Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1921-08-25
PUBLIC FUNERAL
I FOR zR-2 DEAD
London Plans Great Ceremony
OF Mourning for Victims
of Disaster
TRAGEDY SHOCKS NATION

Bp the Associated Press
London, Aug. 25.-The American and
British victims Of the disaster to the
ZR-2 at Hull last evening will be ac-
corded q great public funeral, probably
IN London, it 10 considered certain. The
Air Ministry today had the project un :
der advisement and an announcement
regarding II was expected at any time.
Meanwhile all England, profoundly
stirred by the destruction OF the giant
dirigible-the greatest Of ali air dis
esters-is giving expression to its deep
fteling of mourning for the victims and
sympethy for those bereaved. In Lon
don the atmosphere today waG somewhat
akin to that which followed the re-
ceipt OF news OF q serious disaster dur
Ing the war days.
At the Air Ministry. which yesterday
was beehive Of activity with elaborate
preparations for the trans Atlantic
flight, there was today sensible de-
preston on all sides.
Wives Anxious for Trip
It was at Howden. Hull. Leeds and
neishboring 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 inen who came to
England for the trans ocean fight.
These young women had been eagerly
awaiting the time of the ZR-2's start
Tor America, and had expected soon to
Follow on board Government trans
port to their new homes.
The American dead included two
members Of the American Legion, Lieu.
tenant Little and Lloyd +. Crowell,
mechanic. Several Of the British vic
Tins were members OF the British Le-
sion Of former service men. Both these
organizations will be represented at the
funeral services.
As the dirigible was still British
property, not having yet been turned
over to the American authorities, all
investigations Of the calamity will be
supervised by the British Air Ministry.
King George Grieved
Foremost among the expressions Of
condolence was one from King George
his Majesty telegraphing from Balmoral
20. Air Marshal Trenchard at the Air
Ministry, said:
II am shocked and grieved to hear
OF the terrible disaster which has be.
fallen airship R-3S (the British num-
Der OF the big dirigible), resulting in
the loss of many valuable lives of
Americans and British, with the rela-
tives of whom l sympathize. shall
anxiously await further information.
GEORGE r. I.
''Chief of Royal Air Forces"
People were accustomed to airships
sailing quietly and safely far overhead,
and dispatches telling OF the collapse
of the dirigible caused a sensation.
Newspaper Stirred
The impression made upon the public
was reflected in newspapers this morn
ing. all Of them expressing profound
sympathy for the relatives Of the men
who met death, regret over the loss OF
the majestic vessel and thankfulness
over the narrow escape of the town of
Hull from terrific calamity.
Pending the inquiry, which, Il Is
assumed, will be Of searching charac-
ter, attempts TO account for the tragedy
are merely speculative. but II is re-
called that during nine hour trial trip
on July II. some Of the girders in the
middle of the ZR-2 showed weakness
which necessitated re enforcement This
work was done Immediately Mt Howden,
and experts believed that the weakness
In the structure Of the airship had been
remedied.
1t Is now regarded significant, how
ever, that observers below have declared
that there was a. buckling amidships
which seemed to precede the explosions
which sent the ZR-2 flaming to the
earth. 1t is suggested that something
was still lacking to make the frame Of
the dirigibe perfectly rigid, but this
point is not greatly emphasized, and
the result Of the investigation is being
awaited.
Defend Type of Vessel
There has been recently an inciina-
tion in some quarters here tn oppose
lighter- than air craft as too costly and
uncertain, but with one exception, Lon
ocn newspapers today expressed firm
confidence that there was n great flu
ture for airships. They declared that
yesterdays tragic failure would not
deter the continuation Of experiments
until the present stage Of progress is
passed and safety is established
The trip of the R-34 across tho At
lantic and back and the successful air
ship service maintained between Ger.
man cities were cited MS proofs that
dirigibles were Of great utility and had
immense possibilities.
From such disasters as this, said
the London Times, 'all human enter
prises have risen more fully equipped
for success, and it will be so with the
airship."
Probe Cause Of Crash
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 disaster. A
conference of Air Ministry officials was
called this morning, and il considered
the project of holding a public funeral
for the victims, possibly in st. Paul's
Cathedral. in this city,
Lord Lee, of Farehsm, First Lord of
the Admiralty, this morning tclephoned
Commander Harry l.. Pence, Naval
Attache at the American Embassy, cx-
pressing his regret at the loss OF Ameri-
can lives in the airship disaster. He
extended, on behalf Of himself and the
Admiralty, condolences to their be.
reaved relatives.