AIRSHIP DISASTER.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 7

AIRSHIP DISASTER.

GERMAN DIRIGIBLE WRECKED IN A GALE. SIXTEEN LIVES LOST By Tclesraph—Press Association—Oopyrieht (Rec. September 10, 11.25 p.m.) Berlin, September 9. Tlio naval airship 'LI" was caught in a sudden gale, hurled out to sea, and wrecked eighteen miles northwards of Heligoland. Thirteen of thoso on board perished, and seven were rescued.

Tho "LI" was stationed at Cuxhaven and was participating in the naval manoeuvres. Whilo engaged in a scouting flight sho was suddenly struck amidships by a terrible gale. Thirteen were drowned, including Captain Motzing, tho commander of tho German Naval Airship Division, Captain Hanne, tho airship pilot, and also several members of tho Naval Commission, who were supervising tho airship trials. I'lio airship remained an hour on tho surface before sinking. It buckled in tho middle. Tho darkness and tho rouglmess of tho sea impeded the rescuers. Tho news of the disaster was telephoned to tho Kaiser at Salzbruenn. Tho Kaiser was greatly distressed. HEART SEIZURE IN MID-AIR. AVIATOR DIES AT THE WHEEL. (Rec. Sept-embor 10, 11.25 p.m.) Berlin, September 10. Doctor Rings, whilo circling Johannisthal, flying at a height of 900 feet, suddenly died of heart failure. His hands remained grasping _ tho wheel and tho monoplane continued steadily to ascend. A gust of wind then changed its position, throwing the deceased's woiglit over tho wneel and imparting to the machine a vertical position. It fell ten minutes after Ring's death. Tho aviator's hands were found to be still clasping the wheel. , A MIRACULOUS ESCAPE. i London, September 9. An aviator, who was testing an Anny aeroplane at Frensham, Surrey, lost control when at a height of - 2000 feet. Tho machino turned four somersaults, but recovered itself and landed safely. DIRICIBLE V. AEROPLANE. ZEPPELIN OUTMANOEUVRES RIVALS. "Times"—Sydney "Sun" Special Cables. (Rec. September 10, 7.35 p.m.) Berlin, September 9. ■ A Zeppelin airship during tho Freiburg manoeuvres destroyed, tho enemy's aeroplane station with bombs. Aeroplanes pursued the Zeppelin, which escaped. Tho airship was subsequently damaged whon alighting. Tho Army manoeuvres have begun in Silesia. Roth sides aro accompanied by airships. Numerous aircraft will bo employed to carry the officers of the Genoral Staff. Tho air craft will also engago in mimic bomb-throwing. Paris, Septemhor 10. The French aeroplano squadrons are concentrating, preparatory to _ attending tho Army manoeuvres. Six aeroplanes, followed by road by repair motor-cars, flew five hundred miles according to time-table. CODY'S MONOPLANE SOLD FOR £14. (Rec. September 10, 7.35 p.m.) London, September 10.

Tho late Mr. S. F. Cody's aviation equipment has been put lip to auction. His monoplano, which cost 1 £500 to build, fetched £14.