Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-07-31
THE SENSATIONAL RAID
OF A GERMAN ZEPPELIN
ON THE BRITISH COAST

ASSOCIATED Press Correspondence
Berllny July 10.-A writer in the
Cologne Gazette gives a description
of raid by Zeppelin on the British
coast. He says:
1T was barely growing dusk when
Lieut.. Commander ", in command
of L IL. stands for Luftschiff.
airship), received an order to cruise
| on the morrow in a northwesterly d.
rection in the latitude of Terschelling
He gave the necessary orders. and
next morning. early, entered the
hangar. The crew of two deck Of
ficers and twelve nom commissioned
officers, was already at work with a
group of men under the orders of the
officer of the guard.
1.-THE Lieutenant looked to see that
| everything was in order. Sailors in
the gondolas tested the motors, their
looks betraying their love for the en-
gines under their care. One of the
officers satisfied himself that the sup
ply Of petrol was complete, while the
other superintended the carriage OF
bombs and incendiary missiles into
the gondolas.
THE skipper climbed in and after a
brief inspection, expressed his satis-
faction with a nod, and then descend
ed to the ground.
There was silence in the great hall.
The men who hold down the vessel
were in their places. The crew were
at their stations.
1.-The officer in charge reported all
in order to the skipper. who called
out instructions to discharge the
water ballast. There was rush of
water, and the vessel gradually rose
above her props apd floated.
THE captain paced her whole
length, scanning her with careful eye.
Then he climbed into the front gon-
dola and ordered her to be taken out.
The lieutenant repeated the order
'Airship Forward and the men with
the mooring ropes toWed her into the
open. A gust of wind outside caused
her to sway. She tugged at her
mooring ropes like an impatient steed
champing at it's bit
"A cry Of Attention long shrill
blast from the boatswain's whistle,
the last ropes were dropped, and al
most simultaneously the englne-room
telegraph signaled motors full speed
ahead
with noise like thunder the pro-
pellers sprang into life. the vessel
shot forward and upwards.
"The forward gondola resembled
nothing so much as the bridge of
warship, and as in the chart-house or
cruiser, so the skipper now pent
over his maps.
THE ship in its ascent soon
cleaved her way through banks OF
clouds. The sun shining through
them upon the sea facilitated steer
ing. With his eyes upon the shadow
sof the vessel and a piece of wood
hanging loose at the end OF string,
The skipper was able to reckon his
Speed and the strength OF the wlnd.
II the weather is dull and the alrsnlp
h above open water, only practice and
shamanlike instinct can help. the
commander to a knowledge OF his
nosition. He must also reckon not
Only with the prevailing wind but
with threatening changes. A strong
CURRENT from the direction OF nome
might make his return very diincult.
"Ahis time, however, the vessel ad-
vanded in a straight line to the north
westl A number Of fishing vessels
couH be seen at sea. all flying the
DutSh flag, but the skipper thought
his bwn thoughts. He knows that
British fishermen even close under
their own coasts now seldom fly any
thing but the Dutch colors.
"Hy three P. NJ. his. mission was at
an ehd. He had received odrers to be
back at the hangar before dusk. but
the weather being SO favorable, he
telegtaphically asked permission to
act On his own initiative, and profit
by tie favorable opportunity Agreed
was Ahe reply.
Continuing his flight to the north
west he determined to deliver blow
against the English coast. 1t was yet
twiliRjht when he approached England
and Assembled to a height Of 1900
meters in order to keep out of sight
of the watchful eyes on board Eng
lands Tuardships. Through a rift in