GRAF ZEPPELIN

Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1930, Page 5

GRAF ZEPPELIN

ARRIVAL AT PERNAMBUCO

(United Press Asaoeiaiflon—By Electric Telegraph— Copyright).

NEW YORK, May 22. * The Graf Zeppelin arrived at lerhiambuco at 4.32 p.m. (New York standard time). She circled the held and prepared to moor until the morning. Sue will take in fuel and water Uurhig tlie night and continue her journey to Rio do Janiero a daybreak.

GOOD LANDING

4000 MILES IN 61 HOURS

RIO DE J ANEIRO, May 23.

A Pernambuco message states that the distance from Seville to the landing place was four tuousand land miles and it was covered by the Zeppelin in exactly 61 hours. Only fifteen minutes were required to secure the ship safely to the mast. Commander Eckener, upon landing, was greatly pleased He said he had had some misgivings about landing at night on a strange field with a green crew.

Some delay was encountered in getting passengers off the field, winch had become a morass on account of the night’s downpour, Commander E kener and the Spanish Infanta, were escorted to the grandstand of the field, where they were warmly greeted by the Governor of the State, a.nd local officials. The party then departed to their hotel for dinner, and, as soon as they were off the field, the smokers lit cigarettes, they not having lit any for three days on the voyage. While the departure of the Graf Zeppelin may be delayed to-morrow, tlie gas-making machine was in immediate readiness, and the fuel was delivered It is expected that only nine hours will be necessary for the production of the required seven thousand cubic metres of gas, and this may rnake an early departure possible.

It is now not expected that the dirigible will make even a short landing at Rio de Janeiro, as Commander Eckener is uncertain of the air currents, and she is also expected to stop at Pernambuco on the south-bound leg.

It is stated that the Government has appropriated four thousand dollars to disburse the expenses of tlie dirigible’s trip from Pernambuco.