The Washington herald., 1921-08-08
MAMMOTH AIRSHIP
BULTFOR us. NAVY
WILL VISIT CITIES
ZR-2, Due to Cross Ocean
Aug. Is, Will Demon
strate Its Power.

Practically every large city in
the country will pe given an oppor-
tunity to view the WORLDS larges;
airship, the United States navy
ZR-2. soon after her arrival from
the cross-Atls ntic fight which is
due to start the 26th of this month
Il was learned from the Navy De-
partment.
To secure countrywide Interest
for the efforts of the navy TO keep
the United states in the van OF AIR
offensive power. which the acqus-
sition OF the mammoth airship now
gives. cross-continent flights will
be made both for training and prop
aganda purposes, II was stated.
Lacks Money for Building.
Construction Of the hangar Of
Lakehurst. y. J.. to house the
ZR-2 now affords for the first time
an opportunity to build IN this
country airships superior TO inc
British and German types but ap-
propriations are lacking.
Naval officers believe that with
practical demonstration OF the ire
mendous potential power OF the
ZR-2, coming or the heels OF sue
cess of the air forces In the re-
cent bombing tests. the country
will be so awakened to the heeds
OF air feet maintenance that Con-
crees will be forced to make Gener-
Gus appropriations for future build
ing.
what formidable factor the
giant airship would he In any naval
or land war vas revealed yesterday
with the OFFICIAL announcement ny
the Navy Department of facts con-
nected with her construction.
Could Destroy Any City.
Larger by 100000 cubic feet than
the Zeopelin LII which the GER
mans built to bomb New York city.
enabling her to carry the mos'
nowerful bombs known. and pos
sessinC a cruising radius OF 500"
r,iles the destruction of the Capi :
tai city OF any world power couid
he accomplished by the ZR-Z' II
unopposed.
To AFFORD a popular understand
ing Of the tremendous size OF the
airship the Navy Department gives
III. Following comparisons:
TT the ZR-2 were placed IN
Times Square, New York City. II
would almost comnle:ely fill It, the
reno-t states. There would only
h. a few feet to spare at each END
and the top OF the ship would De
;ust sbout on a level with the Astor
roof" , 49,.
onlv o5 feet less in width than
the CAPITOL Building in Washing
tom. the airship. II stood on enn'
would be $50 feet higher than the
washington Monument and pracu :
caIIv the same height as the WOOL
worth Building. itHis stated.
speed Of IS Miles an Hour
Some idea Of the EXPENSIVE mate
risls entering into her construction
can he gained. the Navy Department
exr'~ins by the fact that the gold
hoa,ers skins which line the gas
hays containing the hydrogen gas
necessitated the slaughter OF boV'o"0
COWS. These skins are obtained from
tho outer covering OF the intestine
Of COW and there is but one Gold
heater skin to each COW that is
Slaughtered.
Her motive power conslsts OF s'A
$50 n. T. Sunbeam Cossack motors
located in six power cars. giving
her a speed of IS miles an hour
under full pressure and 80 miles an
hour at cruising speed.
She carries 10000 gallons Of gaso-
line.
On her trip across the Atlantic
the ZR-o will never be out Of com
munication with the shore. for the
radio set with which she is equipped
has a radius of moro than l.SOV
miles. A wireless telephone and
radio direction finding set also part
Of the electrical equipment
Carries Crew Of 20.
The crew consists Of twentY-siH
) men. including a captain. executive
officer. navigator. engineer omcer
; radio officer. meteorological officer
three watch officers. sixteen me-
chanics and ten riggers.
The crews quarters are located il
the keel-way. This keel-way is
long corridor extending the lengtr
: of the ship about eight feet wide
and seven feet high. There are TWO
: large spaces enclosed in this keel
way, which are used as quarters
: one forward for the officers and one
;. aft for the men.
The quarters are equipped with
! comfortable chairs, tables. benches
and a Victrola with a good assort'
ment of records Each bunk i:
equipped with fur lined sleeping
Il bag but in summer months these
, are not necessary.
} The food for the crew is cooked
by the hot exhaust flames from
!. ! the motors and the menus an
= nounced by the Navy Department