The Brunswick news. [volume] (Brunswick, Ga.) 1906-2016, 1910-10-16
WALT. WELLMAN
BEGINS JOURNEY
OVER ATLANTIC
GREAT AiRSHiP AMERICA SCARS
EASTWARD WHILE THOUSANDS
CHEER.


Return Unless Forced to Do So ev
an Accident.
Ns&tlantic City, N. j., Oct. 15.-With
thousands of amazed people looking
on the airship America, which Wal
ter Wellman, the journalist, has pre-
pared for a flight across the Allan
tic ocean, started seaward at 8
O'Clock this morning, and a cheer
that was heard for many miles
around bade the daring aerial navi-
gators bon voyage as tGe huge bird
scared aloft and began the eastward
fight.
Two minutes after the start the
America had disappeared in the
dense fog banks, and the vessels
outward progress was only made
known by occasional blasts from wa
ter craft of every kind A slight
wind blowing from the west increas-
ed the speed of the balloon. and the
flight was much faster than was an
ticipated
Headed for England.
This trip was merely scheduled as
trial, but a statement of Chief
Engineer Melvin Vaniman, I'VE
won't be hack until we have had a
try at Europe" is believed to mean
that the America will not return I'M
less some accident befalls the ship
or adverse winds force a return.
The dense fog and light wind from
the west made conditions perfect,
and the balloon was out of sight al
most Immediately. Thousands on the
beach and board walks were wrought
up to a high pitch when the balloon
disappeared, and the wireless oper-
ators on the piers were besieged with
queries as to progress of the yes
sci. The stations were literally
stormed by tie intensely excited peo-
pie.
The Daring Crew.
Aboard the America are the follow
ing daring men: Walter Wellman.
noted for his attempt to reach the
north pole by balloon; Melvin Vani-
man, chief engineer; F. Jurray Sim
mons, navigator; J, X. Irwin, wire
less operator; Albert Louis Loud and
John A. III ert, assistant engineers.
The men are equipped with a supply
of canned food which will last
month.
Dimensions of Airship.
The airship's gas bag is cigar-shap-
ed and is about 228 feet long and 50
feet wide. The car under the bag
is 156 feet long and carries three
gasoline engines. Beneath the car is
life boat u feet long, and the yes
sci carries 5000 pounds of gasoline.
Ttiat Wellman and his companions
Will make a desperate effort to reach
the English coast is foregone con-
clusion. In the first place, they have
been very serious regarding their
undertaking. and their ambition has
cen spurred by criticism and Jokes
with reference to their proposed trip.
w'lich have appeared in all the lead
ing newspapers of the east Well |
man, furthermore, wishes to make |
good because of his failure to reach |
the north pole.
Wireless Message Received
Just few minutes after II |
O'Clock the first wireless from the
America signed by Irwin. was receiv- /
: III 1t said: Headed northwest: all +
Well on board: machinery working !
fine; goodbye"
Going 20 Knots an Hour.
The wireless at noon brought the
news that the official start for Ell-
rope had been made. The America
at the time was making 30 knots an
hour, and her course was east by /
northeast. The report said the ma
chlnery was working smoothly
The first message from Wellman
and his crew to local men backing
the enterprise, arrived at p. m,
being directed to Joseph w. Salus.
president of the syndicate supporting
the project. 1t says: "W. s.: All
did nobly. Doing our best to repay
your loyal support Wellman."
Given God-Speed.
In reply, the following message
was flashed to all ships in this zone,
with the request that they pick up
the America as soon as possible: !
Walter Wellman, aboard ship Amer
ica Great work; one of the century, }
plaudits from every ody Our best |
wishes and God-speed to yourself and |
Vaniman. With your family and |
will stay with them until hear that
YOU have reached Europe. Please
continue to flash. Joseph Salus'
Hurricane After WetIman.
Word has been received from the
weather bureau that West Indian