Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1921-12-22
Blimp Roma Wings
Way to Christening
at National Capital

II, Cs =
army arship, Roma, fought her way
for five hours and a half against a
head wind from Langley Field, Va,
to Washington today, to be christen-
ed and put in commission officially
by Miss Fonerose Wainwright,
daughter of the assistant secretary
Of war, who broke a bottle of liquid
air on the great semi-rigid airships
prov.
Secretary Weeks, Secretary DENLY
and Senator Ricci, the Italian am
bassador who participated in the
ceremonies, We're to have taken a
flight in her over the city and TO
Baltimore with other invited guests,
but the wind was rising steadily with
gale proportions threatening. SO Ma
jor General Patrick, chief of the army
air service, ordered the Roma back
to her hangar at Langley Field as
soon as she could be refuelled.
The great dolphin-llke craft of the
air arrived at Boiling Field at noon
and left at $50, scurrying home with
the wind behind her in two hours
and 40 minutes.
A crowd of guests and officers Of
the two air services awaited the ar
rival of the army's new semi rigid.
the largest lighter than air ship in
this country, at Boiling Field from 3
o'clock. Flights Of planes left the
field from time to time to search out
the great ship, which was continual
ly reported by radio as approaching
from the Southeast but did not ap-
pear. Finally, she was reported, as
over Alexandria. progressing slowly
against a stiff head wind with three
of her motors frozen.
Suddenly, toward the Southwest
there appeared great. dull grey
shape scarcely distinguishablc
against the plate colored sky. 1t
was the Roma--a massive, fat dirigi-
BILE moving a little toward the east.
Gradually her bulk doomed up and
she swung toward the west, heading
directly for the field, with her mo-
tors roaring deafeninsly. Approach
ing quite low, she finally reached
the center of the field, put her nose
down and slowly settled.
A door in the "V'' shaped keel near
the bow flew open and a great coil OF
rope dropped to the handling crew
below. All hands took hold and slow
ly the great craft came to earth.
Then followed the christening by
Miss Wainwright, who broke the bot
tie of liquid air. 1t flew into Il blush
grey cloud of vapor as the glass
crashed. The old ensign was then re-
placed by a new one presented by TIC
Italians and hoisted high on the stern
over her curious box-lil,e rudder.
Speaking for the Italian govern
ment, where the ship was designed
and built, Ambassador Ricci expressed
his pleasure that America should have
bought the great scmi-rigid ship. and
Secretary Weeks in accepting 1t Off
cially for the war department said the
pleasure and opportunity were rather
his. that the army should be SC fort
innate in securing a ship developed
by the skill of Italian craftsmen.
Gen. Patrick then ordered the ield
cleared and the ship. gassed and re-
balanced for homewafd flight.
As soon as she was clear of the field
the "let co. signal was given and
the cables hauled up. She slowly
forged ahead into the wind, turning %
the southeast as she reached the edge
Of the field.
At a height Of few hundred feet
the engines were speeded up and, as
sisted by the wind, she began hec
homeward trip at a fast clip. disap-
nearing over the hills to the south.