Omaha daily bee., 1919-07-02
R-34 Begins Voyage From
Scotland to America Early
Wednesday Morning; Yankee
Observer Aboard AirShip.
WON'T ATTEMPT TO
MAKE NEW RECORD
Washington Receives Message
Flight Is to Be Attempted;
BIimp Will AIight at Roose-
welt Field, MineoIa, N. Y.

East Fortune, Scotland, Wednes-
day, July 2.-(By the Associated
Press. 1.-The dirigible R-34 started
on its voyage to America at lag
Wednesday morning.
Under normal conditions Of
weather, the British dirigiblc R-34
could sail to Long Island and return
without replenishing her supplies,
but nothing is being overlooked in
the attempt to make this historic
flight
Major Scott, her commander, said
he would attempt to follow 4 great
circle and arrive over Newfoundland.
That is only hope, however, he
added, as weather conditions in mid
Atlantic may force him in almost any
direction to escape cyclonic condi-
tions.
Give ME an even break and I'll
get across without any trouble" said
Major Scott to the correspondent.
Il took her 1000 miles over the Bal
tic. came back in devil of a wind
and when we got here had petrol
enough to do 40 more hours. And
remember, we were not fully loaded
with petrol when we started. | cam
not tell you just how much petrol we
have aboard for this still is a naval
craft, you know. But you may be as
sured that we have more than we
had when we started our last trip. a
Arrange for Crews Comfort.
Before the start food supplies and
everything for the comfort of the
crew of q were taken aboard. i,
The meteorological forecast for
the week is favorable for the ship.
Winds will be encountered across
the main route which will bring with
them favorable weather conditions,
it is reported.
Prior to the start of the transat-
lantic flight. 1t. Com Zachary Lans-
downe, of the United States navy, a
passenger, at the invitation of the
British admiralty, said:
There is no doubt whatever in
my mind, or, l believe, in the minds
of any of the crew, that we will geA
over without difficulty" vi
Commander Landsdowne is a firm
believer in the practicability of the
lighter r-than-air machine, and has de -t
voted all his time during the war;
studying this branch of navigation.
Glad of the Opportunity.
1T was very good of the admiral
ty," he continued, TO extend an in
vitation to our Navy department,
that all American be included in the
crew on this pioneer fight. I see
no particular reason why the adj
miralty should have selected me,
but, believe me, am glad of the OPP
portunity."
The giant British dirigible RIA is
the first lighter than air machine to
attempt an transatlantic flight. The
airship, the largest of its kind in the
world, measures 634 feet from nose
to stern and carries three boats be-
low the gas bag. She has a gas ca
pacity of 100000 cubic feet and is
commanded by Maj. G. H. Scott of
the Royal air force. The craft is
equipped with a wireless system as
powerful as that of the great ocean
liners.
Won't Try For Record.
1t has been estimated that the
Pa will cross the Atlantic in from
90 to 20 hours, under favorable
weather conditions. Announcement
has been made, however, that no at
tempt will be made to establish
time record for the crossing, the
comfort of the dirigible's crew being
given first consideration.
With favorable weather the R-34
is expected to parallel the route Oh
the northern steamship lanes. but
should adverse weather conditions
be encountered, she probably will
take the southern course, passing
over or near the Azores.
The landing will be made at
Roosevelt field, Mineola, L. l.
Under present plans, the gi-
ant airship will only make short
stay before starting on her return
voyage, because of the fact that
there is no hangar at Roosevelt
field or elsewhere capable of hous-
ing the machine. Accommodations
for 100000 persons to witness the
landing have been provided.
The R-4 recently made a s6-hour
trip into the Baltic. during which
it covered Approximately 1000 miles.
Capitol Gets Message.
Washington, July Naval au-
thorities here received message
from the British air ministry saying
that the R-34 probably would start
some time Tuesday night but re-
ceived the first news of the coIp.<a
mencement of its fight from Asso-
ciated Press dispatches Il