The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1911-11-05
GIANT D|R|G|BlE
ON TRIAL FLIGHT
Behaves We'll, but Is Brought
Down by Lack Of Stuff
cicnt Gas.
vANIMAN GREATLY PLEASED
Now Believes That Trip Across
Atlantic Ocean Is
Possible.

Atlantic CITY. y. j., November f.
LACK Of sufficient gas 10 keep the big
dirISiblo III the air brUugh TO "A sudden
end the trial Hight to-day of the airshIp
Akron. which is scheduled TO make an
attempt TO cross the Atlantic Ocean
from this city some time this month.
Tho big balloon landed on the meadows
seven miles from here. and had to be
towcd back. The balloon was only
Slightly damaged.
The airship lief, the hangar shortly
before 10 O'Clock and made Il spcctac-
uiar Hight along the beach. across the
city and over the meadows between here
and the mainland at Il height OF about
eco to 100 feet. II was up nearly two
hours. when the cold air began to affect
the gas, ana she failed To show prone,
buoyancy. Several landings were made
and finally the Akron could not rise
again 10 = sufficient height, and ASST
ance was sent for. The Federal life
savers went to tho rescue. and a num-
Der of other launches dragged the air
snip loose from the meadow grass and
towed her homo.
Melvin Naniman. head of the proposed
expedition to Europe, was not satisfied
with the gas supply when the start
was made to-day. but decided to take
d Chance 20 see how the ship would
act.
1t was wonderful the way that ship
behaved said Vaniman Tonight. My
crew behaved even better. The sue.
cess OF the light as far as il went was
largely due to their daring and skilful
manipulation of the various culip-
mcnt in their charge and good head
work when quick action was required
Tho flight was successful, and we were
sorry when 1t had To be abandoned
because OF the lack OF gas
we know now that "trip across the
the Atlantic is entirely possibS"
The big dirgiblc. which has been
specially built for q hight across the
Atlantic TO Europe, rose about 800
feet as it left the hangar and sailed
out over Absecon Inlet at the upper
end OF Atlantic City in "a northeasteriy
direction. Nanlman appeared to have
perfect control of the Akron.
For few minutes the great gas
bag circled around over the inlet. 1t
appeared to observers TO be travelling
at express train speed. After satisfy
ing himself that his machinery was
in good working order. Vaniman es-
sayed II dip" 1t was seen that he
had the same control that the operator
OF an aeroplane exercises.
AS soon as the balloon was over tho
water. Jack" Irwin, the wireless oper-
ator on board, dropped his ground wire
into the breakers and sent hig first
message 1t read:
It's cold. but things arc gong great"
Leaving the inlet. the airship shaped
her course down the beach, and after
sailing along smoothly at n height OF
about 800 feet for Il mile. Vaniman
turned the aircraft inland and doated
over the city.
Notice that Vaniman would make n
flight at the earliest possible moment
to-day had been announced las, eve.
ninG. and people began to gather nj
the hangar at daybreak. This crowd
grew to several thousand at $50, when
tho ascent was made.
Business IN Atlantic City was prac-
ucally Suspended while the craft was
In the air The siren OF nearby ice
plant announced the departure from
the hanger. and this brought every
enthusiasm as the Akron sailed maIes-
tcally over the high buildings. Whis-
Ties were blown and the crowds checred
Following the airship through the
streets were many automobiles. Van
imam was a the hangar tinkering at
the airsh;p before daylight. his crew
arrived at A NJ and prepared for
the start.
The morning was misty, and there
was some delay. Finally. shortly after
o'clock he held consultation with
the crew. Boys, If you are with me
I'll try H." said Vaniman. we arc
sure with you" came the reply In
chorus. and then the final preparations
were completed.
City firemen and policemen were
sent for TO help get the bulky air craft
out of the hangar, and when they ar
rived and each was instructed to hold
Tells Fnnc.iu,n k;uae TFav,v