New-York tribune., 1919-07-09
Sea Gale Holds
R.34 in Port
Till Tomorrow
Continued from page I

near by. Soldiers who have just re-
turned from the battlefelds OF Europe
were rushed across to Roosevelt Field
to aid in holding down the ship.
From / o'clock yesterday afternoon
&. coxswain had to remain in the navi-
eating cabin. constantly working the
elevating and steering rudders to keep
the ships nose down into the wind.
1t was learned that the water jacket
Of the engine in the wing car on the
port side Of the ship had been cracked
during the fight from Scotland. As a
result of this, water had gotten into
the engine and was causing trouble.
1t was necessary to take the engine
apart to effect repairs. Although it
was stated that it would take twenty
four hours to complete the repairs on
this engine, the work has so far ad-
vanced that it could be completed in
the air if necessary.
Coffee Cup Damaged Propeller
One of the minor accidents that oc-
Cured during the westward fight was
discovered yesterday. 1t was found
that a cup of coffee which fell out of
one of the two wing cars had struck
the propeller and slightly damaged it.
This discovery was made while the
men were at work vanishing the pro-
pellers. The trouble was quickly rene
died.
1t was learned to-day also that the
propellers of the two wing cars are
geared to their respective engines in
such manner that they can be re-
versed. In this manner the commander
is able to bring his saip to a rapid
stop if necessary.
Colonel William Hensley. jr.. U. s.
Army Air Service, the officer who will
make the return flight with the R-34
in place of Commander Lansdowne,
u. S. Navy, gave an estimate Of the
cost in fuel to bring the giant ship
across the Atlantic.
Roughly speaking" he said, taking
American prices, the gasolene would
cost about $4,000 and the lubrcating
oil S4O0. The hydrogen used in the en-
velope to lift the airship would cost
approximately $1,000.
"Iust now we are having very un-
usual weather conditions. In fact. !
would say existing weather conditions,
which occur just once year, are
about the worst that a dirigible Of the
type Of the R-34 could face
Muscle Better Than Cables
Major Frank NJ. Kennedy. OF the
Balloon Division, United States Air
Service, arrived at the field yesterday
with a dozen officers to make a study
of the dirigible. lie was keenly inter
ested in the manpuvrng Of the men at
the guy ropes. Regarding this, he said:
"The change in the method of handling
the R-34 from the twelve-anchor cables
to n-power probably will tend to
hold the dirigible more securely
There is more leverage from the guy
ropes than from the steel cables. and
in case of big blow she would not be
torn from her moorings as quickly un-
der present method"
There was another big crowd that re-
mained about Roosevelt Field at night
the giant cavorting about in
the wind. They were able TO get with
in 200 feet of the nose Of the airship,
much closer than was permitted on the
previous day, and they were able to
see clearly the crew at work about the
monster.
As on the previous days the roads
were black with automobiles and pedes-
trians hurrying back and forth.
Several hundred experienced officers
and men are within call in an emer-
gency at Hazelhurst and Mitchell Field,
and there are plenty of soldiers at
Camp Mills, who could be utilized in an
effort 70 keep the bag from blowing
away, should the men now assigned to
that work be unable to hold her.
Rent in Envelope Trivial
The rent which was torn in the for
ward end of the envelope on Monday
has not been repaired as yet. The
probability is that no attempt will be
made to do so, as il does not interfere
in any way with the efficiency of the
ship.
Throughout yesterday the work of
overhauling the engines continued un-
despite the heavy shak-
ing the ship got from the violent gusts
Of wind. All the valves were ground
and carbon removed from the cylinders.
When the R-3i leaves on her return
fight to Scotland she will carry mail
from officials of the Knights of Colum-
bus in this country TO William J. Null
ligan. chairman of the X. of &. activ-
ties in Paris. The letters are sent by
William p. Larkin, director of the X.
Of {. overseas activities; William +.
Fox. supreme director, and William J.
supreme secretary Of the
order. Major Scott is taking them in
return for the facilities rendered to his
crew by the workers.