New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1910-10-18
UNABLE TO GET WELLNAN
Transatlantic Liners Have Not
Received a Word.
MAY BE SAVING JUICE"
Many Theories Advanced Why
Aeronaut Has Not Commui-
Gated with Land.

Siasconset, Mass, Oct. 17.-Ffve west
bound Atlantic liners. all in touch with
one another and all anxious for news of
Walter WeIlman. who is attempting TO
cross the Atlantic in the airship America.
reported to the wireless station here at
various intervals to-day that they had
seen nothing and heard nothing, either
: directly or indirectly. of the dirigible
airship and her crew of six-seven, if the
mascot kitten is counted.
The first ship 10 call the operator con-
stantly on duty here was the Finland,
then 10 miles east OF Nantucket. at
300 this morning. Then came in success
sion the Main. for Philadelphia; the
Ryndam. the Niagara and finally the
Kronprinz Wilhelm. for New York. Not
a word had they heard.
All five ships had sent out the prear-
ranged call W. at frequent intervals.
but no word out of the silence had come
back to any Of them. They had fol-
lowed the regular westbound lane for
transatlantic travel. and. taking into the
reckoning their distances from one an
other, their wireless zone covered an
area which they thought should have
included Wellman if he was able TO
reply.
The Finland reported that it ran into
a heavy storm early Sunday evening.
with vivid lightning and rain At D. m.
however, the weather cleared and a light
northerly breeze set in Since then the
weather has been fine and clear. with a
smooth sea.
Just before the America drifted out Of
touch with the world her wireless Oper-
ator warned the station here that Juice
was precious" The gasolene motors
were not then running, and he was de
pending for his sending spark on the re-
serve supply in the storage batteries
If the America were still running before
the wind with power shut off, it was
therefore thought here to-day that she
might be outstanding her strength for
a crucial need. unwilling 10 expend IL in
gossip. however interesting 10 those
ashore.
All the stations in this chain and all
vessels reporting to them tell of heavy
rains and a violent electrical storm on
Sunday evening. followed by continuing
fine weather and a calm sea.
Washington. Oct 1T-Walter WeIlrnan
and the balloon America now are in po-
sition an undetermined distance off the
eastern coast and south of the North At
lantic steamer lanes. in which cOmmunica-
ton with steamships is unlikely
This is the opinion OF officials Of the
United States Weather Bureau tonight.
who determined after an analysis Of wealth
er conditions in the North Atlantic. that the
giant balloon had been forced south OF the
steamship route by the northwesterly winds
which have prevailed over that territory
for several days.
For the next two days. at least in the
region now being traversed by Wellman
and his crew. the weather officials give
suranceS of continued fair weather. which
should be ideal 10 further the progress of
the America toward European shores.
The forecast of the North Atlantic
steamer route includes moderate westerly
winds and fair skies to prevail for several
days to come. These conditions probably
will not vary much from those of the days
just passed
Besides the effects Of the prevalent
winds. which the weather officials took
into consideration in reaching a conclu-
sion that the balloon had drifted south OF
the steamer route. they also took cogni-
zance Of the fact that no tidngs Of the air
navigators had been received by ocean
steamships
1t is the belief OF the Weather Bureau
STAFF that the balloon is safe. but it has
drifted too far from the steamer route for
the wireless equipment of the airship 10
carry messages Of reinsurance to passing
craft.
Halifax Oct. l7.-North Atlantic wire
less stations we're alert all day in the hope