The Kendrick gazette., 1919-07-11
D|R|G|BLE
BALLOON SAFE HERE
AT ROOSEVELT FIELD
AT END OF AERIAL VOYAGE
or 5000 MILES.
NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. GONE
Crew, Nearly sIeepless for 4H 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 1884 a. M, Sun.
day Q:54 p. m. G. M. IT,, after an
aerial voyage of 108 hours and IL
minutes, which covered 3130 knots, or
approximately 5000 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 80 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 Hagsard. 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 ovel
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
teorological officer.
With the R-34 long overdue at it.
destination, petrol supply running low
and buffeted by strong winds, Majol
Scott decided Sunday while over tn,
Bay of Fundy to send wireless cal
to the American navy department t,
prepare to give assistance if it wer'
needed. This was merely a measur,
of precautiOn and did not indicate dis
couragement. While destroyers an,
submarine chasers were racing to he
assistance the R-34 was plugging OF
her way steadily to Mineola. Ono
clear of the Bay of Fundy the atmos
pheric hoodoo which had beset tn
craft from the time it took the al
was. gradually left in its wake.
Destroyer Trails Diriaible.
The R-34 headed southwest ou
across the Atlantic along the coast o
Maine, her nose pointed for Cap,
Cod, with the United States destroy
er Bancroft hanging on her tail ant
in constant wireless communication
with her. The destroyer stuck clos,
in the wake of the air monster, run
ming under forced draft until Cap
Vod was reached and then the dirigi
BILE cut across lots.
The mammoth balloon was sighte,
in the distance about 9 o'clock an,
Is minutes later was over Roosevelt
field. She cruised about in a circl
at height of about 1000 feet unit
word was telephoned that everything
was in readiness for the landing.
While the R-34 was circling tn
field at great height, Major Pritchar
jumped off with a parachute. H
landed safely near headquarters ant
smiling, hurried indoors before a
ambulance that had been rushed t
the scene could reach him.
, Guide Lines Dropped.
Lieutenant Hoyt, U. s. NJ, tn
i ground officer, had assembled on tn
field force of more than 500 so
diers and sailors ready for immediat
action as the R-34 circled lower an
lower. When she was only 200 fee
: from the ground huge hawser wa
, let 60 from under her nose. Britis
noncommissioned officers with Anne
t lean soldiers and sailors shoute
> gleefully as they seized the rope an
!. hung on.