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H. G. Hawker, airman: his life and work cover

H. G. Hawker, airman: his life and work

Chapter 21: CHAPTER XVI
By Muriel Hawker
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About This Book

The biography traces the life of an early aviator who develops mechanical skill in youth, manages motor fleets, and pursues a passion for flying that leads him from home to England and to the Brooklands scene. It recounts trials and successes in design and flight, early employment and financial struggles, and his refusal to abandon hazardous work despite family responsibilities. Interwoven are personal recollections from his widow, portraying a modest, optimistic, generous character with occasional irritability and lax financial habits, and the technical, social, and emotional contexts of pioneering aviation. The narrative combines chronological chapters, eyewitness anecdotes, and illustrative photographs to convey both career milestones and private temperament.

CHAPTER XVI

ONE THOUSAND MILES OVER THE ATLANTIC

Signalling Arrangements—Temperament—A Press Tribute—The American Attempt—Just Before the Start—Parting Messages—The Start—“Poor Old Tinsydes!”—Dropping the Undercarriage—Out of Sight of Land in Ten Minutes—Over the Fog—Four Hours Above a Sea of Clouds—Grieve’s Method of Navigation—Weather Not as Forecasted—Taking the Drift through a Hole in the Clouds—400 Miles Out—Cloud Banks and a Gale—After 5½ Hours—Over-heating Radiator—What was the Cause?—The Only Possible Remedy—Is Effective at First—At 10,000 Feet—Giants of Nature 15,000 feet High—A Side-wind that Became a Gale—Flying “Crabwise”—Losing Height—Clouds, Darkness, and a Doubtful Time—Nearly Down to the Sea—Dawn—Sea-sick—Looking for a Ship—The Mary—The Rescue—Up to the Knees in the Sea—Captain Duhn—Sighting St. Hilda and the Butt of Lewis—A Famous Signal—“Is it Hawker?”—“Yes”—The Navy’s Guests—The Civic Welcome at Thurso.