The copper era and Morenci leader., 1921-08-26
GREAT SKY CRUISER. CRUMPLES IN AIR.. FLAMES END WORK
 OF DESTRUC TON

Hull England, Aug. 24-Sixteen of ficers and men of the United States navy and 27 officers and men of the British navy met death today in the collapse of the great dirigible ZR-2 over the city of Hull. Only one Of the Americans on board the ill-fated craft escaped, as far as could be as- certained at midnight tonight. Norman c. Walker rigger, was the only American to escape. It was reported early in the night that he had died but inquiry has established the fact that he is still alive. His home is in Commerce, Texas.
 Only five men of the 49 who were making the trial trip in the dirigible prior to the vessel being turned over to the United States navy are known to have been saved.
 The British losses include the fam ous air veteran, Bri. Gen. E. M. Matt land and all the other officers on board, except Lieutenant Wann, the commander of the ZR2.
 Thousands Witness Tragedy
 Starting from Howden Tuesday morning on a test flight to Pullman, the big aircraft had been afioat for 34 hours at times in bad weather, and was returning to the Pullman airdrome at the time of the disaster, which constitutes the most terrible of it's kind in peace times.
 The ZR-2, sister ship of the famous R-34, the first dirigible to cross the Atlantic was on her final test trip prior to being accepted by the United States navy and taken across the ocnnai- ally trained for that purpose. She was 695 feet long and was built to carry a crew of 30 Her speed was estimated at 70 miles an hour.
 While flying at about 900 feet over Hull. spectators saw the ZR-2 seem ingly buckle amidship and plunge downward over the city and into the Humber river One theory of the cause of the disaster is that while the ship's rudders were being tested the giant craft took a sharp turn, which caused the framework to buckle and that the explosion of a gasoline tank completed the tragedy of the air. The actual cause, however, may never be known A rumor had been afloat for some days that the ZR-2 was struct- urally weak but this was stoutly denied by all in authority.
 Tens of thousands of spectators saw several men climb outside the balloon and drop from the falling mass. which was enveloped in smoke, and others jumped into the Humber as the crip pied craft came over the water. As the dirigible struck, the wreckage above water it was burning and there was slight chance for any of the men caught inside to escape.
 Lo
 Tugs immediately put out into the stream and brought ashore the five survivors who were taken in ambu lances to hospitals. Among these was the American quartermaster. N. O Walker, who died soon after reaching the hospital from burns.
 Lieutenant Little was rescued from the debris alive, but died on reaching the inflrmary A rescue tug pulled another American out of the water He was dead Inside of his coat wa: the name Commander MaXfield."
 Early and incorrect reports were tC the effect that Lieutenant Esterly hat been saved One member of the res cuing party said that when they go alongside the burning airship the pile of the tug asked for volunteers t' board one part that still was almos intact Jumping upon the wrecka-5e the rescuers ripped open part of thu fabric. while parts of the debris wer pulled away by means of ropes. Th task was a hazardous one bec2us one of the balloonettes still was fille' with gas and another explosion wa feared.
 Balloon Turns over
 Among the wreckage an America naval man was to be seen hangin by his coat to a girder in the fram of the airship. It was believed he wa dead, owing to the peculiar position c the body, which was not recovered Another rescuer said one was hangin to the tail of the ship, apparently III injured, while another was found fioa ing in the water Both of them wer saved While the rescuers were 2 work the ballon began to turn owe and the rescue party had to return the tug.
 When first seen from Hull. the ZR' was approaching the city, comin from a southeasterly direction owe the Humber When sailing on a even keel above the city according some eye witnesses, huge cloud ( dense smoke burst from the tail of tn aipcraft It was thought the zR-2 wa
 IL