The Yale expositor., 1910-10-21
WELLMAN OFF FOR
EUROPE IN BALLOON
SENDS A FEW WIRELESS MESS
AGES BACK ANNOUNCING MA
CHINERY is WORKING FINE.
LAST SEEN OFF SANDY HOOK AND
MAKING SLOW PROGRESS
ONLY rs MILES FIRST DAY.
There Are Six Men in Wellmsn's
Party and indications Are
Good for Fine Weather.

Walter Wellman, the newspaper
man and explorer, who. on July an
nounced that he would be the first
to attempt a fight to Europe in a
balloon, brought his long preparations
TO an end by arising at Saturday morn
ing at Atlantic City from the beach
in his dirigible America" with five
companions aboard. The thousand or
more men, women and children who
turned out to cheer and wave their
handkerchiefs as the gas bag took
the air, had been given TO understand
that this was TO be a try-out spin.
but once the bag had faded into the
fog wireless messages began TO come
back from Wellman that showed he
had headed for Europe.
After the America was swallowed
up in the fog the watchers heard
from the Brigantine Shoal life saving
station that the airshiD had passed
the station headed in an easterly
direction. This was the first intima-
ton gathered that the America really
was on her way TO Europe.
Throughout the afternoon al at
tempts to speak to the airship were
unsuccessful and nothing again was
heard until o'clock, when the steam
er Coamo, outward bound, reported
by United Wireless that she had
sighted the America south southeast
OF the Scotland lightship. The mes
sage indicated that the airship in 10
hours had covered only about 10 miles
OF her trip OF 5000 miles or more.
The first message TO arrive came
from an unknown steamer carrying
wireless which had picked up the
news from the America that she was
headed northeast. Bob Miller, the To-
cal wireless man. thereupon started
In to comb the sea with inquiries sent
TO passing vessels regarding the Am
erica and her crew. All day Miller
kept at It, but with little success ex-
cept around the noon hours.
Just before noon Miller gladdened
the throngs b. reading off a message
which had just come to him from the
America.
Still headed northeast" ran the
message, which was signed by Jack
Irwin. Have taken no observations
as yet. Fog lifting. May be able to
secure latitude and longitude within
an hour"
Just few minutes later came the
message which to Mrs. Wellman was
conclusive proof that her husband and
his party were headed for Europe
"All well on board" it read. Fog
lifting and every bit of machinery
working smoothly. America making
90 knots an hOur with course laid east
by northeast"
Half an hour later, at 1890 o'clock,
Miller received the following:
Still going TO sea. Forced to stop
motors to get wireless outfit in work
ing order Wireless now working per-
fectly and motors again started"
In the meantime a message had
been received from Wellman himself.
who at 1910 p. m. sent to Mrs Well
man the brief message:
"All we'll on board. Making excel
lent progress"
At ! o'clock came the first message
from Wellman to his hackers of
whom it has been Tumored during the
past few days they were disguised
with the many delays in starting and
were about to wash their hands Of the
venture. The message was directed
to Joseph w. Salus. who is head of
the syndicate backing Wellman on his
present trip.
"All did nobly," ran the message to
Mr. Salus. I'VE are doing our best
to repay your loyal support.
"WELLMAN,
Aboard the airship America"