New Britain herald., 1925-09-29

III lNA lhltt " Nh1 lINh ul di oNtll keel without unusual vibration, itl remained at that altitude a short period, probably minute or so, During this period a general dis cussion was held as to the best means for getting away from the storm. IL appeared to me that southeast was the proper course, However several Of the others, but whom l cannot recall did not agree, and tho ship was headee south, but wo were unable to make any headway
 "Then began another rapid ascent and tho elevators and en- zines were again ordered to correct this. II was then that ] first learn ed that engine trouble had develop cd doubtless due to the angle at which the ship had been flying starts to Break up
 "As 1 recall, 10 ship rose rapidly to about $500 feet, during which time the rudderman was having very great dinlcnlty holding the ship ! on i's course. As near as I can re. member, It was at about $500 feet when the ship, which was being held down hy the nose at a consid- erable angle, suddenly noscd over. Immediately following this nosing { down the ship started 10 nose up rapidly, when there was sharp grinding and wrcnching of inc Crders heard which told us inn I mcdiately that the ship was break Ing somewhere about midship and at the same time there was a momentary jarring or shaking of Of the control car. Someone said
 There she goes felt the ship start 10 fall rapidly so I turned to the ladder and started for the keel: Colonel Hallyhad just preceded me-"
 Thrilling Rescue
 Lieutenant Anderson then de- scribed how girdors and wires gave way around him on the catwalk and how he finally grabbed the keel and held on there as the bow of the ship broke away and began to free balloon. He remained in this peril ous position several minutes before Lieutenant Roland G. Mayer, an- other survivor. could throw rope to him and drag him 10 a place of safety. The bow of the ship finally was brought down.
 Cross Examined.
 When Anderson had concluded the reading of his written narrative, Judge Advocate Foley took over the examination.
 What was the first information you had that inc Shenandoah was in danger from weather?" he asked
 "The first remote danger l saw was when I returned to the control car at the summons of Commander Landsdowno. That was very remote. The first near danger ] was sure of was shortly after the ship began 10 rise"
 The storm encountered by the Shenandoah was of the CyClonic type and not the heat type,' Anderson said. We were in q very local storm; the larger storm was well to the north of ns."
 Anderson testified that after the ascent of tho ship had been checked
 he suggested d change to southerly
 course, but after discussion south erly course was ordered. What was your reason for sng- gosting q southcasterly course ?'' asked Captain Foley.
 Tn that direction the distance 10 clear sky was the shortest. The wind was to the southwest and l thought the ship could make more speed on
 southoasterly Conrsc.' Chances Were Better. Do you think if the ship had been put on q southoastcrly course the chance of her escape would have been bettcr?"
 That was my impression" 'In view of your experience do you feel all reasonable precautions were taken to insure the safety of | the Shenandoah from the elements. | Looking back since the accident | I can see that another course might | have been safer, but also l can un' l ders.an why at the time the course l taken was considered safe" DO you think tho storm would i have been avoided if it had been daylight"
 l "I think the probabilities are that
 we could have seen the cloud for
 nations better in the daytime and
 that the storm might easily have
 been avoided"
 Advised Changes I Questioned by Rear Admiral Hil- | ary P. Jones. president of the court | Lieutenant Anderson said that before | the shin was in immediate danger | from the storm he suggested that the l course be changed to inc south. This l was at a considerable time before l the sky in the vicinity of the shir | had become overcast
 | "nid the captain follow your ad' vice 9" asked Admiral Jones. 1 "The captain asked me 10 show | him what danger I considered wc | should avoid, l was unahl" to show him any immediate danger there | fore he continued on his course | Did you concur in this or did you 1 again warn him of the danger" l "Our conversation continued lit' ! flo longer during which stil l thought we should go south and ] ladhcrrd to that advice"
 l Lieutenant Anderson said the req i son he suggested a change of course ! uaa because q storm 10 the norlI 1 ror tho ship was not of a familiar ap {. roarancr. He explained that mos 1 storms moved west to east, but tha l this one vas not so moving. | "pm tho officers of the ship siv' | any reason for not following you .a1,ic, to take Southeasterl,