The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-07-08
Ground Crews Lifted.

At times during Monday the ground
crews swinging to hand lines from the
ship were lifted bodily as the wind blew
the ship about. At no time. however.
did the R-34 get beyond the control OF
her human anchors.
Last night, in event OF any emer-
gency which might require their pres
ence, 500 men in khaki were held in
reserve, The ship itself remained Sc
curely anchored and ONLY a man or two
camp buildings the balloon boys were
prepared TO run to the rescue should
an alarm be sounded.
Brig, Gen. Lionel Charlton, British
attache in the United States, yesterday
afternoon conducted Mrs. Francis B..
daughters Of President Wilson; MI,
Sayre and Mrs. Archie Miller, wife OF
Gel Miller, commandant Of Hazelhurst
field. through the RIA They spent
nearly three-Quarters Of an hour IN
ne ship
the dirigible because the swaying of
the giant craft In the wind made IT
impracticable and Mai G. II Scott, the
commander, was anxious that there
should he as little interference as pos
sible with the mechanics who were at
work ovcrhauling the engines and
equipment in the limited space OF her
four cars, .
r'p to the hour Of postponement of
the fight, preparations had been under
way to have the ship loaded TO ca
pacity by midnight, but these prepare
lions were abandoned Immediately II
became certain that there was no pos
Sibility that the engines could be over
After the engines have been over
hauled today the fuel, water ballast
aud hydrogen will be taken on, weather
conditions here permitting. and the sup
is expected TO be in readiness by night
full Tuesday for an early getaway
Wednesday.
Early Start Needed.
The early starting hour is necessary,
Mai. Scott said, because before sunrise
the temperature Is not so high as to
affect the petrol supply. By starting
before sunrise, Maj. Scott explalhsN,
he would be enabled to take on 1900
gallons OF fuel. mot enough 70. play
about with" he added, but a sufficient
supply to last throughout the cruise,
providing favorable westerly winds were
encountered along the merchaht snip
trade route which he plans TO follow
Before the dirigihle's officers decide
to venture eastward "Wednesday. the
New England, Canadian n Noya
Scotia coasts win be scanned carefully
Army and navy officials who are
handling the dlt1gihle while she IL
here received a temporary scare short
~ after 10 o'clock last night when tho
stern started to settle. Quick action on
the part OF an army balloon officer
who sordered a man to climb into the
ear and allow several tons OF water
ballast at the stern to escape, pre-
vented any damage TO the craft. with
the release OF the water the stern rose
into the air and soon assumed a cor
rect posture.
Save for the substitution OF Col VIM
N. Hensley, Jr,, Of the aviation sec
lion Of the American army, for Lieut..
Commander Zachary ~Lansdowne, o.
the American naval aviation service
Mai. Scott said he expected TO return
with the same crew and passengers
that he brought to this country. How
ever, he was undecided whether W. w
Ballantine, a former member Of tn,
crew, who slowed away on the west
bound trip, would be allowed to max,
the return journey. Ballantinc worked
as a member of the crew on the way
over and has been assisting with th'
preparations for the return, Col
Hensley is going on a special mission
Of the balloon and airship division o
the air service, which is "inauguratinl
an ambitious dirigible program II,
plans to visit England, France, Ital,
and Germany before he returns home