The Washington herald., 1921-08-25

Consequently Americas loss at
the most cannot be more than
100000. In event the British gov
eminent has insured the dirigible,
even that loss may be avoided.
whether this money, or the un-
expended portion OF the 100000
appropriated by Congress for the
ZR-2's PURCHASE can be diverted TO
the cost Of the ZR-I. Is q question.
Fear that future airship construc-
ton by this country may be ham
pered by the untimely accident to
the zR-2 is entertained in naval
quarters, although 1t is pointed out
that the loss should be an argu1
ment In favor of renewed efforts.
May Ask for New ships.
At the very moment that reports
of the tragedy was coming over
on the cable, Admiral W. A. Moffat.
ignorant of what had occurred. was
ar pearing before the Congressional
committee in an appeal for added
authorization to proceed with the
navy's aeronautic program. Be-
sides the completion of the ZR-1. an
entirely new ship TO replace the
ZR-s should be started, officials
believe.
The Era was the largest Of her
kind. She was 700 feet long. and
her cigar-shaped bag was IS feet
In diameter. The gas capacity, D.
100000 cubic feet, furnished a lift
ing power of 81 gross tons, Is tons
of which consisted OF crew, cargo,
fuel and ornaments. The R-34.
which twice crossed the Atlantic.
had a gas capacity of 100000 cubic
feet. while that of the ZR-1 will be
100000.
Driven by six Motors.
The ZR-2's motive power con-
sisted OF six $50 horsepower Sun
beam Cossack motors located in six
separate power carriages and cap
able of driving the huge craft at
a cruising speed Of sixty miles per
hour with a maximum speed Of be-
tween seventy-five and eighty miles.
Under favorable conditions she was
expected to cross the Atlantic in
two days and still have enough
'rel left to proceed to the Pacific
Coast.
Aside from the material loss re-
sulting from the ZR-2's destruction.
the death Of the American members
of the crew will be keenly felt.
These picked officers and mechanics
had been undergoing thorough
raining. both in operating the craft
and dirigible construction. for more
than six months
DENLY Sends Coincidence.
Britain's loss is also almost ire
parable. especially IL Capt A. II.
wann, in charge of the instruction
of the American crew and Brig.
Gen. Maitland succumb. Capt. Wann
is reported badly injured.
Upon receipt Of the news. Secre-
tary Of Navy DENLY sent the fol-
lowing cable of coincidence to the
American Naval Attache for trans
mission to the admiralty:
The Navy Department of the
United States extends to the air
ministry and the British navy deep
est sympathy in the appalling dis
aster to the ZR-2. We hope our
early reports will prove exagger-
ated as to loss OF life"
The tragic destruction of the
ZR-2, spectacular and sudden as II
appeared, was not entirely unex-
rected by officials and others who
have followed the construction of
the monster airshfp on both this
and the other side of the Atlantic.
Since her first trial fight. July IL,
unconcealed apprehension as to the
ZR-2's success was evidenced in
England. During her initial trip
from Cardington. where she was
constructed. defects in construction
became evident.
These were not surprising though.
because of radical departures in de-
sign from the Rae and similar
types of dirigibles which had proved
SO successful. Presumably. because
of buckling amidships, the ZR-2
was rapidly berthed after her frst
fight. Her framework was rein
forced and other alterations. the
nature of which were not divulged.
were made.
Delay Caused Conjecture.
Continual rumors persisted at the
air ministry and admiralty circles
In London. however. that the gov
eminent was far from satisfied at
the showing. Brig. Gen. Maitland's
continued refusal to turn over the
airshjp to the American crew, who
were chafing at the delays, caused
no little conjecture. Regarded as
an unusually cautious officer, Malt
land declared his intention OF hold
ing the big ship in England even