The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-07-07
R-34, HOT, TRIES TO
ESCAPE FROM FIELD
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(Continued from First Page.)
The belief prevailed that il this work
were completed late this afternoon.
the return flight might be started at
once, provided weather conditions
were favorable. One of the officers
on duty during the night admitted
the possibility Of starting late today
instead OF waiting until an hour be-
fore dawn tomorrow, but said that
final decision in this regard naturally
would rest with Major G. H. Scott,
commander.
500 Men Hold Her Down.
More than 500 men assisted in aid
ing the RIA to effect a landing yes
terday, and they remained on duty all
night, in relays of $50. This system
will continue until the airship de-
parts.
The R-34 completed it's landing at
Roosevelt Field at $3.50 yesterday
morning, following a flight, officially
set at $3.50 miles, in 1OS hours and II
minutes. Major Scott estimated,
however, that because of the devious
course followed, she covered fully
5000 miles, making her average speed
29h knots.
The big dirigibIe arrived here I'M
der her own power, largely through
a lucky shift in the direction of the
wind. She encountered stiff head
winds and an electrical storm over
the Bay of FUndy late Saturday. and
was running short of fuel. Msjor
Scott decided to run for Boston and
asked the United States navy to send
aid. Early yesterday. however, the
wind suddenly shifted while the craft
was north of Cape Cod, and Major
Scott decided to attempt TO make
Montauk, L. l. He sent a wireless
message to that effect, and mechanics
were rushed to MontaUk from RoOse-
welt Field. The R-34 reached Mon
tauk at a. m. but the wind still hrld
good. and there was enough petrol
to assure a safe landing at MIneOla,
so Scott kept on.
CircIcd About Field.
The RAJ arrived over Roosevelt
Field at s:45. She circled about at an
altitude of 1000 feet until after 8
o'clock. her officers studying the gem
eral contour of the ground. Wire
less communication established the
fact that Major Hugh Fuller. who
had been in charge of arrangements
for landing. had gone to Boston when
the first S calls were sent out by
the RIA. The dirigible's engines
were suddenly shut off. and shortly
afterward a man lcaped from the
forward gondoIa. a parachute at
tached TO his waist The man was
Major John T.. NJ. Priichard. excCu-
tive officer OF the R-34. He made the
descent to take charge of the land
ing, in the absence Of Major Fuller.
Meantime the American naval
"blimp' CA arrived over the field and
circled about thc R-3i. She appeared
like a toy in comparison with the
huge British craft.
When everything was ready the
R-34 was brought into position, a
great quantity of sand shot out from
The rear Of her gas bag, her stern
tilted upward, and she slowly sank
TO the ground. drag rope was
about 200 feet up. This was secured
TO one of the concrete anchorage
posts. Other ropes followed. and in
r few minutes she was safely an
chorcd.
Thirty Aboard BIImp.
The officers and men aboard the
R-34, thirty in all. were tired, dirty
and hungry. After exchanging greet
ings. posing for pictures, and talking
10 newspaper men, they ate. bathed.
shaved and rested. Lieut. Com. Zach
airy Lansdowne, of Grand Rapids,
Wis. the American observer aboard.
said he had obtained valuable infor-
nation regarding ! aerial navigation
conditions over the Atlantic. which
would be made available To the NAVY
Department.
The R-3Fs personneI Uas s,i,.or q
luncheon at 2:3O. kThev retIred oarIv
and this morning were ont On tbe
field again.