The Dillon herald. [volume] (Dillon, S.C.) 1894-????, 1919-07-10
THE BIG AIR SHIP
CROSSES ATLANTIC
TRAVELLED NEARLY SIN THOUS.
AND MILES WITHOUT STOP.
Seemed Like Atmosphere Was
Haunted by 5000 Devils" Said
One Lieutenant.

Roosevelt Flying Field at 9:45 a. m.
today (1.54), Greenwich mean tlme'
after an aerial voyage of 1913 hours
and twelve minutes, which covered
$3.50 knots or approximately 3,b00
miles.
Passing through dense banks OF
cloud, with the sun and sea visible
only at rare intervals, the R-34 was
forced to cruise 1850 knots to reach
Trinity Bay N. F., from East Fortune,
scotland and 1880 knots from there
to Mineola.
Almost Out of Petrol.
When the super-Zeppelin arrived
here she had left only enough petrol
to keep her moving ninety 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 OIL
their epoch-making trip. The return
voyage will be started Tuesday at
a. m.
Haggard. unshaven, their eyes BLOOD
shot from the long vigil and lines OF
care bitten deep into their faces MAJ,
or G.. H. Scott, the commander, anu
his officers showed plainly the eftects
of the anxious hours through whlch
they lived yesterday, while they were
cruising over the far reaches OF Can
ada and the Bay of Fundy, beset b!
fog. heavy winds and terrific eiec-
trical storms.
Haunted by Five Thousand Devils.
"It seemed as though the atmos-
phere was haunted by 5000 devils,
said Lieut.. Guy Harris, the meteoro-
logist. With the R34 long overdue
at its destination, petrol supply run
ming low and buffeted by strong heac
winds. Major Scott decided yester-
day while over the Bay of Fundy TO
send a wireless call to the American
Navy Department to give assistance II
- II were needed. This was merely
measure of precaution and did not in
dicate encouragement. Whlle oe-
stroyers and submarine chasers werc
racing to her assistance the R-34 was
plugging steadily ahead on the way to
Mineola.
Hoodoo Left Behind.
Once clear of the Bay of Fundy tne
\ atmosphere hoodoo which had oeset
! the craft from the time it took the ar
was gradually left in its wake. lhe
R-24 headed southwest out across the
Atlantic along the coast of Maine, her
nose pointed for Cape Cod, with the
limited States destroyer -Bancrolt
heading on her tail and in constant
wireless communication with her. Inc
DESTROYER stuck close in the wake OF
the air monster, running under FORCED
draft. until Cape Cod was reacheo'
and then the dirigible cut across lots.
It had been decided on the voyage
along the coast that unless favorlns
wind came up the R-34 woulo De
forced TO land at Mantauk Polnt anu
early this morning wireless message
was sent out making that announce
ment. With the cape left BEHIND now
ever. fortune finally favored the dl-
rigible and the wind veered 10 her Ia
yor. Headed straight for Mohtauh
Point she ran true, and before the
tin end of Long Island was reached Il
was decided to go on TO Mineola.
Flew Majestically.
With the goal almost in sight, the
R-34 flew majestically above the Is
land and headed straight down tne
center of it for Roosevelt Fleld 1VV
miles away. AS she cruised over river
head the dirigible came within range
of the wireless transport telephone III
stalled at Roosevelt Field by the navy
radio service and perfect communlca-
tion was established. During the nlght
the wireless calls from the R-34 were
received by the navy radio station
at New York. Over the wireless tele-
nbone it was explained to Major Scott
of the crew assembled to assist MN IN
landing had been sent TO MontauE
point i'm motor trucks in the e%pec-
tation that he would tie up there ane
that consequently pr paratlons loF
receiving him had not been quite
completed.
Dirieible Sighted.
The mammoth balloon was sighted
in the distance about ! o'clock an"
fifteen minutes later was over RooSc-
welt Field. She cruised about in =
circle at a height OF about 1900 fee,
until word was telephoned that every
thing was i'm readiness for the lano-
ing.
While the R-G4. was circling the
field at a great height, Major Prilch-
ard Jumped Off with a parachute. H"
landed safely near headquarters am
smiIingly hurried indoors before an
ambulance that had been rushed 20
the scene could reach him. This W.
nearly half hour before the dirig'-
BILE came TO anchor.
Huge Hawser Dropped
i Lieut.. Hoyt. L. :. n, the ground Ci-
Gicer. had assembled on the Tieid
Sorce of more than 500 soldiers and
sSlors ready for instant action a
tha R-34 circled lower and lowe.
When she was only 200 feet above
the ground a huge hawsef was let 70
from under her nose. British non-com
missioned officers shouted sleefulIy
as they seized the rope and hung on.
The water ballast was dropped