Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-24
GRAF GAINS SPEED
FOG
Zeppelin 1900 Miles on Way
to u. S.-StiII VeerS
to North.
Continued From First Page.)


of weather reports. The story Of the
flight as pieced together from wireless
messages intercepted on American shores
showed that the airline was increasing
her speed. heading more directly East
all the time and sailing about 1900
feet above the water.
A message sent by the dirigible at
am, Eastern standard time. gave word
that the ship had covered 1850 miles
in the little more than 26 hours since
leaving Japan. She was making so
knots (about 81 miles) an hour. Main
tanning that pace, she should reach the
American coast some time Monday. At
that time she had averaged better than
81 miles an hour since leaving Toxic.
This takes into account her slow prog
ress during the first few hours Of the
flight.
Increased Speed Likely.
Skies were overcast near the 10th
Eastern longitude line as the Zeppelin
approached that area. but there was
something in the elements to cheer pas
sengers and crew. The sun momentarily
broke through the fog banks and the
weather on the surface appeared clear.
Calculating the distance covered by
periodical position reports, the Graf
Zeppelin was showing speed of better
than 81 miles an hour. Possibilities
were good that the Zep's speed would
increase as 1t proceeded, for prevailing
beam" winds coming out Of the south
west were expected to change to tall
winds from the west, changing to
northwesterly winds at a point about
1000 miles of the American continent.
These latter winds would boost the Yep
pelin down to its first land contact,
nr0hahly Seattle
Reports of the airliner's position in
Dictated that she was gradually working
nortnward. At the outset Of the flight
the great ship headed almost due east
in order to take the best possible direc-
ton In view of existing weather condi-
tions. Up to this morning she had held
generally to more easterly course,
getting almost of the wide great circle
ship route as she progressed toward the
east.
Graf Edging Northward.
The 4 am. eastern standard time)
position today showed, however. that
the dirigible was edging northward
more sharply, and If she continued on
that track would soon be directly above
the numerous ships that ply between
North America and Asiatic ports.
Arrival of the Zeppelin at the 10th
meridian of latitude east of Greenwich
marked completion of almost one-third
of the distance between Toxic and Los
Angeles as mapped on the dirigible's
course.
Technically the Zeppelin will lose
day when she crosses the international
date line at the 180th meridian. Main
tanning her present speed, she should
arrive there between 4 and pm,
Eastern standard time, today.
Assuming the Zeppelin arrives at the
180th meridian at pm, Eastern stand
ard time, today Saturday, her chro-
nometers will register 8 am. Sunday.
The next instant her local time will
change to 10 pm. Saturday. From
then on her time pieces will be adj
vanced hour by hour as she speeds
eastward.
Unscratched in Storm.
Aside from the fog, the radio reports
indicated that there was little to hamper
the Zeppelin up to the international date
line. It came through yesterdays wind
and lightning storm unscratched. 1t
tossed about for few minutes, how
ever, as rain beat against its silver sides
and lightning bolts flashed.
Despite the highly inflemmable hy-
drogen which filled its bag, the pas
sengers experienced little uneasiness
during the electrical storm. After o
short period of discomfort they gathered
in the dining salon for dinner as If
nothing unusual had happened. The
net result was q new experience for
the already ase-hardened aerial globe
trotters and a slight loss Of speed.
Present Trip Is Third Lap.
The present trip. Of the Graf Yep
pelin is the third lap of its round-the-
world flight, begun Wednesday at 1880
pm, Eastern standard time, at Lake.
hurst, N. j. The Zeppelin reached
Friedrichshafen, Saturday, August 10, at
1888 am, Eastern standard time, after
q 4,200-mile flight In So hours and
"a minutes.
The second lap, from Friedrichshafen
to Kasimugaura, was begun wednesday,
August IA, ct 1884 p.n., Eastern stand
ard time, and ended Monday. August
10, 4:27 am, Eastern standard time
(6:27 PM, Toxic time), after trip
Of $3.50 miles in 101 hours and 81
minutes.
After arrival at.Los Angeles the Yep
pelin officers hope to refuel, make neceS-
sary repairs and continue within day
or so to Lakehurst, completing its globe
encircling trip toward the latter part OF
next week, II all goes well.
Aboard the Zeppelin are so persons,
Al of them crew and officers, ana ID
passengers. The only cargo - mail,
some destined for the United States
and some for Europe.