New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1913-09-10
German Naval Zeppelin, Pride
Of Its Country, Caught in
Storm and Hurled Into
Water-0nIy 7 Saved.
KAISER WEEPS AT NEWS
Veteran Inventor in Despair at
Disaster to Splendid Craft
Built Only Last Year
Captain Dies, Refus-
ing To Be Rescued,

Berlin, Sept. 9--Consternation reigns
in Germany at the news that the splen-
did new German naval dirgible Zeppe-
lin LII, the pride Of the German navy,
which has only recently been completed
was wrecked this evening While flying
from the mainland toward the Island OF
Heligoand in a gale she fell into the
sea. and fifteen officers and men on
board lost their lives, including Captain
Netting. commander of the Marine
Airship Division; Captain Hanne, com
mander Of the wrecked airship. Baron
Won Maltzahn and other officers Of high
rank. It is understood that the naval
commission appointed to supervise the
trials was on board.
The dirigible was taking part in the
rnanpuvres Of the high sea feet In the
North Sea when she encountered
violent gale. As a result Of some clever
manuuvring it seemed likely that the
vessel would weather the storm but a
: Wild gust Of wind struck her with such
Q force amidships that she was hurled
TO the surface Of the sea. Here she was
almost al once broken in two and was
soon pounded to pieces. but only sank
after an hours struggle.
Torpedo boats were rushed to the
scene from Helgoland and 9 sIcceeded in
rescuing seven Of the airship's men.
Captain Hanne, commander of the
L. l.. refused 10 he rescued and went
down like a brave man with his be-
loved Girigible.
Kaiser at a Dance.
The news was Immediately tele-
phoned 10 the Kaiser in Salzbrunn, the
tidings reaching him during dan
which was being held at the conclusion
Of the days manpuyres. The dance
was at once suspended. The Kaiser
broke down in tears. and said he would
announce the news OF the terrible dis
aster to Count Zeppelin who is now in
Salzbrunn The usually stolid count
stated that the calamity struck despair
10 his heart. as the dirigible was the
finest in the world.
II is stated that the airship was at
an altitude Of between 1900 and 5000
feet. The cold atmosphere caused
heavy loss Of gas, and, as she was over
loaded, the airship had already become
urmanageable when the storm struck
in suddenly from the north. When the
crew saw danger approaching, a wire
less message was sent asking for hep
and Indicating the intention Of landing
on the water IN the lee Of Heligoland.
The torpedo boats which rushed to
the assistance Of the airship ob.erved
the signal east out entire water bal
last" The airship, however, failed TO
respond and fell swiftly to the sea.
Most of the officers remained in the
ca bins. not expecting a catastrophe,
and they were crushed under by the
weight Of the craft and were drowned.
Others in the gondolas. Jumped into
the water, and some II them were res
cued.
Speed Fifty-two Miles an Hour.
She was built only last year and had
a displacement of 22 tons, with motors
Of 80 horsepower and a speed Of -
miles hour. She was feet long
and fifty feet in diameter, with a
capacity of 10000 cubic feet The
vessel had IS gas chambers. and was
provided wit. three Maybach motors,
one motor in the forward gondola and
two motors in the after gondola. The