Daily Kennebec journal., 1919-07-14
Safely in Airdrome

Lookouts took position in towers AMI
wireless operators prepared to pick up
messages from the airship. The sln
rose crjshtly but soon afterward was
cuscured by clouds. There was 10
WIND ana these on watch were confident
that the dirigible would arrve on time.
Shouts from those on the field greeted
the first sight of the long gray BODY
low on the horizon. AS the RIA ap-
preached the field she dropped from d
height of 5000 feet to 2C0o feet. The men
VINO were to aid the airship In landing
were ordered to their positions and
waited silently as the ship circled the
field. dropping lower and lower.
When Major G. H. Scott, her COM
rnander. had maneuvered the airshio
into position for the landing the water
ballast was thrown overheard to stea ly
her and a rope was thrown from the
bow. The rope was grasped by eager
hands and the giant ship moved gently
across the field to the shed, where the
delicate operation Of berthing her was
completed quickly without accident.
A military band stationed on the field
played THE Call of Duty" as the air.
ship began to settle. and then changed
to the strains of See, the Conquering
Hero Comes" as the ship was warped
into the shed the band played keen
the Home Fires Burning" The crowd
was toon intent on watching the ship
to notice the music. and the whirr of
the propellers made it inaudible to the
men in the R-34. -.
The tired, unshaven but smiling men
who composed her crew quickly climbed
from the gondola and were greeted
warmly and with many slaps on the
back by the officers and soldiers gath =
cred at the field.
"The voyage home has been without
incident. said Major Scott. I'VE want
breakfast
After breakfast and while enjoying
the telated luxury of his little black
pipe. smoking not being permitted on
the airship, Major Scott told the story
Of the return flight.
I'VE estimated we would make II in
from 20 to 80 hours" he said 1--WE made
i, in IS. When we left we had a strong
wind behind US and we covered the
first 500 miles in about eight hours.
When we 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 New
Found'and we encountered head winds
and our progress from then on was
slower. We travelled at an average
height of from 5000 to 5000 feet and
found much low clouds and fog. Once
We saw nothing but fog for "a hours.
"We struck Ireland at Clfden and
made good progress from there. al
though our stern engine broke down
Sunday morning. Although we started
with 1900 gallons of gasoline and had
1000 gallons left. we are naturally
pleased with the trip. all Of us. ex.
pect important changes in the size and
sreed Of future airships-big ships that
will travel 70 to so miles an hour and
powerful enough to crawl through any.
thing.
This has been great trip" said
Colonel w. N. Helnsley, Jr.. of the
United States army air service. as
he climbed out of the car and
shook hands with the British Off
GERS. 1--WE were lost one whole
day because the fog was so thick we
could not get shot at the SUM-
moon. stars or horizon. but We WORK
ed out of it and struck the irisn
coast. We passed over the Isle u
Man about three O'Clock TINS morn
ing and then. mounting apoVe tae
clouds, witnessed a most oeaut,rui
sight. Above was the bright moon:
below soft heecy clouds touched
WITH all the colors of the rainbow.
and far below occasionally could he
seen the dark. deep blue of the sea.
('continusd on Page +cel. o.