The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1921-08-24
BLAST WRECKS
AIRSHIP zR-2
ON TRIAL TRIP
Dirigible Explodes Over Hull,
England-Part Of Crew Es-
capes in Parachutes-Cap-
tain Saved.
FIND TWELVE BODIES
tBy Associated Press)

tBy Associated Press)
HULL, England, Aug. "a
Disaster overlook the giant
dirigible ZR-2 late this after
noon. The monster ship ex-
ploded over the River Humber
here, falling into the stream a
mass of flames.
The explosion and fall brought
death to many of the officers
and men on board, among whom
were five American commits
stoned officers and nearly a
dozen other Americans of less
ranking, in addition to the regu-
lar British crew.
The number of fatalities has
not yet been definitely ascer-
tanned, but II bodies are said to
have been recovered, and it is
believed that not less than 10 on
board were saved.
On board were: Commander Louis
H. Maxfield, of Washington; Lieut..
Commander Valentine n. Bieg, OF
Bryn Mawr, Pa, Lieut.. Commander
Emory Coyl, of Marietta, o., Lieut..
Marcus H. Esterly, Washington, D. c.,
Lieut.. Henry Hoyt, of Clearwater, Fla,
and Lieut.. Charles G. Little, of New
buryport, Mass.
One of the survivors named Bate
man, of Halifax, said he was in the
tail of the ship making photographs
when the rudder was turned sharply
to the right bringing the airship from
the center OF Hull toward the Hum
ber. One of the main girders failed
to stand the strain it appeared and
! the disaster resulted.
| LONDON, Aug. 24.-The giant air
ship, ZR-2, purchased by the United
States from Great Britain, exploded
over the city of Hull today, according
| to advices received here shortly after
$50 this evening. The airship is a
| wreck in the River Humer.
| The airship was passing over Hull
in fine style when suddenly it seemed
to break in two. Instantly there were
terrific explosions and the airship
burst into flames and commenced to
descend. Three parachutes were seen
! to leave.
Thousands of the people of Hull
watched the disaster which occurred
at $40 o'clock.
| Crowds Scatter.
AS the explosion occurred they dash
| ed panic stricken in all directions, for
fear of being enveloped by the wreck
age which fell just over the Victoria
pier
Two dead and a number of injured
were landed from the river and con.
iveyed to the Hull infirmary. Burning
fragments from the airship belched
dense columns of smoke and flame
which extended for hundreds of feet
along the surface of the water.
/ Eye witnesses saw at least four men
descend from the burning airship by
parachute. Three men were seen
hanging from one parachute.
/ Blast Breaks Windows.
( The explosion was of such force as
to wreck many of the windows oi
store fronts in the center of Hull A
message from Hull received shortly
before p. m. said the airship's cap
tain had been rescued. Some bodies
the message added had been re
covered.
Tugs an dother craft of all kinds
put off from the shore for rescue
work Immediately after the disaster
twas witnessed. simultaneously q
corps of ambulances dashed to the piel
and took injured members of the crew
10 the infirmary as they were landed
! It was while the ZR-2 was cruising
over Hull that she was seen te
: emerge from the clouds and suddenly
: break in two. One portion appeared
! to arise in the air The other des
: cended ond fell into the HuIner.
Wreckage on Water.
J One explosion occurred as the shiI
was falling and another after it hac
touched the water. The wreckag,
; floated on the water about 200 yard,
: from the riverside quay and CONTINUED
TO burn. 1t is known that at leas
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