The New York herald., 1922-07-28
Sighted at Governors Island
Two Hours Late on Trip
From Washington.
DISAPPOINTS BROADWAY
Uptown 'Searchlights Fail to
Show Night Ship Which
Sails Away in Fog.

The army dirigible C-2, which set
out shortly before o'clock yesterday
afternoon from Washington for a
fight to this city and return-con-
tinuous flying distance of 450 miles
failed to reach Broadway, last night
for theater time.
1t pushed out of the thick haze into
the rays Of big searchlights at 1895
o'clock this morning. This was at the
Battery, where observers from Gov
ernors Island first caught her. The
blimp appeared to be nosing up to-
ward Manhattan at the time. and half
an hour later reappeared, and 1t was
believed that Capt. William f. KEEP
ner, the dirigible commander, had de-
cided to turn back for the capital.
Crowds gathered along Broadway and
in Fifth avenue about 10 o'clock, at
tracted by the long beams Of the search
lights which had then begun to scour
the night. ~
Crowds Disappointed.
In front OF the Public Library at For
ty-sccond street and Fifth avenue a
searchlight had been set up. and movie
camera men took UP stations there in
the hope Of catching sight Of the craft.
They remained more than an hour and
then packed up and went home.
From over Broadway another big
searchlight kept lighting the heavy mist
that lowered over the city, and people
still craned their necks slxyward. After
theater crowds Joined the watchers,
but by midnight hope of the blimp's ap-
pearance was abandoned for the most
part and the streets cleared.
The flight had been timed in the
hope that the blimp would make bow
above Broadway between 10 80 and IL
o'clock, the demonstration having been
planned with a view to interesting the
public in sustained flight and the air
mail service. 1t was indicated In the
advance announcements that the blimp' 8
successful trip would mean the inaugu-
ration of regular night flying by air
mail, which would greatly increase the
scope Of that service, as night flights are
not now prescribed.
Turns I'm Spotlight.
No word was received from the men
aboard the blimp, but the craft ap-
peared to be operating properly as 1t
nosed over the Battery and made a
sweeping turn in the spotlight of the
beacons. The pace was moderate, and
as slowly as she CROPPED in out OF the
darkness of the hagbor the CO heeled
over and-put her course back for Wash
ington. When first observed she was so
high as to be barely distinguishable in
- ttxo r-hl tC III
Capt. Kepner drew her nose down and
she swan TO q nearer altitude, several
hundred feet above the bay.
The c. left Boiling Field. Washing
ton, at 4 :55 o'clock yesterday afternoon.
and at 8 80 o'clock last night was re-
ported over Delaware. The time con-
sumed up to the minute she was sighted
at Governors Island in the up fight was
Z hours and 40 minutes
Special arrangements for lighting
Broadway and other parts OF midtown
Manhattan had been made. The ship
was to have made a side trip over
Boyle's Thirty Acres.
Sent out No Call.
The c. Is 1872 feet in length. "a feet
In diameter. and carries 10000 cubic
feet of hydrogen gas. Her engine
strength fs TWO loV-horsepoWer WTlsH'
motors Major Horace M. Hickam, chief
Of the information division OF the army
air service. was in charge Of the local
arrangements.
Preparations had been made at
Mitchell Field. which is an army air
mail post. for the reception of the blimp
in case halt was necessary. The CO
sent out no CALI to the field or else
where, so far as appeared. for aid and
let events take a sedate course. The
visit to Manhattan lasted half an hour,
and few Broadwayites who had per-
sistently stood by caught sight OF the
visitor About / o'clock Capt. Kepner
swerved about and set Off In the night.