The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-01-17
GIANT DRIGIBLE AND CREW OF 30
 DRIFT IN STORM
Shenandoah Built For Flight To North Pole
 Escapes M0Orings
o. K. RADIO FINALLY
 RELIEVES ANXIETY
Fragments Of Outer, Rig ging Created Fear Ship
 Might Be Ruined

LAKEHURST. N. J., Jan. 16.-(By Associated Press. )-The worlds largest airship, the navy dirigible Sherman doah. which was broken loose from her mooring mast and swept along the 12 miles an hour, was gallantly fight ing her way home tonight. For more than an hour officials at the naval airstation held out little hope that she ever would be brought back safely. Finally, however, wire less messages indicated that the shin was under control and would ride out the storm.
 Hopes For Storm End While it could not be learned def initely whether the attempt would be made to land her tonight, Lieut.. J. c. Sanderson, meteorologist, said he be- lieved the storm would die down be- fore daylight and it might be possible to bring the ship back to her hangar. Every man and officer at the station was ordered to stand by ready to help with the landing should the ship re- turn. while acres of land about the station were illuminated with huge searchlights.
 Last reports said the huge dirigible had passed over various New Jersey cities, including Newark, had flown 1 so low at one point that the voices of her crew could be heard on the ground i; had reached Staten Island, N. Y., and after lowering there for several min utes had turned her bow toward New Jersey again in the direction of Lake hurst.
 Breaking away of the Shenandoah, which was moored to the massive mast in To-day test of it's capabilities, cast a shadow over the station. The test was in preparation for flight for the north, pole and as the giant craft slipped away in the rain and wind be- fore the very eyes of the men who had helped build her and had flown her, they saw their hopes dashed.
 Then came messages by wireless from Commander Pierce who, with Captain Heinen, who helped build the ship, was in command when she tore away, as- suring the officers that everything is o. K.; we will ride out the storm"
 The Shenandoah tore loose with q crash. All day she had been swayed to and fro by strong wind and there was considerable speculation whether the ship should be returned to her hangar. Those in command, however, declared that the test was to deter mine how strong wind the ship could stand and that they were confident she would remain aloft.
 Commander Was Not Aboard 8 Captain MeCrary and Commander Weyerbacher both had been aboard the Shenandoah few moments before si,e heoke loose. They had desssinied, now ever and were at dinner when T sud den crash informed them something was wrong.
 J- Running to the field. along with scores of other officers and ep,;steI men, they saw the Shenandoah sway from side to side, then rise slowly into the air and be carried away by the ter rife southeast wind. They were show cred with debris as fragments of the crafts outer rigging fell to tue ground At first it was feared the entire struc- ture might be wreck. Field glasses were turned upon the dirigible. It was only few moments until she was out of sight.
 Telephone and telegraph wires were blown down by the storm and it was many minutes before any word what soever had been received concerning the Shenandoah's fate. Finally, how ever, there came the report that she was over Westfield, N. J., and that her engines had been heard through the darkness.