The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1929-10-03
BY HUGH ALLEN

Among the men closest to Dr.
Eckener there was grave doubt as
TO the wisdom Of attempting the
world flight so successfully COM
pleted by the Graf Zeppelin this
summer.
The Atlantic ocean had been con-
duered. The Pacific leg would be
long, but with good weather service
such as the United States navy
and the japanese would supply,
would not be difficult. The trip
over the American continent would
force the ship to climb to high alti-
tudes, and it would be rough over
the southern Rocky mountains But
the trip over Siberia caused all to
hesitate.
I have weighed the hazards
however, said DR.. Eckener. The
trip will be made"
There was no appeal against this
decision.
Crew is Loyal
Among officers and men of the
Graf, there was no hesitancy. Not
one, but was fully ready to go wher-
ever DR.. Eckener led the way.
The fight to Lakehurst from
which point the start of the journey
was to be made. was done without
incident. DR.. Eckener wasted no
time with social activities, had no
time for receptions.
And four days after his landing
at Lakehurst, the ship was of again.
This time for once he got the
breaks of weather. He made his
fastest trip across the ocean, COM
pleting the first leg Of the journey
in fifty-flve hours.
He passed his sixty-first birthday
over the Atlantic ocean.
Siberia was next.
It had been freely predicted that
the Graf would follow the line OF
the Siberian railway. Then if he
did get into trouble, he would find
help at hand.
Eckener Takes Chances
But Eckener was no half-hearted
explorer.
THE northern route is better and
shorter" he said. I'VE may f1y as
far north as the Arctic ocean"
Weather service was available till
he passed the longitude of Moscow.
He had been invited to fly over the
ancient Russian capital, but the
weather was unfavorable and meant
delay. He passed on.
Once over the UralS, DR.. Eckener
knew he would have to fall back on
his sailors weather wisdom. He
never left the bridge during those
days and nights. One could sleep
at Friedrichshafen. There was
work to be done now.
Faces Many Perils
On he pressed over never-ending
wastes and Swamps and vast wooded
areas. Forest fires burned beneath
him unheeded by man.
Weather information almost en-
tirely lacking, DR.. Eckener found
another difficulty. His maps were
more than unreliable. There were
mountains where the maps showed
no trace of them. Mountains that
were charted climbed to heights far
beyond those ascribed to them.
Passes he expected to find we're
blocked by huge ranges.
HIS had to fly at 5000 feet and IN
so doing sacrifice hydrogen gas
which escaped from the cells In
the lighter upper atmosphere, thus
cutting down his lift.
But the fates were with the Ar
ponauts. Presently they were able
to opick up the japanese radio sta
tions. to learn what was ahead. 1t
was nothing pleasant. A typhoon
sweeping down the Asiatic coast and
across the Bay of Japan.
Toxic Is Reached
Now a successful landing at Toxic.
Three days in Japan and then
off for America. An accident 10
the docking rails dented power
car and caused a days delay. But
this was a detail.
DR.. Eckener had figured five days
for the 6,OOO-mIe trip across the
Pacific. Los Angeles awoke on the
third day to find the Graf planning
to arrive by midnight.
The ship reached the coast near
San Francisco before dark, made
the last swing down California and
reached the terminus by o'clock In
the morning.
Los Angeles was the only stop
on his route where no hangar was
available. The navy mast at san
Diego had been set up temporarily
at Mines field as a hitching post -or
the Graf. DR.. Eckener circled about
Los Angeles until dawn.
Back on u. 5. Soil
Then he slowly descended, and
again was on American soil after
having crossed both OCEANS upon
which the United States has its
shores. He waved aside numerous
plans for functions in his honor.
I'VE leave tonight" he said.
Turning to Lieutenant T. @. w.
Settle, loaned by Lakehurst as
technical officer, he asked: How
soon can you have gas and fuel in?"
Wen be ready by g." said the
navy officer. You came so fast
YOU did not use up as much fuel
as we had expected, so our task is
simple" IN
GOOD" snapped the commander.
1--WE could have gone on to Lake
hurst without refueling. but We will
stop during the day. The weather
Pimples on Face, ]
N m