The Wheeling intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1903-1961, 1919-07-14

back by the officers and soldiers gather
cd on the field.
The voyage homo has been without
incident. Major Scott said. we want
breakfast"
After breakfast and while enjoying
the bclated luxury Of his little piacK
pipe. smoking not being PERMITTED on
the airship Major Scott told the story
Of the return flight.
we estimated VIC would make It in
from 70 TO so hours" he saidI we
made il in 75 When VIC left we had
strong wind behind us and We covered
the first 500 miles in about y hours
When VIC circled over New York we
could plainly see the crowds on Broad
way waving to US as we passed, but We
could not hear them because OF tHe
noise Of the engines.
South of Newfoundland we encount-
cred head winds and our progress rom
then on was slower. We Travelled at
an average height Of from $1,000 TO 81
600 feet, and found much low clouds
and fog. Once we saw nothing but fog
for "a hours.
We struck Ireland at Cltrden and
made GOOD progress from there
although cur steering engine broke
down Saturday morning. We stared
with 1900 gallons Of gasoline and hao
.n0n left.
We are naturally pleased with tho
trip. all Of us. l expect important
changes in the size and speed OF future
airships-big ships that will travel 10
10 50 miles an hour and powerful
enough to crawl through anything.
Eenslsy's story.
This has been a great trip. SAID
Colon.l w. y. Henslcy, Jr.. OF the UNI
ted States army al: service, as ne
climbed out of the car and shook hands
with the British officers. We were
lost one whole day because the fog was
so thick we could not get shot at the
sun. moon. stars or horizon, but we
worked out of II and struck the 1rlSh
coast We passed over the Isle or Man
about 5 o'clock this morning and 'hcn,
mounting ahov. the clouds. witnessed
a most beautiful sight. Above was the
bright moon; below soft heecy clouoS
touched with all the colors OF the ram
bow and far down below occasionally
could be seen the dark. deep blue or the
sea But VIC did not have time 70 ao-
miro the beauty OF the scene.
we soon passed over Liverpool ano
we arc. We suffered no hardships ana
no inconvcnicnces except that We had
no hot watcr for shaving. Our eggs
were cooked in the exhaust Of the en-
gincs and We had plenty Of other gooo
food and coffecI tea and cocoa to drink.
No one suffered from air sickness ana
while the sea below was tossed by
forty mile gale VIC were moving along
IN comfort on an even keel.
Regular airship service between
Europe and America is bound to come
soon"
Greeted BY Friends.
The members OF the crew were eager
'lv surrounded by friends who were
waiting at the airdome. George Ora
ham. tn chief engineer. proudly carried
his pet kitten which which was born at
Fast Fortune. The kitten suffered no
inconvenience during he trip and mani
tested its delight on reaching lana
again by jumping on the backs or us
mast.r's friends.
We were never out Of touch with the
world although VIC met lot OF rog.
said Lieutenant r. d. Durrant- the
wireless officer 1T was hot in New
York. cold in the middle Atlantic, and
! YOU sec what il is here. We signalleo
two ships, the Cumberland and one go
ing 10 Mexico. When they asked US VINO
we were VIC said that We were a Brit
ish airship from New York to England.
Their wireless operators expressed sur
prise. They had been Mt sea some time
and did not know about US.
Brigadicr General f. VI. Maitland. the
! representative Of the air ministry %
! the R-34. who kept the log Of the voy-
a &C. said
we were sent by :he air ministry to
demonstrate that airships can do a long
sea voyage, with the ultimate view or
! their commcrcial use later Airsnips
undoubtedly will be used in the future
over sea and over land. They will not
conflict in any way with the airplanc n
: seaplane. but all will work together.
The airship will go rn long voyages.
while the other flers will radiate FOR
! short distances from the airshtp ter
minal.
Our reception in America was extra
! ordinary. The people there. impressed
with our voyage fully realize the COM
mercial possibility OF the big airship. II
! was a wondcrful sight as we passed
over the great electric signs in New
York"
Grew Disappointed.
The members OF the crew OF the R-S4
were disappointed because they were
| not able TO land at East Fortune. where
most Of them have their homes. They
! were taken in charge by the officers at
Pulham and provided with clothing. as
they had nothing but their flying clothes
on the ship. All were glad to get back,
but said they were anxious to make sn-