The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-02
HUGE DIRlGIBLE is

Continued from Page One.I
back and shook the hand OF the cor
respondent.
Here's luck" were his farewell
words.
Expects to Arrive the Fourth.
Bound for America, the R-34 dis
appeared into the mist soon after leavL
ing the ground. Major Scott, cam
mander of the ship. said he expected
to reach Long Island Friday, the
Fourth of July.
Commander Landsdowne Will be
given the honor of steering the big
boat to its landing place at Hazel
hurst.
Final tests of the R-S4 were most
satisfactory.
Preparatory to sailing members of
ing, each man taking a complete
change. All of the officers carried
small suitcases.
Major Scott voiced the sentiments
of the crew when he said
Il haven the slightest doubt that
we will reach America"
Commander Landsdowne told the
correspondent the officers would take
turns steering.
when not working" he said, I'VE
can remain in the cockpit or upstairs
Deck Is Mile Long.
- Ther6 need De no lack OF pnysl
exercise. If We wish We can take CON
stitutionais up and down the deck,
which is nearly an eighth of mile
| long, or can climb the ladder to the
gun platform on top of the gas bag
where there is aNplace for t~o-tnch
| cannon"
wireless Operator Edwards said he
expected the ship would get into COM
I munication with Harbor Grace sta
ton at Newfoundland, the moment
the flight was started.
I'VE have a splendid wireless ca
pacity," he said. I'VE can commune
cate over a radius of about 100
miles. The antennae drop 400 feet
/ below the deck"
A British non-rigid machine es-
corted the RIA as far as Ireland.
| The flight is not regarded here as an
I confidence in the ability of the R-34
| to make the trip. There were no
serious minded farewells between the
! crew and those who saw them off and
the feeling among officers here might
| be expressed in the remarks of Col.
| Hunt, who said:
! You know, we always have a ladies'
night on Wednesdays. and have our
| friends out here. We just moved that
night up to Tuesday. and of course
the officers of the R-34 were there"
Sandy, the curly-haired puppy that
is the big dirigible's mascot, did not
| make the trip. He was left behing be-
cause his air legs are not good enough
for a long voyage. He always gets
lair sick, the men of the RIA ex-
planned.
Just after Major Scott climbed in
the cockpit Sandy was lifted to the
| window. The puppy grinned and
wagged goodbye.
Ready to Receive Big Ship.
Mineola. y. Y. July 2.-Lieutenant
Colonel Frederick Lucas, of the Royal
air force, one OF the advance party
here arranging for the reception OF the
| British dirigible now en- route to Long
| Island from Scotland, early today said
he was without advices as to the time
the giant airship might be expected
TO arrive. He was inclined to believe,
| however. that it would not be before
late Friday.
Everything is in readiness to receive
the craft at Roosevelt field No 4,
where she will be moored while watt
ing to put back Immediately to Eng
land.
Three special wireless stations con-
structed at the field in connection
| with the flight will be tuned up to
catch the first message from the diri.
gible. Officers expect communication
will be estab lished when she comes
within 500 miles of the coast. 1t is
expected the landing will not be made
until after dark in order to permit the
gas bag to cool and it's contents to
contract. thus decreasing the lifting
tendency of dirigible lightened by a
long flight. More than one thousand
members of special balloon companies
contributed by American army and
navy authorities will be on the field
to assist in making the giant air liner
fast to its moorings.
Lieutenant Colonel Lucas said that
in all probability the R-34 would re-
main here only six or eight hours be-
fore starting on its return trip. re-
quest from the navy department fer
the dirigible to fly over Philadelphia
Baltimore and Washington before
starting on its return journey. will be
transmitted by Lieutenant Colonel Luz
cas- to the commander of the craft
upon its arrival.
The reception to the crew Of the
R-34 when It arrives at Mineola will
include q luncheon at the Officers
club, at which prominent naval and
military officers and state and city
officials will be guests.
Await R-34 Message.
Washington, July Naval radio
: stations along the Atlantic coast from