Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-10
GRAF SETS RECORD
IN 55-HOUR FLIGHT
Trip Back to Germany Made
40 Hours Faster Than
on Westward Hop.
Continued From First Page.)

Continued From First Psge.)
was smiling and holding a bouquet of
flowers from American friends. The
crowd, which up to then had been
merely happy and curious, broke into
cheers
The spectators hoped that DR.. Ecke-
ner would leave the ship at the head
omces, but the baggagemaster In STEM
tofian tones announced:
Don't look for DIR. Eckener He has
already slipped out through the rear
and Is working on plans for the next
flight In hts Office"
The crowd. somewhat unbelieving.
rushed to the rear of the airship, but
merely found the crew unloading a bull
dog. an alligator and other freight. all
of which apparently arrived In good
condition.
Passengers WhisheA Away.
The passengers and their baggage
were whisked away to the Kurgarten
Hotel all except Joachim Rickard of
Poston, who remained at the Zeppelin
Works and Immediately consulted his
attorney by long distance telephone re-
garding what steps to take in view of
his having signed q silence pledge
which he said was against his will.
DR.. Eckener, who hopes to take OF
for Toxic on the next lap of his world
sirdlina night within few days, was
not permitted to stay at his office long.
for Frau Eckener gently. but firmly. led
him into a waiting automobile. Thou
sands OF spectators had gathered out
side OF the gates in the hope of seeing
ton, he suddenly found himself sur
rounded by a cheering mob, which only
with difhculty let the car pillow its way
through and proceed home.
Left U. s. Wednesday Night.
The Crafts first westward crossing
took Ill hours and 10 minutes. while
that last week needed only % hours
to reach Lakehurst
The Graf Zeppelin left IAkehurst
Wednesday at 1889 pm, Eastern
standard time: passed over New York
City, Times Square, Thursday at 1890
am. and At 2 am. Eastern standard
time, Friday radioed its position at
1852 miles east of Lakehurst, or About
half way across the Atlantic.
The first land sighted was the Sicily
Islands. 30 miles OF the southwest rip
of England. at 7:05 pm. FRIDAY. The
craft was unreported until 1891 am.
Saturday, when it circled the center OF
10. NJ a 90 u IIGW over bGSle,
Switzerland, only IS miles from Fried
richshafen.
The dirisible appeared over it, han
gar at Friedrichshafen st SAL am. to-
day Saturday and 1903 am. landed
efely. The Ian was made in the
midst OF % rain.
ffetiOus Trips ~ Graf.
The previous eastward crossing NJ the
Graf Zeppelin from Lakehurst to Fried
richshafen completed October 81. 1928.
took 50 hours and 56 minutes It's two
westward crossings took. first. III hours
and 80 minutes and, only last week.
approximately 2G- hours.
The British dirigibie R-34 in 1919
took 81 hours and Is minutes to 70 from
Mineola. L. l.. TO Glifden, ireland The
Chamberlin-Levine flight from Roose-
welt Field. L. T.. to Lands End, 30 miles
from Scilly, England. took SO hours is
minutes to complete q portion Of it's
flight for which the Graf Zeppelin
needed only - hourA and - minutes.
Pari, Gets Surprise.
Sighting Of the Graf Zeppelin over
Paris came as a complete surprise. II
previously had been supposed that the
DIR sible would follow the southern
coast OF England and fly over London.
At 7:05 Eastern standard time, Friday.
the Zeppelin was sighted over SciIiv
Islands, about 30 miles west of Lands
End, and apparently heading for Lon
don.
A few minutes later It's position was
given IS % miles south of Plymouth,
well III to the English Channel, and
from that time on nothing was heard
Of the ship until it appeared over the
French capital negotiating the 3s5
miles from Scilly Islands In hours and
rs minutes
The speed OF the Zeppelin amazed
even its most sanRuine we'll wishera
Their explanation was that the ship
had been primed TO perfection for the
beginning OF It's world tour an6 that
1t found ideal weather conditions.