HOT UP THERE

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 979, 23 May 1930, Page 11

HOT UP THERE

ZEPPELIN FLIES WELL, BUT HEAT INTENSE “BAPTISED” OVER EQUATOR Reed. 10,5 a.m. NEW YORK, Thurs. The Graf Zeppelin which is flying from Germany to America is now w'ell over three-quarters of the w T ay across the Atlantic. A message said the crossing continued to be comfortable except for the intense heat, w'liieh had caused considerable loss of water. The passengers confining themselves to sponge baths of Cologne water. Dr. Eckener, the commander, has radioed the United Press Association: “We crossed the Equator at 6 a.m. New York standard time and expect to reach Pernambuco at 4 p.m. New York time. “We will land at Pernambuco and pass the night there in view of the otherwise unfavourable hour of arrival at Rio de Janeiro, where we would arrive’ late in the evening. “Regular Neptune ceremonies were carried out over the Equator. Officer Fatlieriefler, acting as King Neptune, baptised nearly all the passengers and the commander, amid great merriment.”

Another message, which was intercepted, stated: “It is still raining, and in the last four hours has been most intense. We are flying at an altitude of 500 metres and are using five motors. The dirigible is rolling slightly.” The Graf Zeppelin seemingly was delayed by a storm, as it averaged approximately 55 miles an hour in the night. A later message from Pernambuco says the Zeppelin arrived on Thursday evening and will be moored until tomorrow at daybreak when after replenishing water, gas, fuel and provisions, it will leave for Rio de Janeiro.