ZEPP. OFF TO TOKYO

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 743, 16 August 1929, Page 9

ZEPP. OFF TO TOKYO

SECOND LAP OF WORLD FLIGHT A MILLIONAIRE’S MISS (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) (United Service) BERLIN, Thursday. The Graf Zeppelin started from Friedrichsliafen for Tokyo at 4.30 a.m. today, in continuation of her cruise round the world. The airship started in ideal circumstances, and according to wireless messages she is now flying at an average speed of 62 miles an hour. Two intending passengers, Mr. Pierce, an American millionaire, and his wife, missed the Zeppelin, though they had made a rush journey from New York and chartered an airplane to fly across Europe in the hope of reaching Friedrichshafeu in time. The airplane developed engine trouble, however, and made a forced landing. Mr. and Mrs. Pierce just saw the airship passing over Berlin. In case the Zeppelin should be stranded in Siberia she carried a store of Arctic provisions and some guns. In that event Sir Hubert Wilkins, who again is a passenger, would take command of and guide the party to safety. Indeed he has formulated plans to meet such a crisis. These plans were kept secret until the last moment, the Zeppelin Company fearing that their disclosure might arouse fears that the airship was not expected to reach Tokyo safely.