 in thirty three hours, but that had been in the summer season and with the prevailing winds pushing him along. Flying into those winds through freezing snow and sleep was another matter.
The suddeness of the Endeavour's departure left even those closest to the aviators confused. Emilie Hinchliffe had every faith in her husband's success but hadn't known until lunchtime on the 13th that he had actually gone. At the Inchcape house in Mayfair a member of staff told reporters that "Miss Mackay left here at half past eight this morning (13th) and said if she was not back at teatime she would not be home until very late." This charming fib had obviously been part of Elsie's plan to keep people, including those closest to her, in the dark. The following day her sister, Mrs Alexander Shaw, stated that "Elsie had promised definitely not to go on the flight with Hinchliffe and, of course, we never dreamed she would do so. There is no doubt, however, that she has gone." Captain Sinclair's dramatic reappearance provided final confirmation that he was not on the plane. Described as "the most sought after man in the British Isles over the last 36 hours" the Captain arrived at the Hinchliffe family home in Surrey. There he stated that his friend had told him many times that if the conditions were favourable he would not land in Newfoundland but "push on to Philadelphia." On the eastern seaboard of North America it was as if all eyes were watching the sky.
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