GRAF ZEPPELIN

Hokitika Guardian, 20 May 1929, Page 6

GRAF ZEPPELIN

LANDS SAFELY. AFTER. ANXIOUS TIME. (United Press Association.—By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright.), LONDON, May 17. The Graf Zeppelin has landed at Cuers in France. PARIS, May 17. Eckener. in a wireless message, states that lie intends trying to land at Valence. The message indicated that serious damage occurred to the airship causing considerable alarm. french authorities at Valence wirelessed that the Zeppelin arrived, apparently stopped the engines, and drifted away to the south-east before a stiff wind. I lie airship was later seen over Saillans, and palpably had difficulties in turning about, and apparently was unable to resist'the wind*, which was driving her southward at twenty miles an hour. LONDON, May 18. Sir H. G. Wilkins wirelessed the “Evening Standard” that there uas no danger. All were chccrlul. Iho fuel is estimated to last a week, which is comforting to those on board.- ■ The latest from Berlin says that the third motor is now amiss, doing only 8} hourly. There is some pessimism at the capital. Official circles are anxious. AT MERCY OF STORM. ..... LONDON, May 18. Commander Eckener, before the Zeppelin reached Valence, broadcasted a wireless message asking: “What are the best located landing places .in your, vicinity? Please advise the Valence garrison to have troops in readiness. Thence forward the Graf Zeppelin was continually sending wireless messages, or dropping handwritten notes to earth, each with an urgent plea to organise troops at all of the available aerodromes. fn response to the appeals, troops were hurriedly drafted to the Y alence aerodrome, and were given instructions as to handling the zeppelin, but later . Commander Eckener signalled that he intended trying another course instead of risking a landing. After the airship reached Avignon,; ' in the south of France, the wind was somewhat less violent, though it was still hindering navigation, the airship being often observed broadside on to the wind.

Over Carpentras the airship was twice turned round upon its axis ,by the force of the wind. There was a crowd below watching open-mouthed, fearing that it would break. Two efforts made to land failed. One was at Ancone, and j the other at Jstres, near Marseilles. The force of the wind there drove the zeppelin away before the waiting crowds were able to seize the ropes.

APPEAL TO NAVAL AUTHORITY. PARIS, -day 18. Twelve miles north of Marseilles, Commander Eckener restarted the motor, in order to avoid being blown to sea. Finally he wirelessed, asking permission -to land at the Naval Aerodrome at Toulon. The reply from’ the French nuthoyi-. ties was: “ Land anywhere you like, at any time. "Wc will do cveiitiling to facilitate it.” SAFE LANDING. AT TOULON AERODROME.

PARIS, May 18. Night threatened before the monster Zeppelin airship found a safe descending point, hut, happily, the circumstances at Toulon were favouraolo,.and the wind dropped. There was a small staff of attendants who were able to catch the Zeppelin’s ropes, while one thousand men were hurriedly .summoned in order to moor her. The airship lauded at France’s chief aviation base without any damage, and nobody was injured. While a crowd and the staff of the aerodrome held on to the ropes-, soldiers were rushed from Toulon, and crowds of volunteers also appeared from the nearby factories. Within lmlf-an-hour the Zeppelin was got into a hangar. The passengers and crew were then landed by means of ladders. Many of the passengers showed signs of seasickness, owing to .the buffeting the airship had while drifting. FRANCE’S HELP. ACKNOWLEDGED BY GERMANS. PARIS, May 19.^ All of the passport find examination was waived. Everyone was relieved that the perilous journey had ended. The Zeppelin Coy. as soon as itheard that the Graf Zeppelin had landed, wirelessed to the French Air Ministry as follows: “Thanks for your kindness, and 'for your wonderful services and advice during the hours of anxiety.” The French Government has granted permission 'for the Zeppelin company to send new engines for the airship by motor ear. GERMAN RELIEF. -VT THE SAFE LANDING. BERLIN, May 18. The news of the Zeppelin’s landing ip France has been received with deep thankfulness, following on an afternoon of increasing alarm. 'I he fate of the Zeppelin was the only topic anywlioio. German broadcasting stations I

abandoned part of their programme tonight in order to send out the latest news. it is generally admitted that the flight shows that the trans-Atlantic flights are too hazardoutr'lor an airship, as small as the Graf Zeppelin and that they must follow Britain’s example and build bigger and stronger airships il they are to become a commercial proposition. WAS THERE SABOTAGE? BERLIN, May 18. At Fricdrichshave.n, an official was questioned concerning a report .that the airship’s plight,was due to an act of sabotage. He said that a full in\estigation would be made as soon as the airship returned, when the report would be investigated. NEW ENGINES EN ROUTE. BE IMA X, May IS. Four new engines for the Graf Zeppelin have been despatched to Toulon by train. Doctor Duerr, the chief constructor •>f the Zeppelin works, accompanies them, and he will superintend their installation. MINOR. PARTS STRAINED. 1 ' LONDON, May 19. Toulon reports' the Zeppelin has been examined. Only minor parts’ • were' found to be. strained'.’ The engines will not be' examined until the . arrival ’of i lie experts. ' Eckeiicr says he does not believe it 1.0 be a. case of foul play. The question whether they will resume the ; flight' or return to Germany has not yet been 'decided.