Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1919-07-10
R-34 IS ON ITS WAY
BACK TO SCOTLAND
Great Dirigible Casts Off From
Mineola Few Minutes Before
Midnight.
PRESENTS BEAUTIFUL SIGHT
Craft Shows as Streak of Light in
Clouds When Lights Are
Switched On.
PRESENTS BEAUTIFUL SIGHT
INV Associated Prear-l-

M1NEOLA, y. Y. July o.--The Brit
ish diriSible R-34 left Roosevelt Field
shortly before midnight on her return
cruise to Scotland.
The great ship. held In leash by 1000
American balloon men. was released at
ll:55 o'clock, and f1oated ieisureiy up
motors silent. The motors then began
to whirr and the craft nosing up
ward. headed for New York
Three great searchlights playing on
the ship made her clearly discernibie
TO the thousands who had gathered TO
bid her bon voyage. With three en-
sines-port, starboard and forward
running. and two others in reserve,
the R-34 glided of toward the south,
then swinging In a westerly course.
bringing her nose in the direction OF
New York.
1t took the R-34 about three minutes
to rise to the height at which she
began cruising At 1859 she was
and with no lights visible. was skim
ming along at speed of about thirty
five. TO forty miles an hour.
VIII Employ but Three Engines.
Brigadier-Generaly Lionel Charlton.
British aviation attache in the United
States. said that the ship would en-
ploy only the three engines on which
sne started unless unexpected condi-
lions arose.
With favorable conditions. Major G.
Fl. Scott, her commander. hopes to
make the voyage in seventy hours
sailing oyer London before proceeding
conditions permit.
The great ship presented a beauti-
sky SKY; bathed in the white light Of
She nosed out OF Roosevelt Field the
moon appeared from behind, black
clouds. partially lighting up the dark
At 1901 lights along the deck of the
dirigible, which runs virtually the en-
tire length OF the envelope inside. were
switched on and the great ship herself
appeared long streak of light swim
ming In the radiance OF the search
Disappears mt Midnight.
Up to 1901 the R-34 had drifted side
wind. At this hour she aosed into the ne
wind. now sailing. at4abouts 500 feet. and
one minute later disappssred from the
Just 'I1Mos I1s oeioeE @han snssd ssi
rang aboard the Raj. signalling that
the hour OF departure was at hand. An
Officer ,.a,Sss on the ground with mesaphone
Major Scott. leaning out Of the port
window. forward. cried, Cast off,"
In statement tonight. Major G. H.
Scott, commander Of the dirigIbie. de
clared that he would fly over New York
and. IL favorable winds on the other
side offered. over London on his home
ward journey to East Fortune, Scot
land.
Il am going to follow the line of the
Southern steamship course" he said.
passing over New York before start
ing overseas. II the present weather
conditions continue, I expect to mako
the homeward trip in seventy hours.
and IL favorable winds should allow me
to fly. over the southern part of Eng
land. / expect to pass over London
before ,poceeding to East Fortune.
Scotland.
Hopes to Come Again.
The only thing am sorry abou. is
that have to leave here so soon. I'm
fortunately, l had only one night in
New York and would like to have
many more. All the sights have been
wonderful and I hope to come again.
Ia like TO take this opportunity TO say
that IL any American citizens come
to our country l hope I can repay the
hospitality they have SO lavishly be-
slowed upon me.
The climatic conditions over the
Atlantic are very bad for flying in
ships like the R-34. Although the
R-34 has more than justified our hopes.
transatlantic flying in the future must
be done in larger and faster ships,