The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-02

300 Miles OF England at IL m.
London, July IA. PD-Maj.
Scott, the commander, in his wireless
dispatch, said the dirigible at that
time was making thirty-two knots
an hour in a thick fog-at s am,
New York time. The position of the
R-S4 at IL o'clock, Greenwich time,
was approximately 300 miles west of
Pentzance, Eng indicatin0 the big
airship had travelled in a southwest
erly direction along the coast of Ire
land since she made her previous
report at O'Clock, Greenwich time.
Woman Presented U. S. Flag.
East Fortune, July IA. P)-
The British dirigible R-34 started on
her long heralded trip to America
this morning with very little more
of ceremony than that which at
tended the departure Of .dirigibles for
their monotonous North sea patrol
during the war.
Shortly before the first streaks of
dawn broke over the plains near here
tho great airship was quietly taken
out OF its airdrome and turned around
until her nose was pointed straight
west The command hands off" was
given and the huge envelope quickly
arose. Before the height OF 500 feet
was reached she was lost to view in
the mist.
Not more than = score of people
motorcd the twenty one miles from
Edinburgh to the airdrome here to
witness the start, among them was
one American woman who presented
q. silk American flag to Lieutenant
Commander Zachary LandSdowne, T..
S. n, just before he stepped into
the Gondola.
Given Enthusiastic Send-off.
The giant dirigible was given an
enthusiastic send off when she rose
from the East Fortune flying field
and headed westward towards the
sea. The motors were working per-
fectly and all on board were confident
of a successful voyage. The airmen
were hopeful that they would arrive
in time to take part in the Fourth
of July celebration in New York City
on Friday night,
Mai. Cooke, the navigator, planned
to make most of the trip at a low
altitude in order to make observa-
tions easier and to keep in direct
touch with the steamships passing
beneath.
Weather conditions were excellent
when the historic fight was started
and the indications were for fair
weather off the coast. The R-34 had
already proved her mettle by the
1000 mile flight above the Baltic
when she rode through storms that
caused keen inconvenience to ships
upon the sea.
Careful Preparations.
Careful preparations had been
made and the greater part of Tues
day had been given over to careful
inspection of the mechanism of the
balloon. Every test known to aero
nautical science was given to the
dirigible to insure the utmost safety.
An immense supply of petrol was
taken on board as precaution in
case the airship was blown out of
her course and would have to travel
greater distance than the schedule
called for
Before the R-34 set out her wire
less equipment was overhauled and
the original apparatus was removed
and a long-range plant installed.
The new wireless has an mile
range. An electrical heating appa-
ratus has been installed also so that
the men can do their own cooking on
board.
The officers and crew were equipped
with special suits of clothing to keep
out the intense cold. The suits were
fitted for a para chute attachment.
Nine officers Aboard.
In addition to Mai. Scott and Lieu
tenant Commander Lansdowne, U. S.
n. the following additional officers
are included In the R-34's crew:
Lieut.. Durant wireless operator;
Capt. .Coomhs. of the British navy;
Capt. Greenland first officer: Lieut..
Shotter, engineer officer; Mai Cooke,
navigator; Col. Hunt and Mai, Pritch-
ard.
Her history making flight appar-
emily is being made in as prosaic a
fashion as that Of any modern ocean
liner. Her crew of twenty-three men,
Inc I'D ing Lieutenant Commander
Lansdowne, of the United States
navy, are as comfortably housed in
their gondolas as the officers of any
of the big Cunarders except that their
freedom of movement is more re-
strained. In the early hours of her
flight the dirigible apparently Is en-
countering no trouble at all. and none
is anticipated while she is passing
through the fog bank.
Losing Race With Sun.
In her westerly flight from East
Fortune this morning the big airship
engaged In a losing race with the
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