The San Francisco call., 1910-09-15
MONSTER DIRIGIBLE
DESTROYED BY FIRE
Gasoline Explosion Starts Dis
astrOus Blaze on Big Zep=
peIin Balloon
Several WOrkmen Burned When
Giant Air Craft Is Com
sumed by Flames

BADEN BADEN. Germany, Sept. IA
The latest product of Count Zeppe-
Inns inventive genius met with disas-
ter today when the dirigible balloon
Zeppelin VI took fire after an ex-
plosion while being warped into it's
shed
A force Of men were engaged in the
task of housing the airship when a
benzine tank in the rear gondola ex-
ploded, setting fire to an adjacent gas
compartment. The explosion of this
compartment was followed by the ex-
plosion of the 16 others. There was a
gush of flames and the whole structure
was destroyed in a few minutes
Nothing remained of Count Yep
mass of aluminium frames
WoRKSIEN BURNED
The shed also caught fire, but the
blaze was put out without serious
damage. Several workmen were
burned, but none fatally.
The igniting of the benzine occurred
while workmen were cleaning the ma
chinery, during which the benzine
holders were open. The cause of the
fire has not been ascertained
The Zeppelin VI, during the last IS
days, had made "a passenger trips COW
ering about 1000 miles and carrying
more than 800 passeng gers. The flights
OF the dirigible were. made regularly,
often in unfavorable weather
Many Americans were among the ex-
cursfonists. Baron Rudolph Gold
schmidt-Rothschild had chartered the
alrship for the use of a private party
next Friday. He had to pay $500 for
the nrst two hours Of the excursion
anG $3.50 for each additional hour.
Inc Zeppelin /, after making an
endurance fight that astonfshed the
world was torn from it's moorings bv
the wind and thrashed itself to pieces
during thunder storm The Zeppelin
Al was destroyed by gale at Limburg-
an-der-Lahn on April % last Zeppe-
IN III made bad landing and was,
seriously damaged at Mergentheim.
The Deutschland came to grief in Teu-
toburger forest on June 2S last.
The measurements of the ZenneIin
VI were --''
Length, 472 feet: width. - feet; gas
capacity. 10000 cubic yards. It's three
motors had a total or 400 horsepower.
expended in four propellers and giving
< a speed OF IS miles an hour.
AirsIIipS in Maneuvers
GRAND VILLIEREs, France. Sent IA
President Fallieres. accompanied by
the president elect of Brazil. Marshal
Hermos Fonseca, Premier BRAND and
foreign military attaches. witnessed
the operation of the dirigible balloons
and aeroplaaes in the army maneuvers
today
Three dirigibles and six aeronlanes
including those manned by the re-
servists, Latham and Paulhan. took
prominent part in the operation.
Aeroplanes from each side recon-
noitered along the front for 20 miles.
making reports of the positions of the
various units OF the generals com
handing. Thus far the aeroplanes have
given better results than the dirigfbles
which, on Monday and Tuesday. were
prevented from leaving their stations
by high winds
Army officers are enthusiastic over
the accuracy of the aeroplane recon
nolssances. General Picuuart. com
handing the Second corps, and General
Meunier, commanding the Third corns.
each morning before o'clock are in
possession OF an accurate description
OF the location and movements of each
others forces.
Meunier today completely outgener-
alled Plcquart, succeeding in turning
the latter's position