Perth Amboy evening news., 1910-10-15
Long Delayed Start Was
Made at Atlantic City
This Morning.
SOON LOST IN FOG
Big Dirigible Disappeared
from vieW--Yacht That Ac-
companied 1t Returned.
WIRELESS MESSAGES
PropeIlers We're Working
Sadly But Expected TO
Repair Them Soon.

Special by United Press Wire.
Atlantic City, Oct 1g:-Walter
Wellman, newspaper man and ex-
plorer, and Melvin Vaniman, the no.
ted engineer, with a crew of six and
a wireless operator, started today
In the dirigible balloon, America"
for trip across the Atlantic. Well
man has been promising the flight
for many weeks. Having been dis
appointed so many times, there were
only few people on hand to wit
ness the start.
The news soon spread, however,
and a large crowd gathered, but
dense fog hid the balloon, tn last
glimpse of the big air craft was had
by the crew of the yacht "Oliver,"
belonging to Colonel Thomas Pot
ter, one of the Wellman hackers.
The yacht followed Wellman to sea.
When the vessel returned it report
ed that the propellers of the balloon
were not working properly, but that
attempts were being made to fix
them.
Those aboard the America" are
Wellman, chief of the expedition;
Melvin Vaniman, chief engineer; ].
X Irwin, wireless operator, who
will flash messages to passing
steamships; Albert Loub and John
Aubert, assistant engineers Jean
Jacon, the French motor expert, was
the only member of the crew that
failed to appear. He declared last
night that there were financial diff
culties between Wellman and him
self.
The fog lifted shortly after 10
o'clock, but nothing could be seen
Of the America The wireless
operator of the million-dollar pier
had spoken to several vessels here in
this city, but secured no informa-
tion as to the Americas where
abouts. An unsigned wireless dis
patch was picked up shortly after 10
O'Clock, saying that the balloon
America" had passed Brigantine
Shoals, ten miles north of this city.
Get First Message.
At 11:05 o'clock the first wireless
dispatch was received from Well
mans balloon America" 1t read:
Headed northeast. All well aboard
Machinery working fine. Goodbye"
Weather conditions were almost
perfect this morning when Vaniman
awoke the members of the crew. He
telephoned to Wellman's hotel and
told him the crew was ready to start.
The big dirigible was taken from It's
shed at o'clock and was floating In
the fog when Wellman arrived. When
the aeronaut-explorer got aboard he
said he would probably make trial
flight. Nothing doing" said Vani-
man. "We have delayed too much
already. It's Europe or bust, now"
The police and fire department aid
ed in getting the craft from it's. shed
All the members of the crew, includ-
ing Wellman, wore khaki aviation
costumes.
1t was reported here that the bal
loon America" was sighted off Long
Island by passing steamer shortly
before noon, which communicated
with the wireless station here.
Mrs. Wellman and her two daughters
have taken up their station at the wire
less office on the million dollar pier
where they anxiously await every flash
of news from the "America. At
noon the crowds about the station be-
came SO great that the doors were lock-
cd
From messages received it was evi-
don't that every vessel within radius
of 200 miles carrying wireless had pick
ed up messages from the "America. "
Captains of craft which have run out of
the receiving zone are bombarding the
local station for news.
Wireless to Joseph SaIus.
A wireless message from Wellman
and his crew to Joseph Salus, presi-
dent of the syndicate which support
ed the project, was received this af-
ternoon. 1t read: All did nobly.
We are doing our best to repay your
loyal support"
In reply Salus sent the following
wireless: "To Walter Wellman aboard
air ship america" Great work. One
of the achievements of the century
Plaudits from everybody. Our best
wishes and God speed to yourself and
Vaniman. Am with your family and
win stay with them until we hear that
you have reached Europe. Pleace con-
tinue TO fash. (Signed) Joseph Sa
lus.