Show Versa versatile file isles of bermuda now eif enter er f the he air pid picture ure opening ot of regular passenger air air service between the states and bermuda throws the he aviation spotlight on thi the e tiny semitropical semi tropical british colony out in the open atlantic says a bulle tin from the national geographic SOCIL society ity versatile bermuda thus adds to its role of health pleasure and yachting center in an important function as a stepping stone on the projected southern transatlantic air route the bulletin continues at present only the mile section between port washington N Y and ham lIb milton alton bermuda is in operation and the traffic is being shared by pan american airways and the british imperial airways once scene of many shipwrecks although bermuda is such a tiny liny pinprick on the map ot of the atlantic ocean that radio directional beams are needed to guide modern flying boats to its shores in earlier days it was a thorn in the side of mariners marinero ma since its discoverer juan daber judez piled his ship up on its treacherous coral reefs in 1315 bermuda has been the scene of countless shipwrecks extending down to last year when the spanish liner cristobal colon was lost off north rock channels d dredged r c d g e d through reefs powerful lighthouses and other navigational aids however have virtually eliminated hazards to navigation and today thousands of tourists from the united states canada and england visit the little mid ocean island group annually industries are arc generally barred in the islands yet bermuda has some iome of the largest and finest f I 1 nest resort hotels in the world numerous otis shops and stores and a perfume factory of increasing importance poil tance is its export trade of easter lilies and early vegetables air base on darrell island perhaps the most conspicuous recent change is the new air base on darrell island in the sound near hamilton the capital one end of this rocky cedar covered bit of land has been cleared two concrete slipways slip ways run up from the blue waters of the sound to an oceh open space before a huge steel and glass hangar at the other end of the colony in st georges the returning traveler may notice large liners arich ored within the almost landlocked harbor of the ancient capita tal of bermuda they have entered through the town cut a newly dredged channel like a miniature panama canal between the main island of st georges and paget island across st georges harbor an imposing new steel and concrete bridge now links st davids the arrowroot isle with st georges bermuda will become an even more important air base when the southern transatlantic air line is put into operation the next lap eastward on this route is a 2210 mile jump to ponta delgada Dol gada in the azores followed by a mile hop to lisbon portugal and a mile final link to london meanwhile plans are going forward tor for a north atlantic line following a projected route via the irish free state slate newfoundland new brunswick and montreal or new york this latter route is shorter than the ber muda azores portugal line but b u t has fewer days of favorable Favo favorable rabie flying weather |