Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1919-07-11
ENGLISH D|R|C|BLE
BALLOON SAFE HERE
AT ROOSEVELT FIELD
AT END OF AERIAL VOYAGE
OF $500 MILES.
POWER FUEL WAS ALMOST GONE
Crew, Nearly Sleepiess for 4L2 Days,
Weary, but Happy--Start Return
Trip Tuesday-First Lighter
Than Air Balloon Across.

Mineola, n. Y, July 6.-Great Brit
aims super-dirigible, R-34, the first
lighter-than-air machine to cross the
Atlantic ocean, anchored here at
Roosevelt field at 1854 a. M, Sun.
day Q:54 p. m. G. NJ. To, after an
aerial voyage of 10S hours and IL
minutes, which covered 313O knots, or
approximately $500 land miles.
Passing through dense banks of
cloud, with the sun and sea visible
only at rare intervals, the R-34 was
forced to cruise 2050 knots to reach
Trinity Bay, N. F., from East For
tune, Scotland, and 1880 knots from
there to Mineola.
When the super-zeppelin arrived here
she had left only enough petrol to
keep her moving 90 minutes longer.
Her crew, almost sleepless for four
and half days, were weary almost
to the point of exhaustion, but happy
at the successful completion of their
trip. The return voyage started Tues
day.
Officers Haggard, Unshaven.
Haggard, unshaven, their eyes
bloodshot from the long vigil and lines
OF care bitten deep into their faces,
Major G. H. Scott, the commander
and his officers showed plainly the
anxious hours through which they
lived. while they were cruising over
the far reaches of Canada and the
Bay of Fundy, beset by fog, heavy
winds and terrific electrical storms.
1T seemed as though the atmos-
phere was haunted by 5000 DEVILS"
said Lieutenant Guy Harris, the me-
neurological officer
With the R-34 long overdue at it's
destination, petrol supply running low
and buffeted by strong winds, Major
Scott decided Sunday while over the
Bay OF Fundy to send a wireless call
to the American navy department to
prepare to give assistance il it were
needed. This was merely measure
of precaution and did not indicate dis.
enlargement. While destroyers and
submarine chasers We're racing to her
| assistance the R-34 was plugging on
her way steadily to Mineola. Once
clear of the Bay of Fundy the atmos-
pheric hoodoo which had beset the
craft from the time it took the air
was gradually left in it's wake.
Destroyer Trails Diriaible.
The R-34 headed southwest out
across the Atlantic along the coast of
Cod with the United States DESTROY
er Bancroft hanging on her tail and
in constant wireless communication
with her. The destroyer stuck close
in the wake of the air monster, rum
ming under forced draft until Cape
Vod was reached and then the dirigi-
Bile cut across lots.
The mammoth balloon was sighted
in the distance about O'Clock and
10 minutes later was over Roosevelt
field. She cruised about in a circle
at height of about 1000 feet until
word was telephoned that everything
was in readiness for the landing.
While the R-34 was circling the
field at great height, Major Pritchard
jumped OIL with parachute. He
landed safely near headquarters and,
smiling, hurried indoors before an
ambulance that had been rushed to
the scene could reach him
Guide Lines Dropped.
Lieutenant Hoyt, u. S. N, the
ground officer. had assembled on the
field force of more than 800 SOL
diers and sailors ready for immediate
action as the R-S4 circled lower and
lower. When she was only 200 feet
| from the ground huge hawser was
let go from under her nose British
noncommissioned officers with Amer
lean soldiers and sailors shouted
gleefully as they seized the rope and
hung on.