AIRSHIP'S RETURN

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 270, 11 August 1919, Page 6

AIRSHIP'S RETURN

[ LOG OF R34 INTERESTING NOTES (London "Times" an<] Sydney "Sun.") London, July 13. 834 came to earth this morning in Norfolk like a giant ship sliding smoothly and securely to her berth. It was a memorable scene. The weather wa6 calm. The' monster gasbag glistened in the early sunlight, circled thrice, and > then descended sedately. A hundred eager hands seized guy-ropes, whilst the crowds which had gathered despite the earliness of the hour, cheered lustily, and the Ii.A.F. band played "See tho Conquering Hero Comes.'

Major Scott, tired and unshaven, but smiling, directed tho berthing with a huge megaphone. Then he stepped out from the glass doorway and said: "Wo had a damned fine trip." Ho was handed a bunch of congratulatory telegrams, including one from King George, extolling "This memorable and unique air voyage." On the voyage there was littlo incident. Things went swimmingly. General Mainland's log tells the simple tale. Over New V'orlc, which at midnight "looked a wonderful fairyland of twinkling lights," the air was much disturbed by the heat rising from the great city. They speed at 74 miles an hour across the American const, four engines going and tho fifth cooling. They found tho rum ration most enjoyable owing to tho increasing cold. New York admirers had provided scores of thermos flasks. These produced acceptable coffee, but the main sustonance were sandwiches and condens-, ed food. .

Gonei ' Maitland gives an interesting picture or sorting tho mail, whilst the scientists discussed tho future system of getting meteorological reports from tho sea, and the nightwntch slept. The journey homo took 75 hours three fninutes. A large bundle of tho "Philadelphia Public Ledger," consigned to the editor of the "Times," was on sale at the "Times" office at 10 this morning. "This," writes General Maitland, "is the fastest newspaper delivery ever organised, and the forerunner of regular interchange of written dispatches vindicating Lord Northcliffe's recent prophecy. Newspapers 600)1 will be deliverpd in New York from London the morn-) ing after publication.

Most of Trip Above the Clouds. Major Scott, in an interview, said that ho distinctly saw hundreds of thousands of white faces turned up amidst the garish light of New York. Sometimes the speed exceeded 82 miles. but these spurts usually only lasted an hour. "We struck light head-winds, slanting winds, and extreme eold, but generally it was pleasant holiday weather though rain and gales never were far distant. Most of the journey was above the clouds, but sometimes ns low as 500 feet altitude." The officers agree that it was an easy, comfortable and cafe _ trip, and proves the capacity of airships for long commercial journeys. Major Scott says that it was easier than ho thought it would be. A large airship unquestionably is the best typo for trans-ocean work. "We saved a thousand gallons of petrol on this homeward run, and could 'have carried another dozen men. future success depends largely on the size and petrol-carrying capacity an<J speed. We soon will be able to travel at a consistent speed of from 70 to 80 miles." General Maitjand declares that airships 6oon will be commercially used for long distanoes, aeroplanes radiating from the airship termini on 6hort-distance runs. The officers say that the airship cabins wero comfortable. There was no rocking, whilst the heaviest seas wero running beneath. The vessel maintained wireless contact with the shore throughout, and sometimes wireless telephony was used. Notes From the Log. A typical page of General Maitland'3 log is as follows:-10/7, 3.35 p.m. Averaged 55.3 knots'an hour since leaving Broadway. Steady as 11 rock, and unless one looks out of window one cannot realise that one is travelling. "4.50 p.m. Petrol consumption is working out at a gallon a mile. Cooke is getting easy observations en the sun, with a soa horizon. We managed that only twice coming out. "0.15 p.m. Five-masted 6ohooner in .full sail on starlward. An interesting 'contrast between old and new. Getting much colder. "8 p.m. Supper is over—soft boiled eggs and cocoa. All discuss impressions of American women around the diningtable. "11.7 a.m. The forward engine crank is notched and unrepairable. Cooke is sleeping .under the dining-table. ' Seems the most popular pinco. "6.4-0 a.m. Descended to 500 feet, in order to get under clouds. l?ine northerly wind beneath, south-westerly above; therefore rise. lit is due to Gulf Stream. "7.15 a.m. Getting full benefit oi the 85-knot south-west wind. "9 a.m. See storm eastwards, fantastic streaky cirrus venlosus, lurid coloured, and hundreds of miles away. "12.30 p.m. Lunch. The gramophone is a great-afset. Two members of crew can be seen doing a one-step.

"3.30 p.m. Have ri.ot seen the sea since 8.30. "4.30 p.m. Scott brings ship down to try and find water. At 900 feet stitl inVisible, so climb again, passing through five distinct separate strata or clouds. "4.45 p.m. Above clouds, a few blissful moments of beautiful cloud panorama; range upon range of white and slaty mountains, with 'deep wide valleys and occasional glimpses of bright blue sky. "5 p.m. Heavily raining. • "8.30 p.m. Still pouring. Windows and doors shut. Climbed, 'hut unable to get out of this teeming rain. "9.15 p.m. Dominican speaks us. Gives flier position and barometrical readings. We are quite closed but cannot 6eo her. "Midnight. Still pouring. Dropped a calcium flare, and estimated the drift. As wo lay in our hnmmooks listening to the rain beating pitilessly on the roof of our trusty ship our feelings were of complete confidence • and security. "6 a.m. Aft ergine broke valves. Cooke unable to get observation for 24 hours, though an average day in midAtlantic. "12.30 p.m. Overlooking 15,200 sc|. miles, yet do not seo a single Ship in this gigantic Atlantic." ' . I'ho log described the excitement at sighting Ireland. The officers gathered over a large chart and tried to pick out. their position. "What a strange, happy coincidence! These two little islands are the same which appeared out of the fog, and delighted the gaze of Alcock and Brown in their historic flight." The .rugged coastliuc and mountaintops peeping out of fleecy clouds were a magnificent panorama wcicoming back the navigators to British soil. "A northerly course, would have saved time, and undoubtedly captains of the big aerial linei£ of the future will become wily and cunning masters in selecting the right' way, 'height detours, and advantaging winds.