The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-07

AIineola. n. Y. July Not in the
mere record OF miles covered is to be
found the real romance of the R-34's
aerial voyage to America The full
story of this great adventure, this
gamble against the elements is rivaled
only thru the human incidents of the
trip. chronicled in the form of a log
by Brig. Gen. Edward NJ. Maitland,
official observer for the British air
ministry.
This story-a Jules Verne tale come
true-was written while the giant diri-
gible was leaving the ground at East
Fortune, while II was passing out of
sight of land, while it was battling its
way across the Atlantic and eluding
electrical storms in the northland;
while IL was slipping down the shore
line of Long Island to the anchorage
at Mineola.
1t is an intensely human story, set
down in simple. unaffected style. But
il is doubtful if the greatest master of
English could paint more vivid pic
ture.
In it is described the feelings of men
starting on a great adventure-cheer-
fully confident in the face of a hun
dred dangers. In It Is described the
courage of red-blooded men fighting
their way thru an ocean of cloud and
fog. In it is described a resolute dar-
ing of men calculating coolly just how
much fuel. already greatly shortened,
they could expend in lodging tempests
which might dash them to destruction
In 1t is described the fighting spirit
of aerial Adventures combating to the
last a situation which might force
them to call for assistance. But moth
ing is to be found in the log of the
great joy that must have surged up in
every mans heart when they dropped
anchor victoriouS-safe at the end of
3.600-mile voyage.
jazz With Breakfast.
when flying at night there is al
ways a feeling of loneliness on leav-
ing the ground" reads an entry made
after the airship had taken the air,
but it is followed almost Immediately
In the air, which ends:
In the adjoining compartment the
graphophone was entertaining the
crew with the latest jazz tune"
Next comes an account of sleeping
in hammocks aboard a service airship
with a word of caution for the unwary
sleeper.
There is only a thin outer cover of
fabric on the underside of the keel on
each side of the walking way and the
luckless individual who slips out of
his hammock would, in all probability
break right thru and soon find him
self in the Atlantic"
Repairs With Chewing Gum.
There follows a series of word pic
lures of cloud formations, showing
that as in the case of Alcock and
Brown, the RIA was at times float
ing between two layers; of wireless
messages breaking thru these cloud
banks to bring cheer to the adven-
turers; of meals cooked over exhaust
pipes and engine repairs made with
chewing gum: of the discovery of
feline stowaway smuggled aboard by
superstitious member of the crew
and then the sighting of ice fields and
Newfoundland, with terse observations
on aerial navigation.
Instead of finding expressed at this
point exuberance of captain and crew
it is remarked that the airmen think
they would like to stop at Newfound-
land and Nova Scotia some time for
shooting and fishing, as the forests
and lakes viewed from the air hold
promise of much game and fish. Then
comes more anxious entry:
THE petrol question is becoming
decidedly serious"
And again: ts.s-
For some little time past there has
been distinct evidences of electrical
disturbances"
Then comes a description of two
thunder storms successfully evaded-
"set down quite simply as they oc-
CURED and more or less in the form
d
promised at the head of his log.
Text of the Log.
The story told in the log as recorded
by General Maitland follows:
Distances covered were as follows
East Fortune to Trinity Bay, Newfound-
t Ia Se 2o Tor sea 6 mcs Trinity Bay n F.
log. follows:
"one-forty-two n. m. Wednesday, July
R-.S4 slowly han
OF the landing party and was completely
swallowed up in the low-lying clouds at
possibly on account of the darkness there
is always a feeling of loneliness immedf-
illness on this occas sion VAS acceptusteS bv
the faint cheers of the landing party, COM
ing upwards thru the mist after all signs
OF the earth had disappeared.
The airship rose rapidly 1,5O0 feet at
which height she emerged from the low
Firth OF Forth toward Edinburgh
"A few minutes after > O'Clock the lights
OF Kosyth showed up thru break in the
correct allowance had been made for the
Iorce ana direction of the wind. which was
twenty mics per hour from the east.
an airship sets out on a long distance voy--
age carrying her maximum allowance of
petrol. she can only rise to a limited height
at the outset without throwing some OF If
overheard rs ballast and that as the air
ship proceeds on her voyage she can. If so
inc petrol Is consumed by the engine
An airship Of this type. when most Of
OF about 1900 feet
Most Anxious Period
FOR this reason, the next few hours
were one Of the most anxious periods
during The flight for Major Scott. the
captain of the ship. who. owing 10 the
large amount of petrol carried, (4.9oO gal.
Ions weighing 1873 tons) had to keep the
time pass over northern Scotland, where
feet. ''"OO
Owing TO the stormy nature OF the
morning. the air at 1900 feet-the height
at which the airship was traveling--was
most disturbed and 'bumpy' due 10 The
wind being broken up by the mountains
TO the north causing violent wind currents
ana air pockets (The most disturbed
conditions were met in the mouth of
the Clyde, south Of Loeb Lomond. which
surrounded by high mountains, looked mar.
particularly beautiful in the gray dawn
4.rFra--