The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1933-04-07
PROBE GROUP
HEARS AKRON
WRECK STORY
Survivors of Airship Crash
Questioned by Con-
greSSmen.
WILEY READS REPORT
More Details Expected
When Quiz Resumes on
Wednesday.
WILEY READS REPORT
By L Hited Press

WASHINGTON, April Lieu
tenant Commander Herbert v
Wiley, only surviving officer of the
Akron disaster, told his story of the
crash to congressional investieat-
ing committee today.
In a soft clear voice the grey
haired Wiley read to the house
naval affairs committee the report
ne presented to the navy depart
menU and which was made public
Thursday.
Alter hearing the three survivors
the committee adjourned until
Wednesday, when Com
mander Wiley is expected to submit
to questioning and give additional
details.
He flinched as photographers
flashlights lightened the dim hear
ing room almost as lightning had
played around the Akron on its
tragic cruise.
He read rapidly:
Weather foggy-ceiling 300 feet
lightning visible to south
fog rise to flying altitude light
nlng all around us thunder
ship was not struck by lightning
ship was falling rapidly . . -
Promise More Details
Started falling rapidly no
longer could steer looked out
window at the waves"
Gave order to stand by for
crash no further conversation
when hit water crashed much
harder than expected water
came in . . submerged me
must have carried me out of a win
dow
Upon reading his closely typed re-
port, Willy carefully folded 1t, put
1t in his pocket and told the COM
mlttee that upon resumption of the
hearing next Wednesday he would
have a fuller report of what hap
pened.
Il will try to remember every-
thing that happened he said.
BoatSWain's mate r. E. Deal, one
of the two enlisted men who es-
capped, followed Commander Wiley.
Tell of Last Flight
Deal told the committee in short,
clipped sentences what he remem-
bered of the last flight of the
worlds largest airship.
About BIS p. M, he said, Adj
niral William A. Moffett, chief of
naval aeronautics, passed up the
gangway by him.
Il said good evening Admiral .
Deal said, and he replied, good
evenin.'"
Admiral I said you must like
flying on this ship
He said, 1 like it much better
than the other I guess he meant
heavier-than-air. I like it much
better than the Shenandoah
L was on my feet when the ship
started down by the TAIL" said Deal.
Il noticed the tail struck the water.
L swan outside. I heard men
cry for help. I swan for twenty
minutes. 1 saw some men on a
floating gas tank. l Chunk to it.
Due to high waves we lost our hold
on the tank. I sighted a ship and
told the men to paddle for it.
Continue Hearing Wednesday
Il slipped into lifeboat. 1 do
not remember anything further"
Metalsmith NJ Erwin told his
story extemporaneously
THE ship seemed to be heavy
from the rain" he said. The light
ming blinded me, but I tried to keep
the ship at a 1,600-foot altitude and
I did so until 1 was relieved at IL.
Then I lay down, and pulled off my
shoes.
I though the ship was climbing.
All the motors were wide open.
so went out on the keel and
saw No. girder carried away. I
saw a whole gang of men trying to
get the ship on an even keel.
When the ship hit the water, the
lights went out.
Il jumped through the fabric,
breaking it, and went through into
the water.
The ship fell on me- I dived
under it and swan beneath the
wreckage.
Il saw gas tank floating around
and I climbed on it. Then came
Deal and some other men,"
The hearing adjourned with
Erwins testimony until Wednesday.
Rail FARE Is 81 IcE0