Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1910-10-19
STORY OF THE RESCUE.

AS was stated IN the Gazette, the
Americas crew was picked up in lati-
tude 35 degrees Is minutes north,
longitude 6S degrees l6 minutes west,
early yesterday morning. Out Of the
night, like star rising from the sea
attached to dark, mysterious body,
the airship America carrying Walter
Wellman and five companions, APP
peared to the northeast of the royal
mail steamer Trent at 5:07 o'clock yes
terday morning.
Chief Officer Lainson first sighted
her several minutes before it became
plain that it really was dirigible and
in distress. A light began to move
and then came the message in the
Morse code:
Stand by. / am in need of you. b"
Capt. G. Downs, commanding the
Trent, ordered the course changed. The
wireless on the airship sent requests
for boat. By this time dawn was
breaking and the Trent's 200 passen-
gers lIOul Ouud anu iSi hiuua nSiO vi
deck in scant attire.
1t was a sight never to be forgotten
by them. Just ahead OF the ship the
America was floating 800 feet above the
sea, her anchor dragging with motor
silent and ruddels still, So near was
she that the passengers could easily see
the airship's crew among the ma
chinery, under which hung life
boat.
As the Trent drew nearer one OF the
arship's crew tore hole in the canvas
compartment near the stern and drop
ped line to the water.
Captain Downs stopped the Trent
close to the airship as it was safe to go,
but repeatedly as the airship was reach
ed a strong wind lew her away. The
sea was comparatively calm, but the
wind blew in uncertain gusts. Finally,
the Trent came directly under the
Americas stern, but the rope dropped
down was not considered safe to hold
her, and again the airship was blown
away.
No more effort was made by the air
ships crew to save their balloon or the
wireless instruments in their lifeboat.
The America was near enough for
her engines to be plainly heard on the
Trent. and Wellman asked the captain
to stand by to pick up himself and
crew. They would take TO the boats, he
said. The America came lower and
lower. and when within two feet Of the
water the ropes we're cut and the aero
nauts dropped to the sea. Lifebelts
we're thrown from the steamer and
boats were ready TO be lowered, but the
Americas lifeboat was quickly righted
and towed to the Trent. AS she came
Iaiongside the passengers cheered loudly.
Again they cheered each man as he
climbed from the lifeboat to the deck
and was instantly surrounded by the
eager passengers.
The members OF the rescued crew
were placed in the hands OF DIR. j. G.
Mccormick, OF the Trent. Wellman's
little finger was lacerated by the rope
thrown from the ship and others had
cuts and burns.
Entry on Purser Newman's passenger
book, the first OF the kind on record,
reads:
Transferred from the airship Ameri-
ca Murray Simon, navigator; Walter
Wellman, aeronaut; Melvin Vaniman,
engineer; Frederick Aubert mechanic;
Lewis Loud, mechanic; Jack Irwin,
wireless operator.
As soon as Wellman's crew received
proper attention they we're led 20 the
saloon diniDg-room for breakfast aud
once more we're loudly cheered. After
the meal the Trent's officers and pas
sengers supplied several Of the rescued
men with clothing and each became a
a hero. Wherever they stood young
women eagerly sought souvenirs and
got pieces Of wireless. cigarettes and au-
tographs.
As soon as the Americas liieboat
was hoisted on deck the forward
compartment was opened and the
voyagers got the Americas cat. She
scratched and cried loudly but was pet
ted by all the passengers and had many
pictures taken.
When the boat left the airship the
America shot up in the air and drifted
rapidly to the west,