The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-05-28

fabric ripped, one engine disabled
ice coated, fuel low.
Communications direct from the
Italia ceased Friday morning. Fears
we're expressed that silence from
then on may have meant the Grip
pied aircraft, struggling against
powerful headwinds and with her
power damaged, may have been
forced down.
1t was believed that last message
was sent from the general vicinity
of 81 degrees north Of II degrees
east.
Therefore, Moy. experienced In
finding his way about the unmarked
northern territory, chose that vi
cinity to start his relief expedition.
He plans to search the region be-
tween II and % degrees east longi-
tude provided such a search is pos
sible.
y Many reports have been received
in Kings Bay that distress signals
have been received by low wave sta
tions from Mobile. Yet none Of the
reports has been of aid to the res
cue directors, other than serving to
heighten the morale through belief
Mobile and his fifteen men were
alive in the Arctic Businesses.
None Of the reports indicated
where Ale vessel might be stranded
and no one knew exactly where re-
lief expeditions might be sent.
Moy leaves this morning, probably,
from Vidge Bay.
Charter Ship for Search
The steamship Braganza, reports
said, has been chartered by the
Italian government and will leave
here today to search from the
waters bordering on this northern
ice bound settlement.
Possibly one or two of these yes
sells also may have dog Steps and
hunters-those accustomed to the
still coldness Of the north-aboard
to make scouting expeditions from
the base ship.
The dirigible Italia left Kings Bay
Wednesday morning bound on Its
third and most adventurous cruise
of the present polar expedition.
There we're sixteen men aboard, in
cluding Mobile. The fuel supply was
for seventy-two hours in the air, The
food supply was estimated to be
sufficient for month. Each man
was equipped with skis and sleep
ing bags-just as a precautionary
measure should the dirigible come
TO land on the ice covered area.
Ice Coats DirigibIe
But flying conditions we're more
than fair. Once headwinds were
reported but the Italia few them
out. Then the dirigible progressed
steadily until it circled the North
Pole, and for two hours the daring
italian explorer made observations
at the Pole.
The return was started. Flying
condition was good for period,
Then came headwinds. Mobile re-
ported these in his regular messages
to the Citta Di Milano. Flying
speed was retarded and at times the
craft made only forty kilometers
an hour.
The sides of the craft we're coated
with ice. One part Of the fabric
was ripped away by the howline
winds, Mobile advised. Then he told
of one engine becoming disabled
The winds became so strong that
finally Mobile advised he was turn
ing north to escape them, and it
was thought likely he might head
for Vadsoe or some Norwegian port
He had been optimistic. Even as
he reported tersely of the fight
against the driving winds, he was
optimistic of being able to reach
port.
Then, Friday morning communi-
cations ceased. Hour by hour the
ground crew waited at the Citta di
Milano for further word. Since
then not one direct work Of the
fate of the craft has reached here.