New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1925-10-02
Bureau Of Aeronautics
Warned to Use Ex-
treme Caution--L,ans-
downe Himself Agi-
tated New System,
Letters Are introduced at
Hearing Showing That
installation Was Con-
sidered as Only Stage in
Experiment.

r,skehurst, N. j., oct. LF) - In
improving the gas valve system
change in the airship Shenandoah,
the bureau of aeronautiCs at Wash
ineton warned those on the ship
that the new system was not as
"fool-proof" as the original install
lation and that extreme care should
be taken IN the operation of the
ship.
Warning Is Disclosed
This was disclosed today before
the naval court of inquiry here by
the reading into the record of the
Official correspondence that passed
on the subject between Commander
Zachary Lansdowne, captain OF the
ship, and the bureau of aeronautics.
Changes in the valve system first
were suggested by LansdoWne as
carly as September 16, 1924, but
finally were not approved by the bu-
rcau until May G8, 1925, and then
only with warning from Captain
Il. 8. Land, construction corps at
tached to the bureau.
This warning was renewed on
June 13, 1925 in a letter signed by
Commander H.G. Richardson, con-
,truction corps, by direction of the
chief of the bureau.
Lansdowne Approved Change
This correspondence shows that
Commander Lansdowne not only
recommended the change, but thai
when there was delay In acting or
his recommendation he sent tele
gram requesting telegraphtc authori
zation for carrying out the work
Approval then was given "by way o
cxperiment' and it was added tha
the necessary precautions should b.
taken in operating the ship.
On June 10, 1925, Commando
Richardson wrote that In view o
The change there should be use. o
The maneuvering valves to discharg
ras whenever that should becom
necessary in fight.
Safety Cut In Half
Tn his letter of June IS, 1927
Commander Richardson said tha
calculations indicated that tn
change in the valve system woul
cut In half the safe rate Of ascer
of the ship, In other words from SO
h. 10 400 feet a minute. He added:
. THE bureau notes the argumer
X that a very small gas valve capacit
was found to be sufficient on II
west coast fight. In this connectic
the bureau invites attention to II
iact that In that fight no very rap
ascent above pressure heights O.
Cured. 1t Is considered that tt
maximum gas capacity is likely
he required only in the event of Il
Il airship being suddenly carried u
ward in a vertical current during
gouau. It Is understood that u
Shenandoah has never been subje
TO this condition although quite co
ceiyably may occur and the tot
gas valve capacity must be suffice
TO provide for it.
ut is known that Zeppelin a
ships have occasionally burst
cells due to insufficient valve car
city when rising rapidly in thundt
storms. Zeppelin practice is to pl
Ndo for rate of ascent of at lei
three meters per second. or aht
GOO feet per minute-five meters !
AN, second was preferred.
With the limited automatic
valve capacity which will rem
after completion Of the changes n
~ in process, the rate of ascent i'll
trrme conditions must be caretl
watched and the gas cells relieved
excessive pressure by opening
maneuvering valves if necessary.
At the outset there was some
cussion between Commander La
downe and the bureau with rcfcre
lei TO the use of a combination al
matte and maneuvering valve to
place the original system, but a
some experimenting this type
abandoned.
Renews Recommendation.
On December Is, 1924, Comm
der Lansdownc renewed his rec
mendation for a change in the VI
system, saying the German de-
was based upon two cousiderat
which do not obtain at present;
Grafton with hydrogen gas and
Grafton in time Of war"
With the use of holium, he $
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