The evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1914-1922, 1921-08-24
A|RSH|P
FALLS into
RIVER ON
TRIAL TRIP
ZR-2 Explodes, Many of
Crew Falling to
Death
WAS MADE FOR u. S.
Monster Dirigible Was to
Attempt Flight Across
Ocean
WAS MADE FOR U. S.

HULL, Eng, Aug. 24.--Disaster
overlook the giant dirigible ZR-2
late this afternoon. The monster
airship exploded over the river
Humber here, falling into the
stream mass Of flames, the ex-
plosion and fall bringing death TO
many OF the officers and men on
board, among whom were FIVE
American commissioned officers
and nearly a dozen other Ameri-
cans Of lesser ranking in addition
to the regular British crew.
The number Of fatalities has not
yet been definitely ascertained but
IL bodies are said TO have been re-
covered and il is believed-tfiaf not
less than ten on board were saved.
The disaster occurred while the
zR-2 was on what was Intended 10
he her final trial trip before being
turned over by her British builders
to tho United States navy for her
flight across the Atlantic.
Storm Delays Landing.
early yesterday. was prevented by n
storm from landing last night and was
cruising about today making further
tests before proceeding to Pullman, In
Norfolk. where Il was Intended TO
moor her.
The dlrigiblc was floating easily
over this city shorty after s.30
o'clock this afternoon. all being seem
ingly well with her, when, according
10 ats - ms lTIg IN
her rudder and she swerved In to-
ward the humber.
Apparently the strain on the turn
was too much for her. Crowds gath
cred In the streets OF 1iuii intentiy
watching the movements OF the air
monstcrl saw "a sudden flaan and
heard the report OF tremendous ex-
plosions violent enough 10 shake tho
buildings beneath and break windows
In the city store fronts
Then the airship appeared TO break
In two and burst into flames. the
crowds beneath. meanwhile. running
panic stricken In all directions to es-
cape the wreck OF the falling diri-
glble. which, II seemed, would drop
directly upon the city.
The fall OF the snip. fawcyer. was
Into the river, close to the sn0re and
its piers, whore II settled into this
water.
Burning fragmsat Of the air.
ship between dense columns nf smoke
and flame extended for hundreds OF
feet along the surface Of the water.
Descended by Parachute.
Eye witnesses saw at least four
men descend from the burning air-
ship by parachutes Three men were
seen hanging from one parachute.
The explosions In the big dlrtgible
were OF such force as TO wreck many
of the windows Of store fronts In the
center OF Hull
Tugs and other craft OF all kinds
put on from the shore for rescue
work Immediately the disaster was
witnessed simultaneously corps
OF amhulancos dashed to the pier and
| took Injured members of the crew to
the infirmary a. they were landed.
HUI message announces that the
badly burned body OF Ensign Marcus
| Asturey" was taken 10 the mortuary.
" added that Captain Swcan, the
British officer who commanded the
lR-2. was unharmed. It Is assumed
| here that by Astericy N meant Iieu-
tenant Marcus H. Estcrley. American
radio officer OF Washington. u. e.
II was while the ZR-2 was cruising
| over Hun that she was seen to
emerge from the clouds and suddenly
break In two. one portion appeared
to rise In the air The other de-
seconded slowly and fell into the
Humber one explosion occurred as
the shin WAS falling and another
after u touched the water. The
wreckage fioatcd on the water about
two hundred Yards from the riverside
quay and continued 10 burn.
| II b. learned that IN. American Of
ficerH oa board the dlrigible were
Commander Louis ". MaNfioId, wash :
ington. -. C.; Lieutenant Commander
Valentine \. Hics, 0f Bryn Mawr.
Pa; Lieutenant Commander Emory
Foil. OF Marietta. Ohio; Lieut.. Mar
Gus a Esterles Washington. ID. C.:
Lieut. Henry ". Hoyt. Clearwater.
Nowburyport. Mass.
Making photographs.
one OF the survivors named Bate