New Britain herald. [microfilm reel] (New Britain, Conn.) 1890-1976, 1928-10-15

At 1l:l2 q. m. today message
was received at the naval air station
from Commander Rosendahl, stating
that stx hundred square meters Of in
ter-lined fabric would be needed to
rexurface the lower port horizontal
nm Of the Graf Zeppelin. Officer,
here sent word to him that the
fabric was In stock here. The COW
ering Of the fin was torn Saturday
according to radio messages at that
time. when the Zeppelin hit q squall
The material for repairs. technicians
here said. II the same a. the cover
ing Of the Los Angeles, q large
amount Of which 10 kept on hand
here. Tho six hundred square
meters needed amounts to slightly
more than six hundred square yards
Flies Over WaslainEton
Washington. Oct. Is @ - The
giant dtrigible. the Graf Zeppelin,
which for four days has battled
through stormy weather over the
Atlantic en- route from Germany to
Lakehurst, N. j.. today arrived over
Washington at 12:21 p. m.
The big craft was sighted from
the east and approached the city
over the capitol building. The sky
was overcast.
The airship was travelling rapidly.
assisted by q tail wind of approx
mately 20 miles an hour. She loom
ed up in the east when thousands
Of spectators from roofs of buildings
were looking toward the south and
southeast for her. She bulked huge
In the clouds al she travelled stead
lily toward the heart OF the city.
Changing her course to the west.
she headed right over the city to-
ward the White House. Her silver
nose began to glisten as the out
lines became moro definite and she
seemed to be maneuvring without
any difficulty. Apparently freed from
the elements that attempted to stay
her progress Of her record break
Ing trip across the Atlantic she al
most gaily roared her way over the
American capital.
Circles Over City
The big alrship circled directly
above the business heart Of WASH
ington a. 1t made its way to pass
above the White House. She was
close down above the heads OF the
fringe Of people on every high roof.
The sound Of her motors thrummed
In the streets below. calling atten-
tion Of passersby who stopped to
stare up ut the gigantic vessel.
A. the ship approached the White
House. President Coolidge left his
desk and went out In front Of the
executive ofiices to stand a moment.
almost unnoticed In the little group
gathered there. He stared up at the
ship. bare headed. for a minute,
then turned back into his work
room.
Circling after passing the White
House she headed out for Baltimore
with a dozen airplanes roaring
alongside her.
The ship took a turn over the
navy department building as planes
from the naval air station zoomed
into the air in greeting. She then
sailed over historic Potomac park
and around the Washington monu.
ment. Over the White House and
then after completing her great
circle. bore away due north for
Baltimore. At 1888 the ship was
almost lost to sight in a high mist
from the center OF the city.
The big ship arrived over the
capital as thousands of government
workers were out for lunch and the
streets were crowded with specta-
tors. The Zeppelin appeared to in
crease her speed as she began to
fade away into the distance in the
direction of Baltimore. As the
dirigible faded into the distance
Secretary Wilbur OF the navy and
Representative barrow, republican,
OF Pennsylvania. who had Just been
informed of the airship's arrival,
rushed to the roof of the navy de-
partment to view her.
Whistles Blow Welcome
Hundreds of whistles in the city
blew welcome to the huge craft
which appeared to drop a package
of some sort. 1t had not been To-
Gated when the ship passed out Of
sight.
The Graf Zeppelin passed over
the capitol building close down in
the clouded- sky. Some commotion
was caused outside the supreme
court chamber. while the court was
in session, as attaches and sight
seers rushed from window to win
dow to catch a glimpse of the craft
As the Zeppelin circled over the
capital, q large hole in the port
horizontal stabilizer was plainly
visible. Some observers said they
could see through it and it was OBJ
vious that considerable damage had
been done to that important part Of
the control apparatus. The ship ap-
peared to handle with perfect ease,
however, answering either vertical
or horizontal rudders without sign
OF difficulty.
Naval experts said the hole in the
port horizontal was about 30 feet
long and Is feet wide. framework
Of the nm being visible. They said
that 1t probably accounted for the
slow speed made by the airship on
the latter part Of her fight.
Over Baltimore
Baltimore. Oct15 R-The Graf