The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1910-10-18
WELL.MAN FLYING
ACROSS ATLANTIC
STARTS FROM ATLANTIC CITY IN
BALLOON "AMERICA."
First Wireless Message From Airship
At Sea.-Crew of Four Accom-
panies Daring Aeronaut

Atlantic City, n. j., October Is
Sailing into a. thick fog that hung low
over the Atlantic ocean early today,
Walter Wellman, with crew Of i've
men, is tonight believed to be on an
epoch-making voyage to Europe in the
huge cigarshaped airship "America "
Starting from the beach near TIE in
let few minutes after 8 o'clock this
morning, the big air craft was soon
out of sight Of the cheering crowd.
Since then no one, with the exception
of ships at sea, has seen the strange
craft, and the only word from her
came by means of the wireless tele-
graph.
Numerous messages were received
during the day, and the latest indicat-
ed that Wellman is tonight easily sail
ing northeastward off the Long Island
shore. The ship, according to this
last word from her adventurous crew,
has set a northeasterly course, with
the intention of getting into the north
eern lane of Transatlantic liners.
Wellman and His Crew.
The men who are making aeronau~
tic history in the first over-ocean
fight of, an airship are: Walter Well
man, commander; Melvin Vaniman,
chief engineer, and next in command;
F. Murray Simmons, navigator; J. K.
Irwin wireless operator; John Aubert
and Albert Louis Loud, assistant en-
gineers.
The start of the America" was
one of the most dramatic events that
has ever occurred in this care-free
resort of frequent sensations. Round
ly criticised by people, who did not
believe that he would ever undertake
what was thought to be a foolhardy
venture, Wellman startled the whole
island by bringing the America" out
of the hangar and without any cere-
money going into the air.
It was about a. N. today that the
final decision to go up was made by
Chief Engineer Vaniman. All night
ne watched the weather and as the
dawn approached he decided that now
was the time. Rousing the other
members of the crew, who slept in
the hangar, Vaniman called Wellman
and notified hi mthat the timeto start
had arrived.
Prepart For Departure.
Fairly jumping into his khaki uni
form, Wellman summoned the mem
bers of his family and soon was on
the way to the inlet in an automobile.
The great gas bag was warped out of
the shed, the greatest care being TAX
en- not to rip the heavy silken bag.
Finally it was out, and Simmons in a
5oatswain's chair, ascended to the top
OF the huge bag and released the re-
naming lashings and then came
down.
With everything ready for the word
~slet's co." the crew climbed up and
into the car hanging from the balloon.
The final good byes" were said to
wives, other elatives and friends and
the last word to the men on the
ground was given. The great craft
gave lurch, all the ropes and cables
became taut and the ship rose, slowly
at first and then more rapidly, as it
ascended higher and encountered the
gentle breeze from the west.
Cheers From Crowd.
On the board walk and beach were
assembled a crowd estimated at about
1000. The crowd stood in awe as the
America majestically continued to
rise and sail into the thick fog. Then
cheer after cheer followed when they
saw the craft begin to disappear in
the mist. within FIVE minutes the
ship was out Of sight Those Of the
crowd who remembered that the
America carried a wireless tele-
graph outfit, rushed from the board
walk to the million dollar pier for
news Of the balloon.
Robert Miller, the wireless operator,
stationed there, was early on hand in
expectation of flight and got ready
to '*pick up" the ship. Miller kept
"calling" Operator Irwin constantly,
and it was not until 11O5 a. m. that
there was any response. Then came
this message, the first ever sent from
an airship at sea:
Wireless From Balloon.
<'Headed northeast. All we'll on