The Washington herald., 1908-08-05

Berlin. Aug Count Zeppelin to-day
Unexpectedly again attempted 70 make an
Gnbroken twenty-f0ur hours flight in his
airship. he was obliged 10 aught this
evening near Opqenheim after q journey
lasting twelve hours, but later started for
home
His achievement was a great one. es-
tablishing a distance record for a dirigible
aerOstaL He started at 6:45 O'Clock this
morning from the shed in Lake Con
stance. The weather conditions being ideal
The aerostat sped swiftly TO the east.
passing over Constance about twenty
minutes after the ascent Shortly after
ward a slight contrary wind was met
with, but che airship suffered no notice
able check. and al $50 o'clock il was
above Basle. having covered ninety-seven
miles IN Vel under three hours Here II
turned, and stiu following the Rhine.
bore steadily 10 the northeast along the
route prescribed for the official test
Passing above cheering throngs at AIuI-
hausen and Colmar, Strasburg was
reached at u-5o The scene here was
most remarkable Besides the dense
throngs in squares and other open spaces.
thousands crowded the roofs
Mannheim Is Reached.
Mannheim was reached at 2..o. and
again tens OF thousands OF persons who
had congregated in the city and on the
river bank cheered the airship. while the
sirens Of river steamers and the whistles
Of locomotives and factories raised a pan
demoniun- Here Count Zeppelin drop
ped another message Of good cheer and
sped toward AIayence. which was the
northward limit Of the trip That place
was reached at 3 O'Clock He Gid not
send an Official notification OF the fact 10
Berlin.
There were eleven persons on board.
but no member Of the war ONCE star
vas among them. although condition
OF the purchase Of the balloon bv the
government is that an official Of the
ministry OF war must be present az The
trial trips.
Upon reaching 8Iavence turn was
made and the trip homewsrd begun. but
the aerostat was destined not 70 reach
there without a stop Shortly after leav-
ing Mayence. trouble with the nechau-
ism developed Accounts differ as 70
whether the trouble was with the for
ward motor OF the steering gear, but
whatever 1t was, II grew worse. until the
crew was compelled 10 prepare 10 de
scend
It was then seen why Count Zeppelin
had Rugged the Rhine closely through
out the trip one Of the chief criticisms
OF the huge aerosrsr IS that its bulk and
weight prevent II from landing on the
ground. and until this is corrected. i
cannot descend safely except upon water.
About two miles from Oppenhein. the
huge vessel was safely lowered uUon
The surface OF the river at about s
o'cio5}z, and there anchored.
Repairs were made, with al the speed
possible and the hOu}eward journey con
tinued. as the position Of the airship was
somewhat DeriiOus. owing 10 the current
and the river traffic.
Start for Home.
To everybody's surprise and delight
Count Zeppelin reascended. and IS now on
his way 10 Lake Constance The damage
proved so slight that II was repaired in
3 few hours, and at I0;s5 the airship
scared again and returned TO Nrave1ce.
over which city IL circIed and then be
gan its homeward voyage over the same
route It had taken 10 reach that place.
The weather forecast is very favorable
and the ship VIII have a hOmeward .r1-1
before the wind
Satisfactory as the prospect seems II
may be pointed cut that the descent r7IIIf-
fes the test if the "trip was intended as an
Official one