Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1919-07-06
Bancroft, One of u S.
ShipsSentt to Aid, Gets
in Touch With
Aircraft.
Reports Balloon Likely Will
Be Able to Make
Massachusetts
City.

BY the Associated Press.
The British dirigible RIA, lying
from Scotland to New York. reported
to the Navy Department at Illus
o'clock tonight that she was ITO miles
northeast of Boston and slowly max
ing her way there over the open sea
Contact with the R-34 was established
tonight at lao O'Clock by the destroyer
Bancroft of the United States Navy.
The Bancroft at that hour, accord
ing to messages which reached the
Navy Department, was trailing the
dirigible as it proceeded southwest
across the Gulf of Maine. The RIA
was still under her own power.
Fuel May Hold Out.
A message from the Bancroft to the
commandant of the first naval dis
trict forwarded to the Navy Depart
ment at 1890 am. Sunday Indicated
that the R-34s fuel supply will hold
out until the dirigible reaches Chat
ham. Mass.
The message reads as follows:
Position 42:51 north. 6S:04 west
Heading for Chatham. Speed % or
"a knots. R-34 thinks fuel will hold
out"
The new positions of the R-34 as
given in the Bancrofts dispatch
elbows that the dirigible is making
steady progress toward Boston, and
was at the time the dispatch was
filed about us miles from its OBJ
iectiye. At the rate the R-34 is trav-
cling, it should cover the distance in
five hours. which would bring it over
Chatham between and o'clock am.
The following message was received
from the R-34 at the Navy Depart
ment at 1923 pm: Flying $500 feet
above sea. Come and meet us. Max
ing for Boston. Rush Very short OF
gasoline"
When the message was sent the
R-s4 was eighty-five miles southwest
of Yarmouth, Nova Scotia. 1t was
relayed from the Otter Cliff station.
Appeals for Fuel.
A message earlier in the night to
the Navy Department from the RIA.
somewhat 1garbled in transmission,
appealed for gasoline and hydrogen
gas, and indicated that a forced land
ing at Chatham. Mass, was contem-
plated.
The message, which came through
heavy interference. was received at
- nd
Gasoline R-34 wishes to land at
Chatham. Can you supply hydrogen
and gallons gasoline early tomorrow
morning"
The message from the R-34 asking
for help and saying she was making
for Boston was broadcasted by the
Navy Department
Vessels Ordered to Aid.
Orders also were to the comman-
dant of the first naval district at
Boston, Ito get out everything avail
able Immediately" in an effort to rem
der assistance to the dirigible.
The orders. sent by Rear Admiral
Benson, chief of naval operations and
Communicate with all stations
along the Maine coast. Get out every
thing available Immediately and get in
touch with and keep in touch with
R-34. Render every assistance posi-
bic Keep department informed of ac-
ton taken"
There are about ten destroyers at
the Boston navy yard in addition to
the two already searching for the
R-34. The cruiser Birmingham, a
high-speed scouting vessel. is also at
Boston and will be sent to sea as soon
as possible. A number of submarine
chasers. probably totaling ten or
twelve. stationed along the Maine
coast. also will be sent out as a result
of Admiral Benson's order.
Tells of Route Ahead.
The following message was received
at the Navy Department at e:35 pm.
from the officer in charge Of the Otter
Cliff (Me) radio station:
Canadian Press informs me that
R-3i is flying over the Dominion
Atlantic railroad from Digby to Var
mouth about midnight G. NJ. r. g pm
Washington time). Please inform
commando first naval district in
order to route destroyers accordingly
off Yarmouth"
A later dispatch from New York to
the Secretary Of the Navy from the
commandant of the third naval dis
trict said:
"R-34 expected to arrive early Sun.
day morning. Dinner will be held a,
Garden City Hotel about noon Sun.
day.
Favorable Weather Ahead,
Weather conditions are not Hkel,