The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1921-08-25
CONTINUED from Page one)

oonettes was still filled with gas and
another explosion was feared.
Among the wreckage an American
naval man was to be seen hanging py
ais coat to girder in the frame OF the
alrship. It was believed he was dead.
owing to the peculiar position Of the
body which was not recovered. An
other rescuer said one was hanging
into the tail OF the chip apparently
nninjured, while another was found
floating in the water. Both OF them
were saved
While the rescuers were at work
the balloon began to turn over and the
rescue party had to return to the tug.
When first seen from Hull the zR-2
was approaching the city, coming
from a southeasterly direction over
the Humber toward Hull. When sail
ing on an even keel above the city,
according to some eye witnesses,
huge cloud OF dense smoke burst from
the tail OF the aircraft. 1t was thought
the zR-2 was sending out a smoke
screen as an exhibition, but to the
horror of thousands Of spectators, it
was seen she had broken in two and
was taking a tremendous nose dye,
which apparently would bring hor
down In the thronged streets.
Then there came q loud explosion
and a great crash. followed by another
explosion, which was accompanied by
the breaking Of glass in the windows
on land. the whole being reminiscent
Of war times. when German airships
bombed Hull and explosions shook
the whole town. Today's conclusion
was so great that 1t wrecked windows
over an area OF about q mile square.
Some spectators assert that the air
ship began to buckle before any flams
or explosion was seen or heard. Tho
broken halves Of the ZR-2 reached the
water nearly a mile apart. The gem
eral opinion OF the public OF Hull Is
that the commander OF the airship
accomplished a remarkable feat OF
bravery In diverting the descent 50
that 1t Would fall into the water in
stead OF in the crowded streets.
1t was q moment OF terror for tho
populace when the disaster occurred.
People in the streets rushed madly to
cover. fearing that the massive wreck
would fall upon and crush them. The
terror gave way, however to horror
as the wreck plunged into the middle
Of the river near the corporation pier
During the fall of the airship three
members Of the crew were observed
making thrilling parachute descent.
They came down into the river where
they were rescued by small boats. All
who jumped from the falling craft
lost their lives. They had no chance
for escape. for the water was covered
with burning gasoline and the heat
from the burning wreckage was so in
tease that even the rescuers exper-
icaccd tie greatest difficulty in APP
preaching for some time. Barges,
trawlers and small boats thronged
around the debris willing to render
any possible assistance.
Immediately after the disaster telo-
phone messages came from distances
up fifty miles reporting that the people |
had felt an earthquake shock.
Among those on board the airship |
we're the designer OF the ZR-2, Super /
Intendent Warren. of the works where /
she was built and Flight officers
Wicks and Matheson.
zR-2 closely resembled her sister
ship, the R-34 which sailed across the
Atlantic in July 1919. although she
was Al feet longer and feet greater
n diameter than the R-34. Her gaso-
Inc capacity also was greater than
hat OF her sister ship and she had |
! cruising radius OF 5000 miles in con-
.rast with 1900 miles credited to the
R. "a.
II had been estimated that the ZR-2
would be able to cross the 5000 miles
o the American continent in from 8
o 4 days whereas the R-34 had oc-
,upied nearly five days in her voyage.
Brigadier- General Maitland who
net death in the disaster today was
mo Of the officers who made the
transatlantic voyage in the RS4. He
las been in charge OF the trials OF
he zR-2. 1t was recalled today how
he American members of the crew
Il the zR-2 recently had chafed over
he decision of General Maitland not
o permit the giant craft to leave
iowden until sailing conditions were
'erfect. Maitland was criticized
more or less for what was considered
yer -cautiousness.
Like the zR-2 the RIA ended her
areer In disaster. She was cut in
wo by n violent wind and left a
wreck outside her airdrome near Edin-
urgh In January, 1921.
This vessel had had a thrilling ex-
erienoe on her trans Atlantic flight,
nd the collapse Of the zR-2 would
Gem to have afforded General Matt
md some justification for his hesi-
lncy in sending the Americans across
cas- with the zR-2 in the face Of ,
odds. I,
In the construction OF the zR-2 it !
as thought that many OF the serious
elects Of the smaller ship had been
The vessel underwent daily
olishing or cleansing and engineers
ssted and repaired the six engines.
ie ringers inspected the controls, gas {
ags. valves, the outer cover and thin |