Evening star., 1924-10-11
VOYAGE OF zR-3
DELAYED FOR DAY
Commander Discovers at
Last Minute That DirigibIe
Has Too Much Cargo.
By the Associated Press.

By the Associated Press.
FRIEDRICHSHAFE Germany. Oc-
tober 1.-THE flight Of thte Zeppelin
ZR-5 from Friedrichshafen to Lake
hurst, N. J., the start of which had
been announced for this morning
was suddenly postponed at the last
minute until o'clock tomorrow
morning.
While no formal statement was
forthcoming from the management of
the Zeppelin works. where the great
dirigible was built for the United
States Navy, it was apparent that DR..
Hugo Eckener, director of the works
and commander of the ship. had dis
covered that the ZR-3 was loaded
with more weight than it could COM
fortably carry.
DR.. Eckener claimed that the at
mospherc lifting power this morning
was such that a successful start was
precluded. and he Immediately after
ward ordered quantities of gasoline
and ballast jettisoned.
Even taking out a ton and a half
of gasoline, however IaiieG to tighten
the ship enough so she would float as
she should, and DIR. Eckener eX-
planned that the rising temperature
was hindering the dirigibles lifting
power.
Fuel Weighs 81 Tons.
AS every ounce of gasoline may be
required to propel the vessel in the
event of rough weather. he deemed it
best to postpone the hop-off rather
than further reduce his fuel supply,
which as the dirigible- stood in it's
hangar this morning weighed about
EN41r
for cooler weather and consequently
more buoyancy when he endeavors to
take off tomorrow.
The postponement was disap-
pointment to~thousands Of early
risers who had besieged the hangar
since dawn, confident that the start
would be made at 1880 o'clock as
announced last night. The official
parting ceremonies were already
under way and the local band had
struck up it's last farewells when
for postponement.
Likely to Fly South.
The commanders intention of fol-
lowing the southern route on the
flight adds to the length of the voy-
age, but unless he is assured Of more
auspicious atmospheric conditions
over the northern lane ne VIII point
the nose of the ZR-3 first toward the
Bay of Biscay, thence flying over
northern Spain, the Azores and Ber-
muda.
Four American officers will be
aboard when the start is made: Capt.
George w. Steele, who is to command
the ZR-3 after it is turned over at
Lakehurst to the Navy; Lieut.. Comdr.
S. NJ krauss, who is to serve as
engineer officer; Comdr. Jacob III.
Klein, jr, who has charge of the
Naval Air Station at Lakehurst, and
Mai. F. M. Kennedy, observer for the
Army.
May Go Over WashinEton.
AS the cool weather gives the air
ship more lifting power, DR.. Eckner
explained, efforts probably will be
made to get away by am, before
the temperature begins TO rise with
the sun. 1t is estimated that with the
rise of each degree the ships lifting
power is reduced approximately 600
pounds. Consequently the dirigible
today will be stripped of all excess
weight, including some of the Ameri-
cans baggage.
In the event the southern route is
followed it is likely that the dirigible
will reach the coast region of the
United States near Charleston, 8. c.,
instead Of New York. In that event
airship prior to the mooring at Lake
hurst.
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