The Waterbury Democrat., 1937-05-10
40-42 NORTH MAIN STREET
Com. RosendahL
 Started Testimony
tContinned from Page D

:, arrival of the Hindenburg," Mulli- gan said.
 T hope the board will realize my testimony may be bit sketchy, Resendahl replied. He sketchea the background of agreements between the Navy de- partment and the German Zeppelin Transport Company allowing the Hindenhurg to use the Lakehur5t Air Station. Copies of several docu- ments were placed in the record. Federal Govt Absolved The Federal Government was ab- solved of any damage which might be suffered by the German Dirigible according to the agreements.
 Frequent radio reports of the ap- proach of the Hindenburg were re- ceived as scheduled at this station, ? Rosendahl said.
 "This service functioned well ex- cept for bad static conditions near the end of the flight but that did not prevent communication.
 Direct contact was maintained at the end of the trip. She was to land at 6 p. nl., and leave at 10 p.m., or as soon thereafter as poS- sible.
 Arrangements for the ground crew included furnishing nucleus of 90 men from the naval station and of additional personnel.
 "On this occasion there were 92 station men and 132 civilians, most of whom had had previous experi- enee.
 However, the civilians were hired by the Hindenburg agents
 "As the ship came across the ocean she encountered head winds and it was evident she would be de- layed beyond 6 p. m.-The original hour-and she sent word she would land at p. I1a., "Rosendahl con- tinued. "Our arrangements were made for that hour.
 Weather Unsettled
 "Weather was unsettled. There were thunder showers and well defined mild squall line moved over the station.
 Several heavy showers occurred but there was no thunder.
 'The Hundenburg came over the station and proceeded to the South- ward to wait the landing hour.
 At 5:43 E. s. T., sent a message to the ship that they delay landing until we advised them, due to the unsettled weather conditions.
 "At 5:53 D. nn., we received a mes sage that the ship would wait until advised to land. It was signed: "Pruss." (Capt. Max Pruss, com mander of the zeppelin)
 At 6:12 B. s. T., sent another message to the Hindenhurg saying "Conditions now better. Ground crew ready. Thunderstorm over station,
 "The thunderstorm that said was over the station, we knew would clear away before the ship arrived back here" Rosendahl said.
 Advised Landing
 "At SIS advised the ship to land and 1t soon appeared"
 Rosendahl moved to the air field chart and began pointing out just where the ship came in to land.
 '"The ship appeared on a northerly course, passing over the mooring mast and turned left and circled and came in from the West. She circled and turned right to approach for landing in a general southern direction.
 .The weather condition at the time of landing were as follows; ceiling 2,OO0 to 5000 a light rain was falling, the surface wind was light and variable and was one knot Southeast.
 "The wind at the top of the water tower was West six knots.
 "There was occasional lightning in the Southwest, but local condi- tions were entirely satisfactory for the landing, in my opinion.
 "The ship made sharp turn to starboard but it was not unusual.
 "Ships with heliurn make longer style of approach than a hydrogen ship which can adjust her eQuili- briilm or static condition much more easily.
 "The approach was normal and utilized the backing power of her engines as is customary"
 Small Burst of Flame
 When the ship had dropped its guiding ropes and was letting out its mooring cable, Rosendahl con- tinued, "There was small burst of flame on the afterpart of the ship on the top" He told how the fire spread progressively through the airship, accompanied by mild ex- plosions.
 "It was obvious that the first ef-