The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-07-05
'tneaSC OF mere.
On Last Lap of Journey.

On Last Lap or Journey.
Roosevelt Field, Mineola, l.. l., July
SCI, N. S.)-The giant British diri-
gible R-34, now on the last lap OF
her transatlantic journey from Eng
land. is expected to reach here about
noon today.
Last direct word from the dirigible
stated that she was off Sydney. N. S..
at 8:45 o'clock last night and naval
airmen figured today that, allowing
an average speed, the big balloon
would make the field by noon.
Thousands of persons gathered at
the field and in the surrounding small
villages were watching at dawn this
morning for first sight of the bal
loon. It. is estimated that 100000
persons win see the history making
machine anchor to her Inoorings here,
Radio men sat at their instruments
here all last night, straining their
ears for the first message from the
R-34 but at O'Clock this morning
there was still no word other than
that reporting her position last night.
Signals "Pretty Loud
Boston, July Sat $3.50 this morn
ing the radio station at the Boston
navy yard reported signals from the
RIA were coming in pretty loud"
Her position was not given. The
messages, 1t was said, indicated all
was well.
Maine Station Listens In
Bar Harbor, Me-, July British
transatlantic dirigible RIA was talk
ing by wireless with the Canadian
shore stations at Cape Race and Cape
Sable at S:45 o'clock this morning.
The exchange of messages was
heard by the high powered United
States naval wireless station here.
Thousands on Beach.
Portland, Me-, July 5.-Thousands
at the beach resorts along the Maine
coast watched for the British dirigi-
BILE R-34 this morning, but failed to
sight the big airship. Weather off
shore was hazy.
Navy officials said that If the R-34
tooks the course followed heretofore
by aviators to and from Long Island,
N. Y, and Nova Scotia, the dirigible
would pass out of sight of land at
the tip of the Nova Scotia coast and
would not sight land again until she
!, reached Cape Cod on the Massachu-
setts coast.
Lieut-Col Frederick w Lucas of
the British royal air force. was anx-
iously awaiting an answer to his mess
age, sent by wireless TO Ma. G. H. Ccott,
commanding the R-34. but no answer
had been received up to $3.50 ann He
bad asked Maj Scott for a report on
his position and probable time of ar
rival.
The finishing touches were put on
the preparations to receive the ship at
the field here today. Approximately
1000, 900 feet of hydrogen gas, stored in
long cylinders, lay close to the concrete
blocks to which the big dirigible will be
t. - ~, y..ka k,.o
big gas bag. however, until 1t is suffi-
ciently cooled to prevent loss and dan
ger
Admiral William s. Benson, chief
of naval operations, and acting secre-
tary, sent orders to the commandant
of the first naval district at Boston,
after receipt of a message from Com
mander Zachary Lansdowne. U. S. N,
who is on the R-34, asking if destroy
ers could tow the dirigible to port il
necessary.
Commander Lansdownes message
as well as a previous one from the
airship reporting that she. was over
Nova Scotia, was flashed from Wash
ington to the air ministry at London
with assurances that the American
navy would render all possible as
sistance should any be required.
Situation at 1880 O'clock.
Halifax, July 5.-A wireless mes
sage received by admiralty officials
here at 1890 o'clock stated that the
R-34 was at the south end of the
Bay of Fundy between Yarmouth and
the Grand Manan.
Slightly Worried at Silence.
While the officials here were slightly
worried at the continued silence of the
dirigible's wireless they have no doubt
that everything is going well with the
ship.
They believe that after striking the
Canadian mainland the R-34 probably
turned straight down the coast. 1t was
also considered possible that something
may have gone wrong with her wire-
less. but II that be true there would
still be no cause for alarm, as the
weather is well nigh perfect.
Mneola and the surrounding country
looked like circus day in the pale MORN
ing light. Auto parties have come for
miles around to see the ship land. All
the hotels at Mineola, Westbury and
other small towns are filled to over
flowing
A notable gathering of American air.
men are here to greet the British crew.
Gen. Charles +. Menoher. chief of the
army air service, arrived from WASH
ington early today, heading the army
contingent. Rear Admiral James II.
sented the navy. II was reported about
the field that Secretary Baker and Sec
retary Daniels would be on hand to
welcome the fiers, but they were not
present this forenoon.