New-York tribune., 1919-07-04
R-34 Is Driven
Off Course by
Coastal Storm
Continued from page /

closer the ties between this country
and America
The reports of progress of the air
ship came through varied sources. The
Renown, stationed in mid-Atlantic, re-
ported that when the dirigible passed
the midway point in the ocean shortly
after 6 o'clock Greenwich meridien
time G a. m. New York time), the ba-
rHrlet,r was steady, the wind four
miles sn hour from the northwest. the
sky clear, visibility good and the sea
smooth.
Word of the swing to the northwar I'd
that if maintained will carry the dirig-
ib'e into Baffins Bay, off Labrador,
was received by the Air Ministry radio
from his Majesty's Steamship Tiger
which reported at 6:3O p. N. English
summer time, 1880 y. m. New York
tlme) that the R-34 was then in lati
tude 81 degrees 20 minutes north,
longitude 40 degrees west-a position
approximately TOO miles northeast of
Newfoundland and 500 miles south of
Greenland
The British dirgible R-34 is now on
the edge of a violent storm raging over
Newfoundland, according to the calcu-
lations of the meteorological experts
now stationed at Roosevelt Field, L. l.
"Our reports sh w a low pressure
area over Newfoundland that may last
for two days more. A strong wind with
a velocity of twenty-five to thirty miles
an hour is blowing, with very hazy con-
ditions upon the surface"
This summary of weather conditions
now facing the R-34 was made by w
R. Gregg, metcorologist sent dowr
from Washington especially to CO.
ordinate the weather reports. He is
being assisted by Lieutenant c.. N
Keyser, Of the aerographic bureau OF
the navy, and Chief Quartermaster S
Gottlich, of the same department., from
the Rockaway naval air station.
ain order to avoid this storm cen.
tre," said Mr.. Gregg, "th9 R-34 must
lay her course we'll to the north OF
Newfoundland. If her commander does
this he will meet with a stiff twenty
fivemileanh hour easterly gale, which
will aid him materially in his progress
Arrival To-day Doubtful
"As the storm centre Is little te
the east of Newfoundland, the comman
der Of the R-34 can round Newfound
! land by way of the Belle Isle Straitt
and take advantage of the northerly
winds blowing on the outer edge of the
disturbance. This condition will be il
his favor as far as the Gulf of Maine
Then he will meet with normal weather
conditions, but with the wind agains
arrive here Friday night, but the pos
sibility is more likely Saturday morn
ing"
Mr.. Gregg said the weather forecas
for the dirgible's fight was being ar
ranged in the Central Weather office
in Washington by E. H. Bowie, ma
tional forecaster. This is then sen
on to the wireless station at Arlington
and sent out broadcast across thu
cabled to the South Kensingtor
meteorological office in London, which
in turn, sends it out from the British
Admiralty's wireless stations.
The fifty great searchlights that have
been installed on Roosevelt Field t.
guide the R-34 in case she lands a
night, were thoroughly tested for tn,
first time last night. The powerful
beams, sweeping the sky in interwover
lines, reached out to sea for man,
miles.
The test was witnessed by Colone
Archie Miller, chief of all aviation &C
tivities on Long Island, together Will
Brigadier General l.. f. O. Charlton
British Air Attache; Lieutenant Colo
mel Frederick w. Lucas and Majo
Hugh uller, the British officers il
charge of the landing arrangements
A huge crowd also watched the dis
play from the roads surrounding tn
fields.
No Wireless Heard Here
Although the three wireless station
erected at Roosevelt Field, Hazelhurs
Field and Mitchell Field had been lis
tening all day for the signals of tn
R-34, it was announced at 8 o'cloc
last night that no sign of the dirigibl
had been received
The station at Roosevelt Field is un
der direction of the United States nava
radio service, and the two other sta
tions are under direction Of army radi
experts. The operators are stralnlni
every nerve to get in touch with tn
big dirigible.
The opinion was generally expresse,
last night by of4iceil of the field tha
the R-34 coul,, rot possibly arrive be
fore Saturday morning. They bas
their predictions entirely upon the re
ports of progress that have been re
layed to the landing ground and tn
positions given in these reports.
ut Ill depends upon the weather,
said Major Hugh Fuller, the British
officer in charge of landing arrange
ments. "If til. r Sd does not run int
bad weather we should be receivin,
her on Saturday morning, but if sh
encounters strong head winds ant
foggy weather it may be Saturda.
evening or possibly Sunday morning
Crowds Already at Field
AS evidence of the tremendou
crowds which are expected to witnes
the arrival of the big British airship
all the hotels at Mineola and surround
ing Towns already arc crowded. Scvera
homes also have been rented for th'
next two days. An automobile part.
which arrived at the field last nigh
| from Alhanv hrOupht tent with them