South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-07-10
ALL IS WELL
MESSAGE OF
RIA AT SEA
Giant Aircraft Many Miles
From US. Speeds for Goal
at so Miles an Hour.
By United Press :

BV uiteu ETeSss
MINEOLA. l.. l., July 1O.-The
British dirigible R-34 which left on
her return voyage TO England at
midnight, was about 500 miles out
at .7:1O this morning, New York
time.
A message from the airship re-
ceived at the naval radio station
here at that hour gave her position
as 4O.15 north latitude and $3.50
west longitude. That would locate
her at point about $50 miles south
west of Sydney, y. s., and 500 di
rectly east of Mineola.
Shortly after the R-34's getaway
she reported a speed of 55 miles an
hour. Her location at lilo d. m.
Greenwich time (7:10 "A. m, New
York time) indicated her speed had
been increased TO about 60 miles
an hour.
The decision 10 start last night in
stead OF waiting until o'clock
this morning-as announced yester-
day afternoon-was reached by Ma
jor G.. II. Scott, commander. at
1915 p. m. II was occasioned by
receipt of an official weather bureau
bulletin urging haste because of the
approach Of a storm. BY IL O'Clock
the officers and crew had donned
their flying clothes of sheepskin and
everything was in readiness. Brig
Gen. Maitland, the only one of the
British officers absent from Roose-
welt field, was hastily summoned by
telephone.
Carries Sack of Mail.
A % lb. sack of mail was placed
aboard Maitland had come aboard
at 1880 and Lieut. J. J. Quinn. in
charge of the departure. gave the
signal TO the 500 men clinging to
the guy ropes and gondolas 10
swing her around 10 head into the
wind. The big airship was slowly
turned until she pointed directly to-
ward New York City. At 11:4O "all
clear" was signalled and the hydro
gen gas. which had been flowing
into the ballonettes through a ten
inch hose. was cut off. At 1855
bells tinkled throughout the length
of the craft. Then-'Let go!" The
R-34's last tie 10 American soil was
severed and she rose 10 a height Of
about 25 feet, hesitated. then rose
again TO full 500 feet The engines
were started and she moved maies-
tically toward Manhattan.
1000 Feet Over Brooklyn.
When the airship passed over
Brooklyn at a height of about 1900
feet she was picked out OF the dark
ness by a number OF searchlights
from the Sperry building. An in
stant later the lights from the
Brooklyn navy yard added to the
white glare on her under body. The
/ R-34 passed over the Brooklyn and
I Manhattan bridges. Then she turned
I 20 the left and passed over Broad
way giving thousands of persons in
the heart of the theater and cafe
district a thrill. She proceeded as
| far as Times Square. then turned
about in a graceful circle and head
/ ed southeastward.
At 1880 the dirigible passed over
Roosevelt field and put out 10 sea,
As she flew over the field her wire
/ less rasped out "alIs we'll"
About an hour after the R-34 had
disappeared from view she sent the
| following message "All o. X. on
! board Bound for England"
At 2:2O a. m, she reported
/ Course 90 true. Speed 40 knots
(about 55 miles an hour. Coins
we'll"
Seventy Hours for Trip.
The R-34 will take the so called
/ southern route" on her return &c
East Fortune. Scotland. The tota
distance is about $500 miles. 2.s0C
OF which will be over open sea. With
the wind aiding instead of retard
ing the craft. Scott hoped 10 com.
pletc the voyage in 20 hours.
In her westward fight the RS
required los hours and 10 minute,
20 make the $500 miles. 1900 O.
which were over open sea.
Colonel William II. Hensley re
placed Lieut.. Commander Zachar,
J Iansdowne as American observe
on the R-34- His wife and 10 YEA
old son William II. Hensley. Jr
. viewed the departure from the roo
OF a New York hotel.