The sun., 1919-07-09
R-34 MAY LEAVE
AT DAWN TO-DAY
Commander Refuses to Make
Definite Prophecy; Work
Nearly Done.
MEMS SINEWS STRAINED
Army of Workers Holding the
Ship Struggle as She Tugs
on Ropes.

Neither wind nor water. northeaster
nor Atlantic, stopped the great British
dirigible R-34 on her flight to this coun-
try. although the battle between the ele-
ments and the airship's crew lasted four
days and twelve hours but the wind and
the Atlantic are not yet beaten. They
are holding the great airship powerless
at Mineola. unable to start the return
trip. Perverse winds which should be
blowing eastward at sea by all the rules
Of meteorology are whistling down the
coast in a southwesterly and westward
direction.
Meanwhile the same unreasonable
winds, which are most unusual not only
for their direction but for their long
duration, are making exceedingly dim
cult and hazardous the position Of the
R-34 at Roosevelt Field. where she Is
awaiting. unsheltered by shed or
hangar, an opportunity to get home.
Another postponement of the return
voyage was announced yesterday by
Lieut.-Col Frederick Lucas, leader Of
the party Of preparation, after consul
tation with Major @. H. Scott. COM
mander Of the ship; Brig.-Gen. e. NJ.
Maitland, representative on board OF
the British Air Ministry. and other offi-
GERS. The R-34 win not rise from Roose-
welt Field before dawn to-day to hover
for a time over New York city and then
! put out to sea on her long night to the
British Ises
Gives Up ProphesyinS.
When questioned about the probable
time of starting yesterday evening Lieut.
Col. Lucas finally and firmly resigned az
prophet of the expedition. With a ges-
ture of eternal reputation he exclaimed
| Il can't tell--it simply cannot be done.
1 tried to predict her arrival and missed
It by two days. Her departure is equally
uncertain. The ship Is practically ready
now, but It may stay one hour longer or
forty y-eight on account OF the weather"
1t was originally planned that the
R-34, which arrived Sunday. two days
! behind schedule. would leave within
seven or eight hours on the return trip
! This was because of the danger OF
! leaving the big ship at anchor for any
| time without a shed or hangar to shield
her. There is in this country now nc
building big enough to accommodate the
| great bulk OF the R-34. But a delay
! was necessary for the gale fogs. and
generally poor weather which had buf-
feted the R-S4 on her way had made
/ engine repairs necessity. Then the
winds about faced and prepared TO fight
the R-34 on her homeward journey
which, It was anticipated. would be
made in seventy hours instead OF 206
with friendly wind behind her,
(, Despite Col Lucas's decision to re-
fuse 10 tempt the weather to further
Irregularities by endeAvoring to predict
the R-3fs flying time. II now seemi
probable that she will start from Roose
welt field on the long nomeward voyag,
some time after sunset tonight. The
ship must start in the dark because
she then can set off with full supply
OF hydrogen unexpanded by the hea'
OF the sun On her way ac, oss the
Atlantic she was compelled, by thf
circle of hot days and cool nights, tc
lose half her hydrogen. To prevent be
coming too heavy for her load of thirty,
one men. engines, and fuel, she mus
be we'll hlled at the start.
VIII Loom Big Over City.
No matter what the time of the start
however. Major Scott had promised tha
the R-34 will come to New York to CIV,
the city a glimpse Of something higher
than the Woolworth Tower and nearl,
as bulky. When she does come Il will
require no great strength OF eyes L
Gee her. for she will loom lmpreAsivei,
even against the vast sxpanse OF sky.
Some hope OF better things In tn,
future IL held out TO the officers ant
Continued on Fifth Pdpe
HARTsHORSE. FALEs q CO.. Member
n. 7, Stock Exchange. II BrSAdway.-Asv