WASHINGTON, July s.—(United Press.)— Encountering head winds over Nova Scotia and with the petrol supply rapidly becoming exhausted, the huge British dirigible R-34 today wirelessed the navy department for help. The navy immediately responded by ordering the Fatilla, a fast steam yacht in government service, and two destroyers to rush to the assistance of the airship.
The R-34 appears to have been so severely buffeted by unexpected gales that she has been unable to make the progress expected, and with the gasoline dangerously low, was believed in peril of becoming practically a derelict of the air, at the mercy of the wind.
The first cry of distress from the R-34 WM picked up by the navy stations. It said that flying across Nova Scotia the air dreadnaught had encountered strong head winds and that the petrol was running short. Five minutes later another message was received addressed to the navy and signed by Lieutenant Commander Lansdowne, an American on the dirigible. This message asked whether a destroyer could proceed, If required, to the southern end of the Bay of Fundy to take the R-34 In tow.
The following message was sent from the navy department to the R-34 at 2:19 p. m.:
“Fatilla left for Cross Island, Maine, 13:30 p. m, to assist you. Two destroyers leaving Boston. Will communicate with you.”
The commandant of the First naval district sent to the navy department the following message at 12:40 p. m.:
“U. S. S. Fatilla left Cross island for Machias, Maine, 12:30 p. m. to assistance of the R-34. U. S. S. Stevens and Bancroft will leave Boston navy yard about 3 p. m. to assistance of R-34. Submarine chaser 407 ordered from Bar Harbor, Maine, to assist R-34.”
A third message from the R-34 received at the navy shortly after 2 p. m. showed her to be about 220 miles northeast of Cross Island, Maine, and asked If destroyers were on the way. The message read:
“Position 45 degrees, 21 minutes north, 64 degrees west. Course southwest true. Running out of fuel after flight from Britain. Please tell me if your destroyers are coming.”
(The position given would locate the R-34 over the north shore of Minas bay, an arm of the Bay of Fundy, about 20 miles east of Parrsboro, where the Handley-Paige airplane was forced to land today.)
Early this afternoon a dispatch from Parrsboro reported the R-34 passing over that town with every appearance of everything going well with her.
Benson Orders Aid
Admiral Benson, acting secretary of the navy, in the absence of Secretary Daniels and Assistant Secretary Roosevelt, ordered the steam yacht and the destroyers to proceed immediately to the last reported position of the R-34. The yacht was at Crow island. Maine. 40 miles from the Maine border, and the destroyers were attached to the First naval district, headquarters at Boston.
Navy department officials here in sending the three vessels did so as a measure of precaution, as a single craft might not be able to handle the huge airship, especially if strong winds prevailed. There wan no positive assurance that the R-34 would need help, as its messages merely asked if a destroyer could be sent “if required.”
If the gasoline supply should run out before the R-34 reaches Roosevelt field, and the crew of the airship attempt a landing, it was feared the dirigible would be wrecked, as there is no field in the United States equipped to handle the airship and anchor it other than Roosevelt field, where the navy is in charge of operations, and where a big crowd today awaited the British dirigible’s arrival.
Should the R-34 become helpless in the air, it was believed that even the three navy craft ordered to the scene would have great difficulty in hauling it to some sheltered location where it could be deflated.
One plan suggested was that the destroyers tow her to a point on the coast nearest to Roosevelt field, so she could make a dash for the landing grounds with the small quantity of gasoline remaining in her tanks.
BOSTON, July 6—(United Press.)—A wireless message picked up by the naval radio station here shortly before noon today convinced naval officials that the British dirigible R-34, en route from Scotland to Long Island, may be forced to descend in the vicinity of the Bay of Fundy.
The message, addressed to the navy department at Washington, said:
“Could destroyer proceed to the southern end of Bay of Fundy and take his majesty’s airship R-34 in tow?”
(Signed) “LANSDOWNE.”
Lieut. Commander Zachary Lansdowne Is the American naval officer assigned to the dirigible as an observer.
The message, which was relayed here from the naval radio at Otter Cliffs, Me., gave no details, but naval officers were inclined to believe the airship’s flight may be temporarily interrupted. The belief was expressed, however, that had the dirigible been in real peril, a more urgent call would have been sent out.
The Bay of Fundy extends from the eastern boundary of Maine, northeastward between Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, it Is about 100 miles long and 50 miles wide.
Hope Airship Can Land by Tomorrow
MINEOLA, L. I., July 6.—Lieut. Col. Lucas, commandant at Roosevelt field, announced shortly after 1 p. m. today that he had just received a message from Maj. Scott, commanding the R-34, stating the dirigible would arrive here tomorrow morning.
Lucas called attention to the fact that the R 34’s message, inquiring about the availability of a destroyer, in case assistance were needed, was signed by the American observer, Lieut. Com. Landsdowne instead of Scott. He said he accepted this as indicating the R34 was in no serious danger.
The Seattle Star, Seattle, WA, July 5, 1919