The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1921-08-26

ton. London newspapers today ex-
pressed firm confidence that there
was great future for airBhips. They
declared that yesterdays tragic fail
I ure would not deter the continuation
iof experiments until the present stage
OF progress is passed and safety is,
established.
Commander Brooke Popham of the
research department. and Major
Cooper Of the Investigation branch Of
the air ministry, have gone to Hull to
investigate the cause OF the disas-
ter.
Plan Public Funeral.
The American and British victims
of the disaster to the ZR-2 at Hull,
last evening, will be accorded a great
public funeral, probably in London,
| it is considered certain. The air
ministry today had the project under
advisement and an announcement re-
garding It was expected at any time.
Meanwhile, all England profoundly
stirred by the destruction of the
giant dirigible-the greatest Of all
air disasters-is giving expression to
its feeling OF mourning for the vic
| tins and sympathy for those be-
| reaved. In London the atmosphere
| today was somewhat akin to that
which followed the receipt of news
of serious disaster during the war
days. At the air ministry, which
yesterday was beehive Of activity
with elaborate preparations for the
trans Atlantic fight, there was to-
day a sensible depression on all sides.
1t was at Howden, Hull, Leeds and
neighboring towns, however, where
lived the wives and relatives Of many
of the men whose lives were snuffed
out by the disaster. that the loss
was most keenly felt. In these places,
too, were the English brides of nine
| of the American enlisted men, who
came to England for the trans ocean
flight These young women had been
| eagerly awaiting the time Of the
ZR-2's start for America and had e1-
| pected soon to follow on board a
government transport to their new
homes.
| Two Members American Legion.
| The American dead included two
members of the American Legion.
Lieutenant Little, and Lloyd z.
Crowell, mechanic. Several of the
British victims were members of the
British Legion of former service men.
Both these organizations will be rep
resented at the funeral services.
AS the dirigible was still British
property, not being vet turned over
to the American authorities, all In
vestigations of the calamity will be
supervised by the British air minis
try.
foremost among the expressions Of
coincidence was one from King
George. his majesty, telegraphing
from Belmoral to Air Marshal Trench
ard, at the air ministry, said: ri am
shocked and grieved to hear of the
terrible disaster which has befallen
lairship R-SS 1.-THE British number Of
the big dirigible,) resulting In the
loss of many valuable lives Of Amer
i lean and British, with the relatives
of whom I sympathize shall anxi-
4 ously await further Information.
(Signed) George r. /. Chief Of royal
air forces"
Will Continue Airship Program.
i Washington, D. c., August 25.-Des-
pite the loss of the ZR-2 before &C
tually becoming naval property, Of
ficers of the naval bureau Of aero
nautics confidently hope the navy
will be permitted to continue its rigid
airship program. They point out that
America already has gigantic hangar
at Lake Hurst, N. j., completed at q
cost of 1000, 900 and capable Of hous
ing two ships. Of the size of the ZR- 2
as well as other complete facilities.
Still without details as to the cause
Of the ZR-2 disaster today, naval
aeronauts were loath to accept the
hydrogen explosion theory advanced
in early dispatches from England
They were rather inclined to be-
tlieve that some structural weakness
developed. or that the girders and
frames which were strained in the
July II fight, failed and caused gaso-
line or hydrogen leaks. II gasoline
or hydrogen came into contact with
the exhausts OF any Of the six en-
gines swung beneath the great en-.
1 velope an explosion could readily
have been caused, it was explained.
The reports that the ship fell In
two pieces, however tends to cause
belief in naval circles that structure.
failures were the prime cause of the
disaster. brought about perhaps by
too sudden strain on some weah
part.
1t is not thought that the navy will
endeavor to purchase from England
any Of her remaining rigid airships.
but that construction in America will
be undertaken II others are author
lied.