The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-06-05
4 REAL AIR SNIP.
COUNT ZEPPELIN BREAKS ALL
RECORDS FOR DIRIGIBLE
t1 CRAFT.
German Aeronaut Performs Most Re.
marksble Feat Of Career, Sailing
Distance OF 40s Miles.

Berlin. May 30.--Count Zeppelin,
whose remarkable performances In
his frst airship brought unbounded
honors to the inventor. today accom-
plished the most startling feat In his,
career. He guided his Zephelin II
from Federichshafen to Bitterfeld, a
distance OF more than ass miles.
without landing. The journey lasted
nearly "a hours and 30 far as known
tonight Count Zeppelin Is still In tn.
air. on the return Journey to Frede-
richshafen. He has already beaten
all records for dirisible balloons.
II was announced that the count
would coma to Berlin and land at the
Tcmplehof parade ground. Hundreds
OF thousands gathered there this af-
ternoon. The emperor and empress.
several Of the princes and the leading
military of''ciais and officers were
present and towards evening search
lights were set to work. In anticipa-
tisn OF the approach Of the airship.
Soldiers kept an enormous space
clear. until half past 10 o'clock at
night, when It was learned the air
ship was returning to rrerichshafen.
which caused intense disappointment.
Count Zeppelin. who personally
was IN charge Of the airship and
whose hand was on the tiller during
the sreater part of the journey. had
kept secret his intention to undertake
an endurance trip.
II was, however. common knowl
edge that he proposed on the first ia
vorable opportunity to sail to Berlin In
his new craft. zephelin II. built to re-
place the ore destroyed last year.
The voyage began under rather un-
favorable conditions. There was a
lowering sky. rain clouds. and a
strong wind when the airship left the
hoeting hall shortly after o O'Clock
last night. The residents did not pay
much attention to this. as they were
accustomed TO night flights. and when
tho great ship took the air at s:42
there was not a cheer to speed her
on her way The ship ascended d.
rectly for few hundred feet and
passing over the town OF Friedrich
shafen. proceeded northward.
Early In the morning the people Of
Treuchtlinsen. small city In GEN.
tral Bavaria, were awakened by the
noise OF the propellers of the craft
which was passing slowly at low al
titude. The count here dropped out
. card. divulsins his intention to pro-
ceed farther north. His arrival an
hour and q half later at Nuremberg
caused the greatest surprise to thou
sand Of pleasure-seekers preparing
for holiday excursions.
The ship manoeuvred over the city,
and a card was thrown out. statina
that a great amount Of water and
bsnzine had been used and that the
craft would descend at Lake Dutzen-
teich to replenish the water supply.
This. however. was not DONE
Count Zeppelin continued towards
Berlin. passing over several towns at
q low altitude. amid the cheers Of
the populace. until he reached the
frontiers OF saxony. where the air
ship was headed straight for Leipsic.
Indications were that II would make
a landing there and the entire popu-
hce waited for several hours In the
streets and open spaces to greet him.
Instead OF landing. the count put his
craft through series OF manoeuvres.
coming at times close to the tops OF
buildings. He then went on, crossin z
Halle. to Bitterfield. Then to every
tody's surprise, the airship turned
again and sailed to the south.
Meantime the military authorities
ct Berlin were without advices as to
the counts plans. The local author
tiles learned OF the airship's approach
and so Informed the emperor and
princes. Orders were given to pre-
pare a space in the Templeholf field.
Virtually the entire population of the
capital swarmed thither and waited
on tip-toe of expectation until long
after dark. Then the depressing
news came OF the airship's return.
The crowd at first refused to believe
II. but finally dispersed.