The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-07-11
R-34 MAY CROSS
IN HALF TIME;
ISAT TOP SPEED
Fair Winds Continue to
Drive Ship Forward at
80 Mile Rate.
GAINS IN PACE HOURLY
Communication Clear and Con-
stant-Two Messages Of
Thanks Sent.
GAINS IN PACE HOURLY

Last nights dispatches from the
R-34 indicate that the hugo dirigible
may accomplish the prediction of
Major Scott. her commander. and re-
turn to East Fortune. Scotland. in half
the time -.o took to reach Long
Island. Radiograms to wireless sta
tions on the Atlantic coast had 1t that
the dirigible made an average speed
cf sixty miles an hour for the first fif-
teen hours. At such a speed she
should be home tomorrow.
The messages showed the R-34 gain
ing momentum hourly. Her average
for the first twelve hours was fifty
two and a half miles. In the thir-
teenth, fourteenth and fifteenth hours
she was doing ninety miles. At the
end of the fifteenth hour she was 1000
miles from Mineola; $50 miles due
east from Bar Harbor. Ne.
In several OF her earlier hours Of
travel she piowed along seventy five
or eighty miles. 1t was the strong
and favorable wind which made such
progress possible. Atmospheric condi-
tions were excellent. Communication
with her was clear and constant.
Taking into account the speed the
R-34 was making, radio operators
were enthusiastic about the clearness
of her messages. She flashed two
10, Ian 20
Admiral Glennon and another to E. H.
Bowie of the United States Weather
Bureau.
Sending Atmospheric Reports.
Major Scott asked Mr. Bowie to send
atmospheric reports regularly during the
RISES trip east Major Scott also de-
sired that all weather reports from ships
now in the path OF the dirigible be COM
municated TO him.
About 10 o'clock last night the
Weather Bureau informed Scott that
heavy storm centre over Newfoundland
was moving northeast and that another
was moving from Ontario toward New
foundland. Strong westerly winds wero
as the fittieth meridian and possibly
much further. The weather report con-
cluded
You will have strong westerly winds
next twenty-four to thirty-six hours
with some clouds and falling barom-
eter. My advice Is to keep well south
and take advantage of westerly winds
attending rapid eastward movement of
disturbances north OF latitude As. Good
luck and quick trip"
B2 Mile speed Averaged.
Steady and favorable winds made it
possible for the R-34 to cover the first
$40 miles OF Its homeward trip at an
average rate OF fifty-two and a half
miles an hour. . At noon yesterday the
Navy Department received from Major
scott a message indicating that this
excellent progress might be maintained
during the succeeding twelve hours
Another radiogram sent soon there
after had the big dirigible making sixty
knots-sixty eight and a half miles
an hour and gathering speed momen-
tarily Succeeding messages indicated
that the winds behind the R-34 were in
creasing in velocity until they were
blowing east at a rate Of forty miles.
Under such assistance the dirigible was
travelling faster than she had ever flown
before-ninety-one and three-sevenths
miles an hour.
Evidently the atmospheric conditions
had improved. scott's radio was working
splendidly. As clearly as though the
huge airship was but mile away the
navy wireless operators on shore re-
ceived from the radio on tho dirigible
the following message
"officers and crew OF R-34 desire to
express their gratitude for the valuable
and efficient assistance they have re-
ceived during the moorings OF the R-S4
al Mineola. All we'll and making good
progress. Distance covered 63O miles in
twelve hours. Making for London.
MAJOR ScorT.
Commanding the R-34."
This message was addressed to Rear
Admiral Glennon. commanding the
Third Naval district.
Eight of Crew Left Behind.
Eight members Of the dirigible's crew
were left behind. 1T had been decided
TO avoid the danger of a shortage of
gasolene, such as menAced the trip
west; therefore the tanks carried 400
gallons more fuel than they did when
the dirigible left Scotland. To COM
pensste for this additional load II was
found necessary 10 tighten the crew. The
disappointed men left In America will
sail for England on the first available
liner. With them will go the British
petty officers who came to the States to
make preparations for the arrival Of the
R-34.
All along the New England coast the
many radio stations kept In touch with
the dirigibie all day, From Boston,
Msrthas Vineyard and several points
along the Maine coast the Navy Depart
n iyo.ft..usd m Exffh paa.