Evening star., 1924-11-26
LOS ANGELES SAFE At HOME
AFTER CHRISTENING in CAPITAL
Giant DirigibLe Returns to Lakehurst Under Ne,t
Name BESTOWED by Mrs. Coolidee-Mmy Not
ables at Cerenony-FIight Satisfactory.

was comfortable within, considering
the cold outside augmented by the
rush of the wind created by the ships
speed. Over Baltimore. the passen-
gers went back to the ships galley"
and obtained hot coffee and other food
which they ate more than a thousand
feet above the ground.
Crashes Through Fog.
At exactly 1850 o'clock yesterday
afternoon the ZR-3, as she then was
known, crashed through the fog and
darkness that penetrated the north
eastern part Of the city and rapidly
moved into an area of blue and
sunlight-the first she encountered
on her 200-mile journey. AS the sun
played against the gray sides the
vessel Immediately assumed silver
nue. and the outer envelope, stretched
none too tightly over the duralumin
frame. tapped back and forth in the
breeze-the entire ship scintilla ting
against the blue background.
with only the port and starboard
forward motors turning over. the
ship headed for the field. displaying
huge white star with a red center
on a field of blue. On her sides in
large blue letters appeared ~. S.
Navy, and toward the tail was an
other star. Between this star and
the rudder in smaller blue letters
was written Los Angeles"
For almost two hours the big ship
new over the city, affording every
one in every section a close view Of
its splendor. Then she passed down
the river and lowered over Mt
vernon FOR many minutes until called
to the field by radio, when the Pres
ident and Mrs. Coolidge arrived at the
station via the Mayfiower barge from
the navy yard. Heading for the
southern end of the field, Comdr
Klein dived the ship into the wind
and maneuvered it at right angles to
the flying field.
Trouble I'm Landing.
AS the motors were shut off the
ship rapidly descended-too light
Comdr. Klein rang on the engines and
big circle, taking in the Steel Plant,
was made and again the ZR-3 settled
Tor landing, about a half mile be-
low the Presidential stand. This time
a trap door In the bow opened and
out dropped two lines to which were
attached many leaders. They were
grabbed by part of the 800 blue
jackets composing the ground force
under the direction Of Lieut. Charles
f. Rosendahl of Lakehurst. and the
jackies began tugging away. But one
of the main lines broke and orders
were given to let go the other. The
ship was too high and still to light.
The third swing around the Steel
Plant brought her in the desired
position, but she couldn't get low
enough. Then she settled down to OBJ
tain equilibrium-not heavy enough
to descend or light enough to rise.
Admiral MoTett. although observing
the patience exhibited by the crowds
on the Army and Navy side, never
theless sent radio message to
Comdr. Klein to land, even though it
was necessary to valve out some Of
the precious helium. 1t was eX-
plained that il the ship remained
aloft after the sun went down the
sudden change In temperature would
make IT possible to land without
losing any OF the precious gas.
Loses Valuable Gas.
Comdr. Klein then parted with
some of the gas-the amount was
unknown. but it was said that the
value OF the invisible gas that was
liberated would purchase several
houses and lots and automobiles.
Heavier now than at any time since
leaving the hangar at Lax ehurst, she
made fourth dive for the field and
this time was secured by the forward
lines. AS it slowly approached the
earth. trap door in the stern opened
and two more lines with leaders We're
thrown out. In a few minutes the
ship was pulled to the ground, still
about a half mile from the grand
stand. The President. who had been
waiting for more than an hour.
walked down to the vicinity Of the
ship while the ground force prepare ed
to walk" it up to the stands With
the cabin and stern motor gondola
only foot or two above the ground,
the monster airship was towed to a
distance of 100 yards from the grand
stand where the ceremonies of chris
tening and commissioning were per-
formed.