The Omaha morning bee., 1924-10-15
Zeppelin to
Reach Coal
Wednesday
Captain Steele Sends Radio
gram to Lakehurst Naval
Station; Overcomes De-
lays by Wind and Fog.
Has Plenty of Fuel Left

Air Drome, Lakehurst, y. j., Oct.
"A radiogram saying "Will arrive
Wednesday forenoon" was received at
the naval station here at 5:25 p. m
today from the ZR.3.
The message. sent by Capt. George
w. Steele. the prospective commander
of the ZR-3 and a passenger on i.s
present fight. was addressed to Maui
rice r. Pierce. acting commanding Of
fcer of Lakehurst field.
Washington, Oct. 14.-Although
thrown somewhat off its course by
quartering winds and then compelled
to turn northwestward to find good
Cable, y. s., the air cruiser ZR-3 to-
night was steadily reducing the mile
age which separated 1t from its fu-
ture home at Lakehurst, y. j., where
II expected to arrive tomorrow.
After nearly three days in the air,
the huge craft, which left Friedrichs-
haften Sunday morning. was delayed
during the day, first by head winds
and then by thick blanket of fog.
which caused IL at times to run at
reduced speed and send out queries to
surface craft and land stations for its
bearings. Later, however. upon en-
countering good weather and favor
able breeze. II was enabled 70 increase
its speed to as high as 20 milometers
'can coast
Messages received at the Navy de-
partment and at radio stations along
the coast told the story of the Yep
pelin's flirht. One received direct
from the ZR3. timed 1o:.5 a. m, de-
clared the ship was fighting strong
southwest winds and had reduced her
speed to 25 miles an hour. The posi-
ton given in this dispatch indicated
progress Of only so miles from the
position given nearly two hours
earlier.
Long Message Received.
Word that the Zeppelin had es.
capped from the unfavorahle weather
conditions was conveyed TO the Navy
department in a message received lafe
In the day from Captain Steele aboard
the craft, who will be its command
ing officer when II is formally taken
over by the United States.
Forwarded through the Radio cor
poraton OF America this message
gave the IRIS positions as about
1000 miles east of Cape Sable at
415 p. M. eastern standard time. and
said all engines were running at
cruising speed with following
breeze. and at the speed then being
maitsined the craft should reach
Lakehurst tomorrow forenoon.
Almost Immediately another mes
sage was received through the same
channels from Captain Steele giving
details. Of the flight since Monday
night. The longest message TO be re.
ceived here since the ZR-s left Ger
many. ii told OF good fuel conditions.
of passing steamers and Of rising
above the lower clouds. This mes
sage said:
"ZR-s continued during night un.
der four engines making 81 knots air
speed but held back by southwesteriy
winds TO 80 knots or less over she
ground OF course eso degrees, true.
On account OF unfavorahle local con-
ditions and reports indicating better
conditions to northward changed
course at a. m, zone three times
Is a. NJ, eastern standard time) to
northwest. weather clearing on this
course.
Plenty OF Fuel Left.
par-aa ahox.. D-{.3-A -.. -.
ert Dollar at $40. II hoisted colors
and number. Steamer President
Harding radioed last night rendering
assistance. Thank you. captain. we
don't need help yet. We have fuel
left for about 56 hours. half Of origt.
nal supply.
Rose to 5000 feet height at $50
and blew safety valve untA gas cells
contained about so per cent full Of
hydrogen. This highest took Us
above the lower clouds. Glad TO go
up where its cooler. So hot last night
hardly slept. Temperature 20 out.
side, rs in cabin. Back 10 1000 aiti-
tude at 1890. This airship s;eadiest
ever seen"
That the air cruiser would run
Into serious fog conditions was pre-
dicted by naval observers here as
soon as It's drift northwsrd was IN
dicated as the ship lane II was follow
ing from Fayai. IN the Azores. would
have carried II under normal condi-
tions within 100 miles OF the area
marked In red on all marine maps as
affected by fog so 10 ss per cent %
each year" II was regarded as prob.
able that the commander Of the ZR-S
would elect 10 drive the ship 20 higher
levels In an effort 90 escape these
fogs and perhaps continue q, a re-