Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-07-29
TURNS TO SEA-;
2O5 MILES ON WAY
Weather Cloudy and Wind Is
Adverse, but All Is Well,
DirigibIe Reports.
Continued From First Page0

principally observers and weather ex-
perts.
The R-100 is the largest airship in
world, even passing the famous Graf
Zeppelin. 1t is not so long as the Graf
-709 feet compared to the German
ships 776-but Is fatter and has more
lifting capacity, with six motors COM
pared to the Crafts Ave.
The R-lO0 has a cruising radius of
1000 to 5000 miles, full speed of 80
miles an hour and a cruising speed Of
II; capacity for 5,15O,0OO cubic feet Of
buoyant gas and lifting power of 1856
tons.
For this fight the airship carries
1000 pounds of food, divided into three
days ordinary rations and one days
reserve ration. with an added supply
for emergency. Even chewing gum,
which has never obtained the foothold
in Great Britain that it has in the
United States, is included. The water
supply. for drinking and washing, Is
500 gallons.
No Smoking Permitted.
Meals will be served in a dining
room after preparation in small kitch-
en-. No smoking will be permitted, as
the buoyant gas is of the infiammable
type.
The airship carries wireless equip
ment for communication on both long
and short waves with the call letters
FGAAV. Direct communication will be
maintained with the stations at Card
ington and st. Hubert Field, and with
LoiSburg, Nova Scotia. after the Mid
atlantic is reached. The wave lengths
were not disclosed for fear amateurs
might disrupt regular communication.
This is the first British airship to
attempt an Atlantic crossing in IL
years. In 1919 the .R-34 few from
Scotland to Mineola, N. Y. distance
If 5000 miles, in 108 hours. 1t car
ried 81 persons, including a stowaway.
terday established careful watch to
prevent any one slowing away on the
R-100.
Look on Trip AS Lark.
Those making the trip apparently
looked upon it as joyous adventure.
The officers and distinguished pas
sengers drove up in motor cars, laugh
ing merrily as they chatted In the cold,
grey hours of early morning, while
members of the crew brought along
their sweethearts to see the departure.
The wife of Squadron Leader Booth
drove her husband to the airdrome, but
left before the big ship lifted. Lady
Burney stayed until after her husband
had disappeared in the RICO, however,
and proclaimed her pride In Sir
Denistoun's creation.
Isn't she a beauty" Lady Burney
exclaimed. 81 would just love to be
making the trip. Isn't 1t a shame that
the air ministry won't let woman take
part in the voyage across the sea?
Still, live in hope Of crossing on her
one day"
A number of good luck tokens were
carried by those on board. Sir Denis
toun took small ring which his wife
had owned since she was a child.
Il gave 1t to him because 1t always
brought me luck" Lady Burney ex-
planned.
Navigator Takes Wife's Token.
Squadron Leader Johnston, the navi-
gator. had photograph of his wife
which he had carried for 10 years.
II have had good fortune ever since
I met my wife," he remarked. land
you can bet that same good fortune
will be with us on this little trip"
AS Sir Denitoun smoked final cigar
before embarking, he said he believed
the R-100 would come up to his expec-
tations after years of designing.
1T we can make the outward journey
in so hours, as we hope to do" he said,
land the homeward trip in so, 1t will
prove that we are getting on top of
the job.
1T brings the day appreciably nearer
when airships will be commercial propo-
sitions To my mind the airship OF the
future will be one of about double the
displacement of the R-100, with cruis-
ing speed of IS to 80 miles an hour"
Scott Also Is Confident.
Maj. Scott, who few the R-34 across
the Atlantic and back, shares Sir Den
istoun's confidence in the R-100.
She is very easy to handle" he said.
land is perfectly steady even when
travelling at top speed. am certain
that she will do well. Weather pros
poets are good and everything points to
a pleasant crossing"