Giant Dirigible Takes Northerly Path to Avoid Storms—Speeds Along at 75-Mile Rate
By United Press
WASHINGTON, Oct. 14.—Her wireless crackling out cheering that all aboard are well, at least three of her four motors roaring rymthically and speeding her towards her goal, the Zeppelin ZR-3 with four Americans and twenty-eight Germans, officers and men, was drawing near the United States today.
“We are headed directly for Newfoundland, making seventy-five nautical miles per hour. All our crew are well and the engines are in perfect condition.”
Shortly after 1 p. m. today the above message was relayed to the United Press from the Zeppelin ZR-3 by the Radio Corporation of America’s station at Chatham, Mass.
The report, the first direct one received from the oncoming dirigible this afternoon, indicates Dr. Eckener has abandoned the flight by way of Bermuda and is streaking for the northern coast to avoid storms.
The ZR-3 reported to the Radio Corporation of America’s station at Chatham, Mass., that it had reached the position 47.20 W., 42.30 N.
The Zeppelin is now expected at Lakehurst, N .J., between 6 a. m. and 11 a. m., Wednesday, in view of the fact it is now heading northward for Newfoundland, whence it will swing down the coast to New Jersey.
Navy officials early today received two messages from Captain Steele of Marion Ind., American observer abroad, via the Boston Navy yard.
Storms were brewing in the dirigible’s path and a local tornado was reported by the N. S. Navy weather service at 3 a. m.
American warships were scurrying to positions whence they best could aid the ZR-3 with reports of weather conditions, which now are the only cause of concern.
The United States Army transport Henderson and the cruiser Milwaukee were two which “spoke” to the Zeppelin after the North German Lloyd liner Stuttgart reported the airship’s position.
Throughout the night and early morning, the ZR-3’s wireless kept up a steady stream of reports—sometimes spluttering vainly for connections with land stations, sometimes ripping out a series of Vs, the wireless test letter. Always the messages were signed with the letters NERM, the Zeppelin’s radio signature. And always the cheery report, “All well.”
Steele said the ship had turned her blunt nose due west after passing the Azores, eliminating the Bermudas from her route and was pushing her way through the air at a good speed with three engines. The others have been cut off to save fuel.
A slight accident gave the crew a few anxious moments when one of the gas cells was torn over the Azores but It was speedily repaired, Steele said. The rip came when the ship soared down from 5,000 feet to which it had risen to valve off gas. Steele said the tear was due to descending too rapidly. The first message from Steele read:
“ZR-3 passed Azores this p. m. Wonderful view of islands. Passed over Patchwork-Method fields and farm mosaics. Dropped bag of personal mail from crew by parachute. Rose 5,000 feet and valved gas as ship was too light and blew most down. One gas cell slightly torn in descending to flying, but all repaired without damage. Running with three engines for economy, making forty eight knots air speed following light breeze and heading for Lakehurst.”
Second Message Received
The second message apparently was filed a half an hour later and came through the Boston navy yard. It read:
“ZR-3 making good progress. Passed San Miguel Island off Port Bow at 11:40 zone one time. Position at noon 38.50 N 23 W. Average speed sixty knots. Air pumpy first part of forenoon, calming latter part. Ship will set direct course from Azores to Lakehurst.
“Since blowing values this morning gas cells are about 90 per cent full, plenty of daylight inside hull, light coming through after cover and through window rear keel walk, just below nose can, where a fine view ahead may be had, but the keel corridor is a lonesome place.
“Wash water exhausted. Razors and tooth brushes having a real rest.Excellent dinner today; soup, boiled ham, string beans and pudding. Getting accustomed to routine; sleeping during off watches. Some energetic ones playing phonograph. Others writing letters. No card playing yet,
however, Picco Island just ahead
at 1.30.”
The Radio Corporation of America’s huge wireless station at Chatham, Mass., was one in frequent touch with the ZR-3. Lakehurst was receiving many of its reports from the dirigible by the way of this station.
Change Advised
When the local tornado was reported in the Zeppelin’s path, Navy men at the New Jersey air station suggested that by turning toward Charleston, S. C., the storm might be avoided.
The cruiser Detroit was called by the ZR 3 during the night, but had difficulty In getting an answer back.
“Have message for you,” the cruiser signaled the dirigible.
“Go ahead,” answered the ZR-3.
The Detroit’s operator didn’t receive the signal, so Lakehurst relayed the message, saying:
“The ZR-3 is listening. Send your message.”
A little later the ZR-3 was heard asking an unknown steamer regarding the weather conditions.
Thus, sometimes by devious routes through ether, the speeding airship kept on Its course, roaring steadily on into the dawn of Its third day out of Friederischshafen.
The Indianapolis Times, Indianapolis, IN, October 14, 1924