The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-10-20

ready to launch as we will probaoly capsize when we launch our boat"
 Trent-O. K; boat manned"
 Trent-Are we gaining on you?
 America-Yes; we are getting ready to launch. .~ ft sA
 America-Don't stop. We will drop sea anchor and try to check our ship.
 America-We have a motor going above me Can't hear your signals now VIII say when I can. We are pumping air into airship ready to bring her down to level
 Trent-we are going full speed waiting for your orders.
 America-we are going launch boat Stand by to pick us up.
 Difficulty In Rescue
 This ended the exchange of wireless
 Al this time" said Captain Down of the Trent, i've were in speaking distance of the America She was only 12 feet above our forestays and moving about iz knots an hour We kept beneath her with e fro eAt in the aff currents and at first we were compelled to go full speed astern so as not to hit her"
 .Then,' said Captain Down, the crew of the airship began trailing wire ropes Ianison, our chief officer, grapped one and held on until the skin was rubbed off his hands and he was lifted from his feet and nearly dragged overheard. After half an hour of this we decided that this method of rescue was hopless and much too risky. So Wellman asked ms to keep close while he and his crew let down their life boat, saying he trusted to us to pick them up. We got two boats ready and stationed men along the sldes with life buoys. l called All ready, and | ,tI,, Inwarad his airShin until the llte boat suspended underneath was within six feet of the water. The trailer, com posed of tanks of gasoline and weighing 5000 pounds, was the great danger anu after the boat was launched this struck her and stove hole in the side about six inches in diameter, put apoVe tne water line.
 "When Wellman dropped his lifeboat 1t struck the sea broadside but quickly righted itself I went full speed ahead and had considerable difficulty in DICK ing up the boat. MT. Wellman injured | his hand in trying to catch one or the ropes. Last of the America "The last I saw of the America she was | 15 or 20 miles away with one end In the water. Her valves had been opened and she undoubtedly sank soon. dragged down | by her heavy machinery.
 | "Wellman and his crew came aboard. and after baths, dry clothes and good breakfast appeared none the worse TOT 1 their experience. Wellman told me thai when he abandoned the America he had enough gasoline to keep going about 24 | hours"
 Before he landed Wellman said:
 '.The America was in as perfect condi' tion when we left her as when we started from Atlantic City"
 This refers, generally speaking, to tho engines.
 The Trent carried 151 first cabin pas sengers, most of whom had been making a pleasure trip to Bermuda. The majorit, | of them clad in night clothes over whicf overcoats and kimonos had been nastiil l thrown, watched the rescue. Last nish | the passengers assembled in the main sa' loon and heard a brief talk by Weil man, who could not express too mucf praise for the courage and loyalty or hi' I crew.
 His five companions spoke just as en Enthusiastically of their commander. Ine, declared they were willing to go witt him again whenever he equipped anotne expedition Engineer Vaniman was tn' only member of the crew that seemed ex hausted by the strain of the long high and the rescue While the others asked for food, Vaniman wanted nothing but cabin and a berth, but after short sleel he seemed completely recovered.
 I'm not at all sorry the airship go away" said vaniman tonight. Tt was il such shape from wear and tear that i was useless. If it had got loose on lan' it might have done some damage
 Jack Irwin's Story
 According to Jack Irwin, the wfreles operator, the Americas crew had but tw' regular meals after they left <Atlanti City. These consisted of ham and egg cooked over gasoline. The rest of tn time each man picked up handful O food whenever opportunity offered. IT. win figures that the America sailed abou S7O miles. from Atlantic City to poin off Nantucket, N5 miles, from Nantucke