Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-01-18
Officers and Crew of
Dirigible Praised for
Pluck and Skill in
Battling Elements
President Sends Mes
sage Generalization
Only Minor Dam
age to Great Airship

Washington, Jan. 17-Messages Of
lidge. Secretary DENLY. Mrs. DENLY
as sponsor OF the ship. and many
other high government officials were
showered today upon the officers and
crew of the navy dirigible Shenan-
doah for their gallant and victori-
Gus battle against last nights storm.
President Coolidge. in a message
to the officers and crew said:
II congratulate you most heartily
upon the fine exhibition OF skill dis
played by you during the storm
which caused the II. s. S. Shenando-
all. to be cast adrift from her moor
ing Wednesday night and upon your
successflr return to your base"
Nevy officers generally were jubi-
liant at the showing made not only
by this first American built rigid di-
rigible. but the pluck and skill Of
her crew. The outstanding impress
sion among all government officials
was that the accident had served to
make 1t certain that the Shenandoah
could and would successfully negoti-
ate the exploring flight through tho
Arctic regions which has been plan.
ned for her.
Some conflicting views were ex-
pressed at the capitol. however, on
the experience of tho dirigible. Rep
rcsentative French. Republican. Ida
no. chairman Of the house appropri-
atoms committees suggested COM
mittec on naval affairs. declaring
that It would tend to diminish con-
gressional criticism OF proposed
flights to the north pole while in the
senate there was q debate which
considered the test an adverse.
Senator Dill. Democrat. Washing
ton, urged the polar flight project
be abandoned while Senator King.
Democrat, Utah. asked that the ma
val affairs committee inquire into
the desjrability of restricting air.
planes for building such aircraft.
There will. of course. be court
OF inquiry to determine just what
happened. In the case of the Shen-
, aui,oah. however, rs n welcome re-
lief to naval officers in the cycle or
misfortunes to navy craft. that has
marked the last few months. there
Is no question involved which re-
ouires determination of the rcspon-
sibility of any officer and his possibie
punishment. The real work OF the
board will be to examine closely m
TO questions as to the proper moor
ing equipment for the big airsnlp
to reduce as far as posslole NV
chances that she might break away
from u mooring mast at iu'ore
time. 49,,
Secretary Denby and Rear Admit
ral William A. Moffatt. naval ar
chief issued statements today
through which ran the spirit o,
citation with which the navy has read
tho story of the Shenandoahs pat
tie with the storm. Both were en-
phatic in snying that the airship
would make the proposed nor'her"
fight. .ss.
are sent to I.akehurst by secre'ar'
DENNY: ,,ost
The department commends mos.
hicb,v lieutenant CommahueI
shenandoah and also Mcssrs. HEN.
on mud burgess, FOR their cohdmc.
md hond,inr OF the ship during rne
swift, rales OF Wednesday nigh,. ing
dnportn,cnt feels that II was que W
,be,r skin and airmanship that me
sher,ndoob has been successiu IlS
conducted through this severe test
of her qualities <o,,ow;np
Mre DENLY sent the i'''o"e
message: n.,or, ond
"Commander Pierce, officers an" n"'
crow Of the Shenandoah; iieasu " Ne
cent the sincere congratnia.'o"Sso nr
Tho Shenandoah's sponsor on t
splendid service In SO IN. ,,,ost
handling your ship under inc , werv
trying conditions. am W ,,.,shcs
nroud of ship and men. bes'
TO you all"