The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-07
GIANT DIRIGIRLE
TO START RETURN
TRIP TOMORROW
R-34 VIII Take Southern
Course on Way Back.
Leave at Middle Atlantic Port
Directly for Spain.
MAY MAKE FLIGHT IN U. S.
Plans Trip Over Several Large
Eastern Cities.
Made Landing at Mineola I'm.
der Own Power.

Mineola. y. ", July Major c. II.
Scott, commander OF the R-s4, an-
nounced definitely at noon that the
big dirigible wo,Nd start on its return
journey to Scotland at o'clock to-
morrow morning. flying over Boston.
The R-S4 will not circle New York
before turning east. he said.
Major Scott announced later that an
effort would be made to shape the
R-34s course so that 1t would pass
over the George Washington, which is
bringing President Wilson home.
Mineola, y. Y, July 7.-on her re-
turn trip to her home in Scotland, the
British dirigfble R-34 viii take the
southern course, leaving the United
States at some middle Atlantic port
and heading directly for Spain. This
announcement and the further state
ment that the giant airship would
leave her anchorage at Roosevelt field
here at o'clock tomorrow (Tuesday)
morning on her homeward flight
were definitely decided upon last
night by Maj. C. II. Scott, commander
of the dirigible.
I May Make Flight in United States.
At n conference with Lieut.. Col.
Frederick Lucas OF the Royal air
forces advance party, and Brig. Gen.
Edward NJ. Mainland, the iffcial lob
: server, at noon today the request Of
/ the United Safes navy department.
{ that the R-34 make flight over New
( York City, Phfadelphi0, Baltimore.
I and Washington was to be consid-
! cred. IL weather conditions are IA
vorable, it is expected these cities.
and possibly other cities of the middle
Atlantic section. may get glimpse OF
the giant airship. rt
In order to relieve the four hundred
soldiers of the Seventh United states
balloon company. who were strainiHg
at the anchor ropes of the H-34 dur
ing an electrical and wind storm last
night. the big bag was raised to OH
viate the danger of damage from wind.
During this operation n rope releasing
water ballast from an aft compart-
ment was released by accident and
the rear of the bag shot up into tho
air to an altitude of somc 400 feet.
while her nose was only 200 feet above
! the field. The R-34 remained in this
/ position thruout the night and caused
! Major Scott to return to the field early
today to distribute the water ballast in
I the bag to bring her TO an even keel
again. Adjustments Of the water had
to be accomplished before the heat Of
/ the sun caused tho gas in the bag to
! expand.
! Didn't Get Weather Reports.
Members of the crew explained that
the failure of the R-34 to receive
proper weather reports caused her TO
get into two storms off Newfoundland.
The weather reports picked UP were
from the vicinity of the Azores islands,
while those from the north Atlantic
region were very meager. With re-
ports telling of the storm area some
200 miles north by northeast OF New
/ foundland. the RIA, 1t was said.
would have altered her course to north
of the circle OF wind and proceeded
over northern Newfoundland and the
Nova Scotia coast and thereby would
have avoided the storm between New
foundland and .iova Scotia.
A weather report received at the
field from Washington early today
| said:
THE weather will become clear by
Monday morning and remain clear
during succeeding 4s hours. Wind
will be west and northwest, steady and
viii not exceed twenty miles per
hour. Advise probable time of return
trip so that forecast can be made ac-
cordingly."
All persons other than those on duty
in the immediate vicinity of the R-34
were ordered from the field about .
O'Clock last night and a guard was
set about the air monster. Visitors
who thronged the outer field some 200