Evening star., 1925-09-10
WILBUR DISCLAJMS ANY BLAME
FOR NAVY AIRSHIP DISASTERS
Denies Shenandoah and Pacific Flight Commanders
Protested Trips and Scouts Report of Politics
Behind Dirigible's Crash.

leading statements that are being pub
lished
THE orders issued for the Shena n
doah's flight were issued by the de
partmental officers. as are all orders
for ships movements. provided by
law and by regulation.
There was nothing political wha t
ever in connection with the fight ot
the Shena ndoah.
Determined On In june.
THE fight was determined upon
last June. and had no relation to the
Polar flight or the Hawaiian flight.
THE details of the flight were ar
ia nged during my absence on the Pa
cific Coast by Admiral Moffett. chief
of the Bureau of Aeronsutics. nd
Adpiral Eberle. chief of operations. in
accordance with the suggestions oi
comdr. Lansdowne. who had fixed
the time OF the fight and who had
power 10 change 1t or aba ndon the
flight altogether If his judgment &c
dictated. as Capt. Steele did In his
partially completed trip TO ST. Paul in
the Los Angeles in June.
Comdr. Lansdowne never proteste ed
against the flight in person or by com
munication TO me. or any one In the
department, and on the contrary, ex,
pressed his sa tisfa ction with il to his
superiors and associates. Capt. Steele
MS immediate superior, states Comdr
Lansdowne was fully confident that
the night would he successfully made
Had he objected the Night would
nave been postponed or aha ndoned. Is
was done when the trip was suggeste ed
for July.
1T is ma nifest that the accident IA
The Shenandoah was in no wise due
TO the change in the escape valves
The gas bags did not explode and
were Intact at the time the Shenan
dosh broke up.
The Shenandoah struck small
unanticipsted tornado or line sauall
which she could not avoid.
An experienced weather foreca ster
accompanied the Shens ndosh
Time Was Propitious.
With reference to the fight of the
PN-9, No. ]. the Secretary of the
Navy did not fix the time of the flight
or the place of departure. This was
left TO those in command of the fligh,
project. Comdr. Rodgers recommend
ed the place and the time of the flight
and had authority to postpone the
time of flight. and this he actually did
from August 2s 10 August 81. AdmiraI
hpHtll reports Inat tne Time could
not have been more propitious for the
flight and that every man in the crew
was eager TO make the flight and
that the PN-9, No. !. WAS in splendid
condition.
II met the members Of The crew
when in San Diego in July. conferred
with Comdr. Rodgers. informed hin,
that the question Of place and time
of flight was absolutely in his band
that we would not interfere with his
discretion. and he expressed the
greatest confidence in his ability to
reach Hawaii without mishap.
mo man was forced TO do anything
in this flight or any other that in his
judgment was unwise.
II have directed the chief of the
Bureau of Navigation to select FIVE
of the most competent and learned
officers In the Navy to conduct full
investigation of the loss of the
Shena ndoah and TO spare no pains
and effort TO ascertain the sctual
facts regarding the Shenandoah dis
aster Witnesses will he placed under
oath to tell the whole truth and il Is
confidently expected that they will do
so"