Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-15
STARTS FOR EUROPE {?
The Big Dirigible Balloon America"
Carrying Crew Of six. Said to Have
HAff Atlantic City for Europe.


IWellman, explorer and author, and
Melvin Vaniman, the noted engineer,
with a crew of six, including Marconi
wireless operator, started today in an
attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean.
Wellman has been threatening the
flight for many weeks, but the crowd
had lost patience and there we're only a
few persons on hand when the big diri-
gibIe was brought out OF the hangar,
and after stop for adjustment OF in
struments, was released.
The sky was overcast and there was
dense fog which made it hard to fol-
low the dirigible after it got into the
air. Before starting Wellman said
that he did not know whether he would
try to sail across the ocean or just
make a trial fight. After he got into
the air, a heavy wind took the big
dirigible and swept it seward with the
propellers moving at top speed. Well
man signalled that he would consider
that the European trip had been started
as the big machine disappeared in the
fog.
Whether Wellman is really on his
way to Europe or making q trial trip
is probIematical. He declared that II
conditions we're satisfactory after a
short fight be would head straight for
Europe. The flight was started at
SOB a. m.
Those aboard the America when it
rose from the ground we're Walter
WelIman, head OF the expedition; Mel
vim Vaniman, chief engineer; Murray
Simons, former junior officer OF the
steamship Oceanic and navigator OF the
flight; ]. X. Irwin, wireless operator,
who will fash messages to passing
steamships; Albert L. Loud and John
Aubert, assistant engineers. Jean
Jacon, the French motor expert, was
the only member of the crew who
failed to appear. He declared last
night that there were financial diff
culties between the head Of the expe-
dition and himself
The fog lifted at 10 O'Clock but no
discovery has been made Of the Ameri-
ca, which on starting early this morn
ing, pointed directly to sea. The wire
less operator on the Million Dollar
Pier has spoken several vessels above
and below this city, but thus far has
been unable TO secure any information
as to the whereabouts Of the America.
An unsigned wireless dispatch just
picked up says that the balloon America
with the Wellman party on board has
passed Bringantine Shoals, ten miles
north OF this city
II is reported here that the America
was sighted off Long Island by a
steamer, which communicated with the
wireless station here at II O'Clock.
A message from Wellman and his
crew directed to Joseph w. Salus, presi-
dent OF the syndicate which supported
the project, received O'Clock this
afternoon read:
IAN did nobly. We are doing our
best to repay your loyal support. "
In reply Salus sent the following
wireless: To Walter Wellman,
aboard the airship America.
Great work. One Of the achieve
ments OF the century. Plaudits from
everybody. Our best wishes and God
speed to yourself aud Vaniman. And
with your family and will stay with
them until We hear that you have
reached Europe. Please continue to
flash. JOSEPH SALUs.
At 11:05 the first wireless dispatch
from the American was received here.
1t read
Headed northeast All well on
board. Machinery working fine. Good
bye.
A second wireless from the America,
received at the local station shortly
before noon through vessel between
the airship and the shore, while not
entirely plain, was TO the effect that
Wellman and his crew had decided to
make the flight to Europe. The mes
sage added: I'VE are headed due
northeast, but have taken no obserya-
ton and will not know our exact loca-
ion until SOON"
A message from Wellman to his
wife, received at noon, stated that he
had started for Europe; that the
America is making twenty knots an
hour over a course laid east by north
east. The message concluded: All
we'll on board. Fog lifting at eleven
fifteen and every bit of machinery
working smoothly"
A wireless message, timed 1910 p.
M, signed Wellman, received at the
pier station here, read:
"All well on board. Making excel
lent progress. "
At half past twelve a message from
Operator Irwin on the America, said:
Still going to sea. Were forced to
stop motors to get wireless outfit in
working order. Now able to work wire
lessand motors again started. "
New York, Oct. 15.-The United
Wireless this afternoon gave out the
following messages received from the
America, WelIman's dirigibIe balloon:
Started 8 a. IN. Good start. Every
thing working well. All happy. II a.
m. ]. Irwin, 0pr."
lilo a. m. Fresh north winds
Fog still thick. Irwin"
"11:15 a. IN. Sun coming out.
Clear. Eight tanks above sea. Irwin. "
"11:20 a. IN. Going east-northeast
Everything excellent condition. Max
ing 20 knots an hour"
The eight tanks above sea" mes
sage is believed to refer to the fact that
eight OF the tanks in the mammoth