The L'Anse sentinel., 1924-02-08

-A -ZR-l-will point her head toward
Polaris and Aurora Borealis in the
spring and majestically sail away
into the Arctic. So says Rear Adm-
raj William a. Moffett. chief of the
bureau Of aeronautcs of the United
States Navy department. When and
where she will start and where she
will go-these details have not been
announced at this writing.
Shenandoah, nevertheless will carry with her
the good wishes Of the millions OF Americans who
Will never forget the sight Of her in the air,
sailing In majesty over their heads-a sight
strongly suggestive OF the supernatural even in
this materialistlc age surfeited with mechanical
and scientific marvels And news by radio of
her progress will be frst-page news
Shenandoah's journey into the Arctic stimu-
ntes the Imagination nightly. For the Arctic
Is no less region Of mystery by reason Of the
fact that Peary nailed Old Glory TO the Pole"
April q, 1909. II Is the same region Of fascina-
tion for the adventurous that IL has been since
the day Of Erick the Red and his Icelanders 800
years ago. The long list of illustrious explorers
VINO nave made Arctic history calls up many
romance, many an achievement. many a tragedy.
Troblsher G576), Davis Q5sj), Baffn (1616). Ross
QSlO, Parry Gs19), Ross Os29) Franklin
uSi5J, De Haven t1SJO), Kane (1s53), Hayes
GSGD), Greedy GSsI. De Long C1S7s) Norden-
skiold QS79), Nansen (1s93) are some of these
adyenturers into the Arctic.
II was Stefansson who taught the world that
the efficient Arctic explorer could live off the
country, instead Of carrying his supplies. 1t was
Peary who most fully utilized the aid Of the Es-
kiIno. 1t was Wellman who planned a voyage
to the Pole in drigble balloon, the America.
What does Admiral Moffett hope or expect or
seek 10 find? He did not say. He made more
than the bare announcement. Possibly, like the
rest Of u.s. he wants TO press on toward the un-
Known 10 look the next ridge. But II Is
more likely that the commander ana crew OF the
y,fn Ia,-o Ia, -.
Is It to take possession Of Wrangell Island in the
name Of the United States? Is II to discover
unknown lands, rich in mineral treasures? Incl
dentay, Capt. Road Amundsen. dscoverer OF
the, South Pole. plans expedition of three air
planes next summer from the Spitzbergen islands
across TO Alaska, and he says that in the one
million square miles Of unexplored expanse be-
tween the North Pole and Alaska there is land.
with coal and gold Again, Knut Rasmussen has
started on a sled journey through the Behring
strait Of 5000 miles; he expects to find Eskimo
who have never a white man.
Millions Of Americans have gazed in awe and
fascination upon the ZR1. On her first trial trip
In September from Lakehurst, ~ j. she visited
New York. little later she made a trip to
Washington, circng Mount Vernon and dip
ping low over the Unknown Soldiers" tomb at
Arlington. October 3 she finished round trip TO
et. Louis. Navy day she few to the Shenandoah
valley in Virginia and returned passing over Phil
sdelpha. Washington and Richmond.
Commander ]. c. Hunsacker ana Commander
Ralph ID. Weyerbacher Of the Naval Construction
corps are codesigners Of the ZR-1. Commander
Frank n McCrary Is commandant of the naval
air station at Lakehurst. Mrs Edwin Denby
wife OF the secretary Of the navy. christened the
ZR-1 Shenandoah in October. noteworthy Incl
dent Of the Lakehurst-St. Louis flight was the
dropping by parachute by Commander weyer-
hacker of a bouquet to his mother as Shenandoah
passed over Boonville. Ind.
Another thing that added interest to this cross
country trip Of Shenandoah was that the people
knew Admiral Mofett board His name
Is household word in the West for the reason
that he was In command during the World wn
OF the Great Lakes Naval station, which turnet
out many thousands Of efficient "gobs."
Another interesting thing that the people d
not know was that one Of the crew is Norman @
Walker, Texan, who a rigger on the ZR-
when that giant dirigible dropped in flames int
the Humber two years ago. Sixty-two of hi
companions perished and he was the only Amer
cus survivor. He climbed up on the shell nea
the taii-cup and jumped into the river as IN
wreck was aboo. to strike the water
II was originally planned that the United state
should have three ships Of the ZR-1 type. ZR.
was purchased from the British and on her ar,
trial flight In England met witt "A tragic end m,
shocked the world xn-S q. at this writing ORA