Evening star., 1926-04-15
AMUNDSEN A|RSH|P
STARTS 6(O-MILE
LEN|NGRAD FLIGHT
Journey From Oslo Hampered
Early Today by Heavy
Mist Over Sweden.
DIRECTION GIVEN CRAFT
BY RADIO AT VAXHOLM
King and High officials Greet Craft
Upon Arrival at Swedish
Capital Yesterday.
Nv the Associated Press.

LENINGRAD, April 15.-The
dirigible Norge of the Amundsen-
Ellsworth Arctic expedition, which
left Oslo, Norway, early this
morning, sent a wireless message
at 1856 PM, reporting that she
was 60 miles from Leningrad.
The message from the dirigible
said that the ship, which will land
at Trotsk, a suburb of Leningrad,
was advancing slowly because of
a fog, which made it difficult. to
maneuver easily.
By the Associated Press.
OSLO. Norway. April 15.-Flying
eastward over Sweden, across the
Baltic Sea and over the Gulf of Fin
land, the Ellsworth polar
expedition airship Norge was on her
way to Leningrad today.
The Norge established communica-
ton by wireless with the VaXholm
station near Stockholm at $40 O'Clock
this morning. She reported that she
had entered a zone of mist extending
across almost the whole country. The
/ commander could not tell his position,
| but said he thought the direction he
| was taking was correct.
Calls for Bearings.
The message said the commander
| had been unable to ascertain his eX-
act location, and asked Stockholm to
request other wireless stations to en-
deavor to get in connection with the
Norge with a view to giving her
compass bearings.
The Norge passed Trosa, about 60
miles from Stockholm, at 6:35 am,
about an hour after she had establish
ed wireless communication with the
VaXholm station.
The airship which arrived here yes
terday afternoon at 3:15 o'clock on a
600-mile voyage from Pulham. Eng
and, cut loose from the mooring mast
at ITO o'clock this morning for an
additional 600-rnile trip through the
air to Soviet Russia.
The arrival here of the Norge, after
having covered about 1900 miles from
the flying field outside Rome, was the
occasion for great excitement. The
weather was beautiful and the popu-
lace in thousands turned out to greet
the monarch of the air, in which it is
hoped the North Pole will be crossed
by air during the Summer for the
first tia,. In history.
Passing the home Of Roald Amund-
sen, six miles distant down the Fjord,
the Norge dipped her flag in greeting
to the people of the village in which
lives the famous explorer who is to
head the polar flight. Amunsden is
now on the way with Lincoln Ellis
worth of New York for SpitZbergen,
the main base for the start across the
pole.
King Is Given Salute.
When the aircraft neared the palace
here it circled about. accompanied by
three naval planes, faced the palace
and saluted King Haakon, who, with
glasses in hand, was observing the
maneuvers of the Norge from a win
dow. Premier Lykke and other Off
cials watched the scene from the roof
of Parliament House. School children
were released from their lessons in
order that they might witness the ar
rival of the airship.
Little difficulty was experienced in
tying the great ship to the mooring
mast. War Secretary Wefring greet
ed Col. Mobile and the members of the
crew when they landed. Little time
was lost in making ready for the
fight to Russia, and soon all hands
were busily engaged in supplying the
gas bags with hydrogen from big
tanks which had been brought to the
flying field. From Leningrad it is ex-
pected that the Norge will proceed to
Kings Bay, Spitzbergen.