New Britain herald., 1929-08-24
Wears Half Way Mark

Tokyo, Aug. 24 P-Crossing to- ward the half way mark of It's journey the Graf Zeppelin. cruiscd eastward over the northern Pacific i today, bound for Los Angeles and completion of the third lap of its round-the-wo flight. The drig- ible was In frequent touch with ra- dio stations in the Pacific coast.
 As the huge ship headed north eastward toward the Aleutian 's- lands, which form an Alaskan ind ax i finger pointing to Japan, reports were that head winds were slowing its progress. Dr. Eckener original i ly had intended to pass just south of this group on the great circ'o course to Seattle but changed his course to almost due east directly after departure to make the best weather conditions.
 If the Zeppelin did not have to veer too much from due eastward course it might expect 10 pass the half way mark of it's voyage n. about TO west longitude, at about | D IT, Ill., loldy r.. .. l
 Strangely enough, that time will be about 4 a. m. today-Saturday aboard the Zeppelin, whereas at noon today aboard the Zeppelin (10 q. m. Tokyo time: SS p. m. Frid1y F, S. TD the position was reported to Ochiishi wireless station as only 1900 miles east of Tokyo. or about a quarter of this distance to be traverscd.
 Will Lose Full Day
 This anomaly will be made pos Sihle by the Graf's passage over tho international date line at about 1S0 degrees of longitude, by which go- ing eastward it will have lost a full day. If it were going westward t would gain a day.
 Weather reports available here iu- dtcated Dr. Eckener in striking due cast, and to the south of the course he had hoped to follow was taking advantage of a high pressure area extending south of the great circle course to Seattle. Along the great circle course and to its north a low . pressure area promised stormy weather If he should veer too far in that direction.
 Toward the Aleutian Island region considerable fog with moderate 10 fresh winds could be expected. West Of ITO degrees west longitude north winds striking the airship on its beam were expected; east of 11n west south winds also at right angles to the course.
 Encounters Severe Storm
 Hardly had the Graf left kasumi- gaura yesterday when a storm envel- oped it and tossed it about for a few minutes, with wind and rain eating about it's sivery sides and lightning flashing about it's hydrogen-flled balloons. Later messages said the Zeppelin was picking up after an early lack of speed. Then condi lions forced her 10 slow down.
 The present trip of the Graf Zep- nelin Is the third lap of it's round the world flight, begun Wednesday at 1O:3o p. h.. E. S. T. at Lake hurst, N. J. The Zeppelin reached Friedrichshafen Saturday. Aug. 10 at E;33 a. m., E. & T., after a 4,2O0 mile flight in 55 hours and 24 nm utes.
 Second Lap Begun
 The second lap from F'riedrichs- hafen to Kasumigaura was begun Wednesday. Aug. 14 at 1O:S4 ?. m. E. s. T., and ended Monday Aue z;27 a. m., E, S. T.. (6:27 D. m Tokyo time) after trip of 6SS: miles In 101 hours and 53 minutes
 After arrival at Los Angeles the Zeppelin officers hope to refuel , make necessary repairs, and contn , ue within a day or so to Lal1ehurst completing it's globe encircling triI toward the latter part of next week if all goes well.