New-York tribune., 1922-10-18
Burning Of CT
MaySpenEnd Of
Hydrogen Craft
Destruction of Dirigible
With Injuries to Seven
and Series of Disasters
Pronpts Official Action
Plan to Use Only Heliunl
Will Seek Appropriation for
Sufficient Non : Infam.
mable Gas for Service

From, The 7Trl6uns's Washfngton Bsrsuu
WASHINGTON, Oct. IT, The de-
struction by fire OF the army .dirigible
ca at San Antonio, Tex, to-day un-
doubtedly marks the Disappearance Of
the last lighter-than-air craft sup
ported with infammable hydrogen
This determination by government Off
cials is forced by the quick succession
of disasters to ships Of this type dur
ing the last two years, it was officially
stated to-day.
The C-2 caught fire just before she
was scheduled to start on an exhibi-
tion fight. She was en- route from
California to Langley Field, Virginia
The wind caused tear in the enve.
Hope and the hydrogen gas Immediately
caught FIRE. Seven men were injured
lin escaping from the craft, which had
| not left the hangar. .s
Heliuul, the 1on-infammable gas, the
only known supply Of which is owned
sss sssssss ss a;iss IL sssa 4. sTsls sss:
Iofs this type of aireraft If the Secre.
taries of War and Navy have their way.
Everything in this direction depends,
of course, upon Congress, but all pos
sible pressure, 1t was said, will, be
exerted to obtain sufficient appropria-
|stions to supply enough of the helium
gas to meet all the needs Of the serv-
ices.
New Craft 20 Use Helium.
Designs for airships now building
all call for the use OF helium gas. The
huge dirigible being built for the navy
at Lakehurst, N J., and the Zeppelin
being constructed at sFriedrichshafen.
Germany, for the United States, under
the reparations agreement, both will
use the non-indammable xas. The
three airships of the G. type being built
for the army at Akron, Ohio. are also
designed for the same purpose.
Itewas officially explained to-day that
the reason helium was not used in the
C-2 was because cf its impracticability.
that ship not having been designed for
this gas, which has only so per cent
Of the Lifting power Of hydrogen. To
offset this In the new ships larger
bag capacity is provided.
Air service oficers say it would have
been impossible for the ca to have
made it's transcontinental fight east
ward had It been inflated with helium.
On the other hand, they say, BY MAX
ing the flight with hydrogen many val
liable lessons were learned and much
information gained that will assist en-
gineers in constructing helium ships.
! Reports ON MishapS
The following radiogram was re-
ceived here late this afternoon from
Major ~, A. Strauss, the commanding
officer Of the C-2: Il 3 :.
"C-2 completely destroyed while man
euyering from hangar at 9.15 this
morning. Cross hangar wind of fifteen
miles with oceasional stronger gusts;
Handling crew OF 100 men. When ship
was approximately one-half out Of
hangar strong gusts forced ship to
ground. Orders given to snaneuve1
ship back into hangar immediately
After maneuyer started section Of fab
Fix sixfeet In meter, to which hand
| ling guys and patches were secured
pulled out, followed by breaking Of twc
windward handling guys, then followed
by falling of OF patches of third wind.
ward handling guy. Ship went 10 lee.
ward into hangar door, resulting ii
lcpntiausd On paps Ski