The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-07-07
GIANT DIRIGIBLE
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yards from the airship paid no heed
to the rain and mud to get a glimpse
of her. Visitors were permitted on
the field outside the 200 yard limit
again today and from the large num-
crowds than yesterday were expected
during the day.
Luck Aided Arrival.
The big airship arrived here under
her own power. largely thru 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. Major 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. I. He sent a wire
less message to that effect and me.
Roosevelt field. The R-34 reached
Montauk at a. m, but the wind still
held good and there was enough petrol
to assure a safe landing at Mineola, so
Scott kept on.
The R-34 arrived over Roosevelt
field at S:45. She circled about at an
altitude of 1000 feet until after 9.
her officers studying general contour
OF the ground. Wireless communica-
ton esta blished the fact that Major
Hugh Fuller. who had been in charge
Of arrangements for landing. had gone
to Boston when the first S. o. S. calls
were sent out by the RIA.
Leaps With Parachute
The dirigible's engines were sudden
ly shut off. and shortly afterward a
man leaped from the forward gondola.
parachute attached to his waist.
The man was Major Z. NJ. Pritchard.
executive officer of the R-34 He
the landing in the absence of Major
Fuller.
Meantime. the American naval
"Blimp" CA arrived over the field
and circled about the R-S4. She ap-
peared like a toy in comparison with
the huge British craft.
When everything was ready the r.
"a was brought into position, a great
quantity OF sand shot out from the
rear of her gas bag. her stern titled
upward and she slowly sank to the
ground. A drag rope was thrown
overheard while she was about 200
feet up. This was secured to one OF
the concrete anchorage posts. other
ropes followed and in a few minutes
she was safely anchored.
R-34s Crew Tired.
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
to the newspaper men, they all bathed.
shaved and rested. Lieutenant Com
mander Zachary Lansdowne Of Grand
Rapids, Wis. the American observer
aboard, said he had obtained valuable
information regarding aerial naviga-
ton conditions over the Atlantic which
would be made available TO the navy
department
The R-S4s personnel was given a
luncheon at $3.50. They retired early
and this morning were out on the field
again. The crew was prepared for an
automobile trip to New York City but
the men were informed that this plan
might be called off by starting the re-
turn flight late today, or making a
flight to Washington instead.
Will Not Start Today.
Mineola, July Lieut. Col. Fred
erick w. Lucas OF the Royal air force,
in charge Of landing arrangements for
the R-34 at $40 a. m. today denied
that there had been any change of
plan for the departure OF the Big
British dirigible early Tuesday morn
| ing,
He said the overseas start positively
would not be made today.
An earlier report said the British
diriGible RIA which was to start on
| her homeward trip an hour before
! daybreak Tuesday morning may cast
| OFF, late this afternoon or early this
evening.
| Mechanics were rushing the work
of refueling and overhauling the R-34
| all night long. One of the officers
of the dirigible said II was possible
the craft would be ready to start 3ver-
seas before nightfall.
Nearly Broke Away.
Mineola. July THE R-s4 was
torn from her moorlng rope this
morning by a violent gust of wind.
The cross eirder to which the rope
was attached broke under the strain.
/ ripping a hole six feet by three feet
/ in the gas bag. The giant diriEible
was saved from being blown away by
\ 400 men who seized ropes hanging
/ from her sides and held her down