The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1924-01-25
Shenandoah Demonstrated Abil-
Ity to Stand Bad Weather
THE TRIP 10 NORTH POLE
ehenandoah Justified Claims And
Qualified For Polar Trip, He
Declares Coincidence
Restored.

Washington The navy dlrlgl-
Bile Shenandoah had "made good"
for its coming fight to the North
Pole, Secretary of the Navy DENLY
said.
Denby said:
..The midnight fight of the Shenan-
doah has demonstrated what the Navy
Department has always believed; first,
that the mooring facilities are ade-
Quats in most unusual weather; sec
cnd, that so long as she is fueled and
provfsfoned the Shenandoah is safe in
her natural element, the air.
"As soon as we learned that her en-
ginesxwere turning over we had no
cause for alarm. OF course, there were
possibilities Of an ugly character, due
% the TACT that she broke away from
her. mast, and we did not know
whether or not the fabric on the nose
Of the ship had been torn away
"If 1t had been, it might have been
difacu1t to fly her into the wind, and
It was necessary at least to quarter in
che wind to get back to Lakehurst.
AS 1t turned out. the fabric was not
tern, the mooring ring having been
broken. So far as we know, the ship
weathered the severest gale any ship
has encountered at q mooring mast.
1--WE have records of rigids riding
out 60, miles, and even more. The
Shenandoah held until the wind
reached 6S miles velocity. then it took
the air lust exactly as a ship slips
her cable in a aharbor. and put to sea
20 ride out bad weather. The demon
stration, was most striking, and the
demonstration of the skill and ability
Of her officers and men NO less pleas
ing.
From all our information, 1t may be
asserted with positive certainty that
there Is hardly possibility that this
snip will encounter in her Arctic ex-
petition any test SO severe as that she
has already met successfully"
Today the whole Navy Flying Corps
d cheering the Shenandoah and her
piucky crew, and is willing to back her
TO go anywhere in any weather.
All suspicion that the dirigible is
only ~fair-weather'' ship has been
killed.
I'VE know she would come bach"
eaid Admiral Moffett, just after he had
received word from Lakehurst that the
Shenandoah was safe in her hangar.
sBut," he added, we're mighty glad
TO get this message"
Moffett at once asked all radio sta
lions along the Eastern coast in the
vicinity where the Shenandoah was
adrift to remain silent so as not to
interfere with messages from the air
ship. He called all hands at all naval
stations near by to stand by" to be Of
any possible aid. He ordered all naval
flying craft at such stations to be
ready to take the air at dawn.
Then came a message from Lieuten-
anti Commander Pierce, aboard the
Shenandoah:
. Ak O.- n. 1NAUAA6 Jul StQkNA. kApAA-
ing our own. Over New Brunswick.
N. J. Verify position. Send US wealth
o. Information.
That was the navy spirit speaking
It cheered Moffett up.
Messenger through the hours told Of
the diristblA's appearance over various
points In New Jersey. At $50 A. M.
she was over Freehold, N. ]. At 2
A. n. philadelphia sent an intercepted
message from theyship: How about
conditions for landing now?"
At $50 A. NJ. came word from Lake
hurst !. that the ship was over the
hangar. and preparing to attempt a
landing.
Moffstt was asked whether the Shen-
andoah.s adventure would adversely
AFFECT the proposed North Pole trip.
mot bit OF It." he said. I'VE were
Nesting the Shenandoah for All wealth
or conditions That's why we had her
moored to the mast She seems to me
70 have met the test 100 per cent"
DEppER RETURNS COAL BILL