Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-07-02
American Navy Invited to DeS-
ignate Officer to Make Trip
and Commander LansdoWne
Is Assigned.
CREW IS CONFIDENT
WILL CROSS OCEAN
Big Blimp is Equipped With
Powerful Wireless and Is
Expected to Make Voyage
In Seventy Hours.
icy MORNING JOURNAL SPECIAL LEASED wRgl
East Fortune, Scotland. July
"wednesday, by the Associated Press.)

Fast Fortune, Scotland July
! "wednesday. by the Associated Press.)
The dirigible R-S4 started on its
voyage to America at las this morn
| ing.
London, July 2.--The air ministry
annouces that the R-34 left tho
ground at 1:4S, Greenwich time, on
her Transatlantic flight Prior to
the start of the Trans-Atlautic flight,
Lieut.. Com. Zachary Landsdowne of
the United States navy, on board at
the invitation of the British admiralty.
said:
Crew Is Confident.
There is no doubt whatever in my
mind, or, l. believe, In the minds of
any of the crew. that we will get over
without difficulty"
Commander Landsdowne is a firm
believed in the practicability of the
lighter than air machine, and has de-
voted all his time during the war to
studying this branch of navigation.
1T was very good of the Admiralty
he continued, go extend an imitation
to our navy department, that an
american be included in the crew OF
this pioneer flight.
AS | understand 1t we will not at
tempt any speed trial. We will cross
as quickly as possible, avoiding ad-
verse winds, but at the same time not
overlooking any opportunity for OBJ
servations likely to be of aid in tho
future to navigators and airship pi-
lots crossing the Atlantic"
Weather Conditions Good.
East Fortune. Scotland, JULY (by
\
conditions of weather the British d.
rigible R-S4 could sail to Long Island
and return without replenishing her
supplies, but nothing is being over
looked in the attempt to make this
historic flight. Major Scott, her COM
mander said he would attempt to fol-
low q great circle and arrive over New
Foundiand That Is only a hope, how
ever, ne added, as weather conditions
In MD Atlantic may force him in all
most any direction to escape cyclone
conditions.
Give me an even break and I'll get
across without any trouble" said Ma
Jor Scott to the correspondent tonight.
Two o'clock had been fixed for the
start, because at that hour atmospher-
lc conditions are best for lifting the
heavy load--and for the first time in
her brief career the R-3i will be car-
rying capacity load.
me meteorological forecast for the
week is favorable for the trip. Winds
VIII be Encountered across the main
route which will bring them favorable
weather conditions, 1t is reported.
largest i'm World.
me giant British dirigible R-34 is
the FIRST lighter than air machine To
attempt transatlantic flight. The
alrshlp, the largest of its kind in the
world, measures 634 feet from nose
10 stern and carries three boats be-
low the gas bag. She has a gas ca
pacity or 10000. 060 cubic feet. and is
commanded by Major G.. II. Scott of
the Royal air force. The craft ID
equipped with wireless system as
powerful as that of the great ocean
liners.
Among the crew of twenty-three
men is Lieutenant Commander Zach
ary Lansdown, staff commander Of
the American naval air forces in
France, who IS making the yovaeo
as representative of the United States
navy.
1t has been estimated that the R-24
VIII cross the Atlantic in from so to
10 hours under favorable weather
conditions. Announcement has been
ilaue, however, that no attempt Will
be made to establish time record
Tor the crossing, the comfort of the
dirigible's crew being given first con-
May Follow Ship Route.
With favorable weather the R-34
Is expected to parallel the route OF
the northern steamship lanes. but
should adverse weather conditions be
encountered, she possibly will take
the southern course. passing over or
near the Azores.
The landing will be made at Roose-
welt Field, Mineola, n. Y. Under
present plans the giant airship will
only make short stay before starting
on her return voyage. because of the
TACT that there is no hangar at Roose-
yelt Field or elsewhere capable OF
housing the machine. Aecommoda-
lions for 100000 persons to witness
he landing have been provided
TheaR-34 recently made a fifty-six-
hour trip into the Baltic, during which
she covered approximately 1000 miles.
Washington Receives Notice.
Washington, July Naval author
ties here received late tonight a
Message from the British air ministry
'aying that the R-34 probably would
tart some time tenight but received s.
he first news of the commencement
y her flight from Associated Press