GRAF ZEPPELIN

Southland Times, Issue 21098, 2 June 1930, Page 7

GRAF ZEPPELIN

LANDS AT LAKEHURST TREMENDOUS RECEPTION PASSENGERS DELIGHTED WITH TRIP (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyrights (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, May 31. A message from Lakehurst, New Jersey, states that the Graf Zeppelin, accompanied by the dirigible Los Angeles, six aeroplanes and a blimp arrived at 7.30 a.m., New York standard time, and landed easily without the use of ropes at 7.35, 69 hours 12 minutes after leaving Pernambuco, with a total time in the air of 210 hours 57 minutes since leaving Friedrichshaven. Refuelling began quickly. Crowds which had been collecting since midnight gave the Zeppelin a tremendous reception as the dirigible berthed successfully in the hangar on a movable mast. Dr Eckener was looking rather weary and was eager to smoke. He stated that northward the flight had been successful till they passed Bermuda, where a terrific wind struck them. “It was much worse for a little while than the mighty wind that ripped a fin in mid-Atlantic in 1928.” He stated that commercial air traffic was not feasible below Pernambuco for Zeppelins, but aeroplanes could work the territory. The passengers remarked upon the great comfort and expressed satisfaction with the entire trip. The airship departs on Sunday night for Europe. EARLIER MESSAGE FUEL SHORTAGE. New York, May 30. A Lakehurst report states that the Graf Zeppelin will reach there to-morrow morning from Pernambuco. Dr Eckener advised that because of a shortage of fuel it would not call at Havana. The airship passed San Juan this morning and it was sighted by the steamer Coama at 9.30 this morning 303 miles north of San Juan, having averaged 88 land miles an hour since leaving that town as the result of following winds. A warning of bad storms off Tampa, Florida, has been issued by the Weather Bureau. Present reports indicate that the Graf Zeppelin is running swiftly towards the United States, averaging 73 nautical miles per hour in iiiiproving weather. The American Zeppelin representative,; Herr von Meister, stated: “The terrific tropical heat in Pernambuco, which caused a great expansion of the fuel gas and lifting gas, probably reduced the vessel’s ability to take the full load, thereby forcing Dr Eckener to miss Havana in order to arrive at Lakehurst with a fuel reserve complying with the requirements.” Naval officials assert that if he wishes, Dr Eckener can make Lakehurst as early as 2 a.m. on Saturday, but he will probably cruise slowly near his goal in order to land in daylight. Lakehurst is fully prepared. The Commander’s son, Knute, is awaiting to fly back with the dirigible, which is expected to leave for Saville on Sunday evening.

A later message stated that at 6 p.m. New York time, the airship was 400 miles southeast of South Carolina. Sir Hubert and Lady Wilkins are flying back in the dirigible to Germany.