Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-03-06
BLIMPS BATTERED
AS 40.MILE STORM
SWEEPS OVER FIELD
CONTINUED From First page.)

The J-3 suffered its sister ships fate.
and for the same reason, at e'clcck
this morning.
Helium Loss Most Serious.
The loss OF helium, with which the
envelopes were filed, is the most serious
feature Of the wrecks. II was said today.
Each ship contained about 1870, 900
cubic feet OF the precious gas, which
costs about I cents per cubic foot. The
ships were valued at about $4,000 each.
There Is only q limited quantity OF
helium available and 1t probably will
require some time to replace the amount
lost.
A routine board Of investigation will
be convened to investigate the wrecks
it was announced today No board will
be convened by the Lakehurst author
tiles because the ships were debated
Had they been torn apart by the storm
Navy regulations would have required
an investigation, 1t was explained.
Thc fabric Of the envelope was cleared
from the wreekage this morning and
on fiat cars. The cars and motors
will be repaired and the ships recon-
strueted. The envelopes are said to
be damaged beyond repair.
Crews Man Ships.
Fore more than II hours all hands
at the Naval Air Station and Boiling
Field had been working in 4-hour shifts
holding down the dirigihles. When the
storm became violent last night every
man on both posts was put on the
naooring lines.
The crews manned the ships and the
motors were started IN case the ships
were swept away.
came apparent more help would be
field from the Washington Barracks
and the navy yard. About 90 of the
Marines were taken from the dance
floor In full dress uniform and, without
boots or raincoats, were sent out
through the mud and water TO man the
lines.
At about 9 o'clock Maj Howard c
Davidson, commandant of Boiling Field,
called for 400 soldiers from Fort Myer
to relieve the exhausted men. They
were sent in Army trucks, The
Navy forces later were augmented by 81
Marines and sailors from the presiden-
tial yacht Mayfiower.
The Navy Department issued this
statement concerning the hlimps;
After the inaugural parade on Mon
day, the two Navy nonrigid airships
landed at the Naval Air Station, Ana
costa. due to the rain and heavy fog.
"The field was extremely muddy and
made the task OF holding the airships
very difficult. The bad weather con-
tinued throughout Tuesday. making q
IN fs1a%a afi hla At aha,at y IN
the evening, the wind began to blow at
tanning O velocity of &c miles per hour
at 1915 when the ripcord was pulled
on the IA, debating the gasbag. As
the storm was centered about Washing
ton, the wind direction was constantly
changing and strong gusts were strik-
ing the J-3, sometime on one side and
then on the other, causing the aifshir
to roll and pitch.
Crews Work in Mud.
1T was feared that severe damage
would be caused and that the airshir
would break away and be lost. Finally
the rip cord was pulled on the J-w3 al
8 am. During the time the airship,
were inflated and the severe gusts were
encountered rain, snow and sleet were
falling at intervals, and the gfounc
crews were working In mud severa
inchss deep, affording practically nc
footing whatever
"Non-rigid airships are equipped witt
rip panel which permits the envelope
to be quickly debated in an emergency
This is what was done with the airships
IA and J--3 last night, 1t will be re.
called that the Norge was similarly de.
flated following the trip across ths
Pole in 1875.
THE two airships J---3 and ia viii
be shipped to Lakehurst, where minor
damage to the cars will be repaired ane
the airships re-erected. Value of each
l.aifshir, coyer, ms, engines and en-.
Espyshcpe, Va aprEe $40. 900" -.