The Penn's Grove record., 1908-08-14
ZEPPELIN AIRSH|P
MASS OF WRECKAGE
ExpIodes During a Thunderstorm
and Blows Away.
INVENTOR BROKEN HEARTED

Swept Frona It's Moorings at Echter-
dingen While at Anchor During
Long Anticipated Trial - To
Construct New Airship at Once.
Echterdingen, Germany.-A dra-
matte end came to Count Zeppelin's
attempt at a Neutrality-suspicious. endur-
ance flight in his monster dirigib1e
balloon, and the airship, which the
day before was cutting rapidly
| through the air and pursuing auto
mobiles, lies in an open field near
here a mass of twisted, useless metal.
A chapter of accidents, due to a storm
and the failure of mechanical appli-
ances combined, was responsible for
the abrupt termination of the flight
on the homeward journey.
Nevertheless, the performance Of
the airship the day prior to it's de-
struction added new laurels to those
already gained by Count Zeppelin. 1t
descended and landed on dry land
easily and smoothly. One of the steel
wire stays snapped, but otherwise the
airship was as unruffied as If it had
been dropped into its accustomed
place in Lake Constance. 1t was the
first time on record that a dirigible
balloon had landed on firm ground
without sustaining injury.
Though Count Zeppelin was much
cast down by the unlocked for ending
of what promised to be a record
breaking fight throughout, it is prob
able that he will lose no time in con-
structing another airship. A Gov
eminent check for $125,000 is on the
way to him and subscription lists are
being opened in the large cities to
raise funds for another airship.
When over Echterdingen Count
Zeppelin decided to land, and the
landing was effected easily and
smoothly, only one of the steel wire
stays being broken. The engineers
Immediately set about making repairs
to the balloon, which rode at anchor
in the centre of a large force of mill
tary which had been called out to
keep the crowds away.
Count Zeppelin telegraphed to
Friedrichshafen for more gas cylin-
ders and then went to an inn for
luncheon. He had not returned when,
at 2.30 o'clock, the wind suddenly
sprang up. Some Of the ~bystanders
remarked to the officers that a storm
was brewing and advised them to Sc
cure the airship, but their warning
was unheeded, and at 2.5S a formid-
able gust of wind struck the airship
broadside.
At first the craft heeled over and
then her bows rose in the air, carry
ing with them a number of soldiers
who were holding the ropes. After
posing for a moment at a height of
fifty feet the airship crashed to the
ground and the forward motor ex-
ploded. From the bows shot forth a
fame, while from the rear came thick
clouds of black smoke, shrouding the
entire str 'cture.
When t e air cleared the airshiE
was seen II ing in an open field on o
high plated with the aluminium en-.
velope in ragged, tangled strips. The
metal stays and bands and portions Of
the motors were strewn about, black.
ened and burned scraps.
officers rushed forward and found
that several soldiers had been hurt.
The four engineers who had occupied
IL Nold PAIIIOl LII VI ~ Va u
had escaped death, but were suffering
from injuries. They were taken to a
hospital. The men had tried when
the balloon broke away to couple up
the motors so as to ascend beyond
danger, but had failed.
Count Zeppelin was Immediately
sent for. Whenshe arrived and saw
the hopeless wreck he broke down.
His head was bent on his chest and
tears were streaming from his eyes
as he stood in an attitude of despair
in front of the shattered airship.
Then friends induced him to enter a
motor car and return to Stuttgart.
whence later he left by train for
Friedrichshafen.
Friedrichshafen.-Coun Zeppelin's
secretary said on the night following
the accident that the Count already
was preparing plans for another bal