The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-10-12

was WIN sense OF grave re-
sponsibility that the captain of
England's greatest air liner. the
R-ss, watched the distinguished pas
sengers climb aboard as darkness fell
on September 10. Represented in their
number were men who practically con
trolled the nations wealth and others
of prominence in the affairs Of Brit
aims colonies, and for tho ensuing
twenty hours their safety depended
upon the judgment and skin of the
officer in charge. The flight had 'been
planned for demonstration purposes to
prove to these notables that British
engineering genius had indicated it.
self in the construction of lighter than
air craft. A blunder or a mistake in
judgment. and the whole purpose Of
the enterprise came to nought.
From his post in the forward gon-
dola the R-3S's captain looked down
upon the men and petty officers gath
cred about awaiting the order to hustle
the great bag with its pendant gon-
dolas out into the open. A last min
ute report of weather conditi ms wire
lessed by the sister ship, the R-32,
which had sailed an hour before was
passed up to the captain. and as he
glanced over It a high official Of the
Air Ministry bearing the rank of Brig
adler General entered. preceding the
financiers and officials who were
guests on the flight. The captain
greeted each with a hearty handshake
as they were presented and promised
good weather for the voyage.
Lights were turned on throughout
the length of the aerodrome. A Junior
officer made Anal complete inspection
OF every part OF the ship to look for
stow Always, and the last OF the crew. a
French chef from the Criterion restau-
rant, accompanied by a head waiter
from the same establishment, climbed
to the centre gondola, glancing with
amazement at the tremendous proper
ton of the vessel in which they were
to play pioneer parts as the first to
cook and serve luxurious meals above
the clouds. The chef, finding it impos-
sible to subdue his enthusiasm, ges-
ticulated feverishly as he was shown
the electric stoves and the plates
placed above the exhaust pipes.
The Chef Is Thrilled.
~C'est magnifique!" he cried as he
mum cooking utensils and the stores of
~ ..,tN totx he
was to serve the aerial voyagers.
With signal to one of the officers
on the floor Of the aerodrome the cap
tain set the floor crews into action
Ropes were caught up by the men and
the great airship moved slowly past
the doors, nosing its way into the
outer air with the same elaboration
ocean liners show leaving their berths
at the Hoboken docks. The wind was
from the northwest and the search
light playing from the top Of the shed
The figures Of the men holding to va
rious ropes were dwarfed by the size
of the craft and seemed grotesque as
they stumbled and pulled this way and
that as the R-33 strained in the slight
breeze.
Al a tune thc oiiip was NJ hiS
proper distance from the shed and II
the right position to ascend. The cap
tain, leaning from the window of the
gondola, calmly waved his arm in 6
signal to the officer below and after
a few shouted orders the men cast of
their hold on the ropes, tn motor:
roared a louder and more aggressiv,
tone and this mass of silver grey ros'
quickly several hundred feet. Their
was no cheering. Friends Of thos'
aboard waved hand in farewell ant
hoped silently for success in the ad
venture. They watched the length!
shape diminish as II gained altitude
heard the roar of the motors chang
from an internal racket to a muffie'
musical monotone, and as the nigh
swallowed the R.3S she was seen t.
head north. sailing evenly at a heigh
bf 5000 feet.
The distinguished company gathere'