The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1912-07-03
KILLED
(continusd Prom Yirss parsJ

city and after completing a few other
movements. shaped the ships course
out 10 sea
When a half mile or Brigantine
beach. the thousands OF spectators
who had been watching the ship. saw
a burst or flames outlined against the
morning sky. In few seconds they
were Mortified 10 see the car OF the
balloon detach itself from the bag
and shoot downward into the water
followed by the collapsed gas bag.
by intuition everybody appeared to
have realized what had occurred and
fishermen and yachtmen who were
oui In the little boats watching the
ship. Immediately started to the res.
cue. When the first boat reached the
scene of the wreck. the rescuers
found only the collapsed gas bag and
after a search submerged body.
which proved 10 be that of the young
er Naniman was recovered. Among
the first on the scene were the federal
life savers. stationed in Atlantic City.
Divers went down to the wreck but
there was little that could be done
until low tide when Gest's body was
disentangled from the wreckage and
brought TO shore.
Wife Witnessed TRAGEDY.
Mrs. Vaniman saw the collapse OF
the balloon and it's drop into the
ocean. carrying with IL her husband
and brother-in-law. She fell I'm n faint
and was unconscious for some time
The wives OF Bourillion. Gest and
Elmer. who lived nearby. also saw
the disaster from their homes. Neigh
bors tenderly cared for them and
later they went over to the Vaniman
cottage where most distressing
scene followed Men turned away as
the four windows wept on one an.
others shoulders.
There are many theories as TO the
cause OF the disaster. One is that air
got into the gas bag. Another that the
rays or the morning sun expanded the
gas and caused the great envelope TO
burst A third was that flames some
how reached the gasoline and o fourth
theory advanced was that a stray rome
caught in one OF the propellers. that
II was whipped around and striking
the gas bag tore a hole in IL letting
out the gas.
Balloon Cost Half Million.
II burst near the middle. mass
OF flames hid the ship from view for
a space of possibly ten seconds. The
half million dollar dirigible was IN.
visible. while the air about the spo,
where she had been lowering seemed
10 be all flames. The fire dissipated.
and then the ships outline against
the sunrise was seen TO fall like a
plummet First the understrIcture or
car. In which were penned the unfor-
tunate men. held in by meshwork
Puf on after the second trip OF the
balloon three weeks ago. unable TO
escape. broke away from the envelope
IL up-ended. the bow turning first in
slow arc. Then il reversed sud
denly. and plunged downward. III
rStly above. twisting in long spiral.
was the gas bag. a smoking mass OF
rubber and silk. with flames shooting
out from dozen sections as il col
lapsed. II fluttered a momen, and
then streaked down after the car.
All Badly mansIed.
In the descent something which ap-
peared 10 he the body Of a man shot
out 10 the left of the wrecKage. and
hit the water before the rest OF the
descending mass. IL was reported
that this was the headless body OF
Calvin Naniman. At $40 n. m. a
message was relayed ashore from the
rescuers that this body had been re
covered.
Thousands Gather.
Thousands OF persons from every
part OF the resort gathered aionc the
inlet. broad walk and about the Want
man cottage. tist across from tho
hangar Al the inlet. where Mrs YAM
man collapsed and was unconscious
from the shock a physician was I'm
attendance The greatest excitement,
prevailed for a time Boats were dart
ing ont from rho inie, am az .,on >
The shores OF the thoroughfare and
beach. Police reserves. who belpad 10
launch the craft. which sailed along
gracefully utnil the accident occurred
kept fhe crowds from about the Want
man villa
Hundreds ~ persons who expected
the flight saw the Akron come ont Of
The hangar for The last time. The CD
Grafton was a simple ono. and the big
bag was brought out without difficulty
Once clear ~ the shed. Vaniman
rmped into the car ~ tho shin. whore
his other four men had already gone.
and he gave the word 10 let 20" In
SANITY the ship rose. slowly az ira,
and swayinC from end 10 end Then
she rose rapidly. Naniman appeared
70 have complete control and after
circling about over tho inlet and on
The mainland. tho ships nose vns
pointed ont 10 sea. The manoorivrings
~ The great aircraft constantly ~.
fracfed additional people. and mo M
per end 81 tho beach and broad walk
were crowded with people when the
disaster occurred
Eyewitness Talks.
An eyewitness 4 Tho disaster toff
fhie story ~ p.hat he saw.
When about one thousand fes.4 IN
Tho air. ! saw q sudden puff ~ smoke
from The forward end ~ Tho great ras
baR IN minute 90 exploded.
ITO those Who have Witnessed the
many fighfe OF Faniman. this ono
seemed a. me start more succeasfuI
than any yet attempted Tho crew
seemed ~ have bottor control than
over before. Starting out from tho
hangar. he ship rose slowly from Tho
ground. and passed easily out over
me water 81 tho inlet. grazing the
masts Of the feet ~ yachts anchored
there
"Vanlman and hfa ~re- ~ora