ZEPP. ALOFT AGAIN

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 757, 2 September 1929, Page 9

ZEPP. ALOFT AGAIN

! ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO FRIEDRICHSHAFEN SHIP REPORTS ALL WELL (Australian and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 9.5 a.m. NEW YORK, Sunday. The Graf Zeppelin, which was forced to postpone its midnight start for Friedrichshafen because of cross and head winds, finally left Lakehurst, New Jersey, at 5.20 this morning. Three thousand onlookers remained aJi night and cheered the departure. The officers still believed they could make a new round-the-world record between Germany and return. The Zeppelin’s commander, Dr. Hugo Eckener, witnessed the departure. For this trip he has relinquished the command to Captain Ernst Lehmann. The weather is favourable. The British steamer Carlton, at 3.39 Greenwich mean time, reported that the dirigible was flying low. Everything apparently was going well at 39.00 north latitude by 69.15 west longitude. The Graf Zeppelin advised the Navy Department that she was 630 miles due east of Cape Henlopen, New Jersey, at 3 o’clock this afternoon. Her average speed since the start had been 84 miles an hour. The dirigible gave uo further information and will continue, while within range of the Arlington radio station, to communicate once every four hours. The Zeppelin carries 44 of a crew and 22 passengers, among whom were two women. She has 1,5931 bof cargo, 4001 b of mail, and 1,4001 b of food. The cargo included consignments of lawnmowers, women’s pyjamas, and other goods from Philadelphia department stores. Officials stated that in order to make a new record for a round-the-worid flight, the Graf Zeppelin can arrive at Friedrichshafen at any time before six o’clock on Thursday morning. If the airship arrived at that time, it would equal the record from Lakehurst to Lakehurst. The officers hoped to arrive on Tuesday night, and were certain they would arrive by Wednesday. Two youths who were attempting to stow away on the airship were removed before the departure was taken by the police. The crew discovered upon arrival at Lakehurst that someone had fired a rifle slug through the rear gas compartment on the transcontinental trip, but the damage was slight. Lakehurst officials comparsd the incident with the arrest a short time ago of a man who fired a rifle at the United States Navy dirigible Los Angeles. A British Official Wireless message says the Graf Zeppelin’s flight round the world in a little over 21 days lias been followed with the closest interest in England. The newspapers pay a tribute to her commander, Dr. Hugo Eckener, and her crew on the success of their bold undertaking. It is claimed as a notable indication of the value of airships for long-distance journeys. Interest in Britain in the achievement was increased owing to the fact that an eye-witness’s account of the landing of the Graf Zeppelin at Lakeburst, New Jersey, yesterday was successfully rebroadcast to wireless listeners in Britain. There was but little distortion, and the reception improved as the broadcast proceeded.