SHENANDOAH DISASTER

Hokitika Guardian, 21 September 1925, Page 2

SHENANDOAH DISASTER

SENSaTIONA G STATEMENTS. [Australia A N.Z, Cable Association.] SAX FRANCISCO, Sept. 19. A message from Cambridge, Ohio, states an article published in tho “Jeffersonian’’ declares the airship Shenandoah was in distress for at least two hours before she crashed, during which period no winds were recorded stronger than -10 miles an houi, thus intimating that some cause other than tho storm precipitated the disaster. The disclosures are based on records recovered from souvenir hunters after the crash, and also on statements from the survivors immediately after tho disaster, and statements from many newly discovered witnoses. such as Dr. Arum. of 1-ora City, who states lie saw the Shenandoah at 3.30 a.m. when she passed over Lira City. The tail of the ship was then upturned, and it had evidently lost its buoyancy. It was tumbling and rolling nose down. It was apparent that the pilot was fighting to keep the ship from rising to a creator altitude.

Mr George Davies says lie saw the airship over Cambridge at 4.15 a.m. travelling low. not higher than 2500 feet, and apparently in distress. Its tail was upturned, and the vessel turned off on a southward course about three miles west of Cambridge. Tho night was then calm and clear. Mr Davies’s statement of the altitude is eorrohorated by the Barograph. The shi]i's dock stopped at 5.3*5. The Shenandoah crashed fourteen miles south of Cambridge. Thus tho dirigible took- two hours and five minutes to travel the last* 22 miles. Mr D. Stevens, of Cambridge, stated that ho was sitting in the porch of his homo near the scene of the crash. Tho storm was a mild one. Be said: It aßpeared to mo that the ship’s distress was not caused by the storm, which I would not call severe in the least.” The articles in the “Jeffersonian” states that some of the et-ew declared immediately after the crash, that olio of the crew Itoeame excited, and opened a valve while there was extreme pressure on the cells, which blew tho valve and hurst* a cell. Another of the crew declared the commander surveyed the weather report at* midnight and remarked that, there would be perfect weather for a landing next day. The nearest storms reported wero slight. The article concludes: “The evidence obtained at the preliminary inquiry showed conclusively that the velocity of the wind never reached more than 111 miles an hour.”

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fAustralia A N.Z. Cable Association.] HAWAIIAN FLIGHT. SAX FRANCISCO. Sept, 18. Officials declare that the contemplated flight of the P.B. 1 to Hawaii will not take place this year. l’.B. t whicli was left behind when tho other seaplanes attempted the flight, is not vet in shape for a real flight*, hut will make a test flight* on Sept, 21st. before leaving for Sail Diego, where she will he permanently based. IT. ft.A. FLEET CRUISE. HONOLULU. Sept. 18. The United States battle fleet hade farewell to the mid-I’acifie. waters, and has teamed eastward for the mainland. The Idaho left nil September 17th. for Sail Francisco, hearing Comnratuler Rodgers and the crew of the seaplane ]> X. 91. The remainder of the ships formed off Diamond Head to-day. headed hv the California. It: is proceeding to San l’edro. where the formal transfer of the Fleet will lie made from Admiral 'Count/, (retiring) to Admiral Robison. THE COMMUNIST M.R. WASHINGTON. September 18. President Coolidge feels that the officials had no alternative when they revoked the passport of AD- Saklatvala, the British Communist M.R. The fact that lie was a Communist momlier of the British Parliament, in the opinion of the President, does not give him any special status. Senator Borah has expressed apprehension that this action might ho harmful to American interests in India. lie said that, Mr Saklatvala was in a position to make demands to the British Government that India he represented at the Tutor-Parliamentary meeting. If this should happen, the opposition to a Communist s entry might he withdrawn.

IRISH REPUBLICANS IX ITS.A XEAV YORK. Sent. 18.

Greeted by shouts of ‘‘Black and Tans.” and a shower of eggs, and tomatoes by over one hundred Republicans. Bichard Muhahy, formerly Commandin' of the Irish Free State Army, and four companions had a strenuous time after disembarking from the liner President Roosevelt on 'Thursday night, before they were rescued by the police. They are now on route to M’a-hingtou to attend the. inter-Parlia-mentarv conference.