AIRSHIP SLOWS DOWN ON FLIGHT TO CANADA

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 1039, 1 August 1930, Page 9

AIRSHIP SLOWS DOWN ON FLIGHT TO CANADA

MISHAP TO FIN OF RIOO MONTREAL GETS EXCITED United P A.—By Telegraph—Copyright Reed. 11.50 a.m. MONTREAL, Thurs. A message from Squadron-Leader R. S. Booth, in command of the Britisli airship RIOO, which is flying to Canada, was relayed from Louisburg, Nova Scotia, and received at St. Huberts, Montreal, at 12.31 a.m. today. The message related a laconic story of trouble in a fog off the Newfoundland Banks and said the dirigible’s speed had been cut down to nearly nothing. At that time she had hardly moved beyond the position wirelessed at 7.16 p.m. yesterday, which was 73 miles from Belle Isle. The RIOO radioed a message at 3.35 p.m. Eastern Standard Time advising that trouble Involving the rear fin fabric had caused a cut in the speed. This will probably delay the landing considerably. The message did not elaborate on the trouble. The latest position given was a few miles west of Quebec City. ALMOST AT STANDSTILL The airship wirelessed at 4.50 p.m. that temporary repairs had been completed to the damaged fin and the ship was making 20 knots. She is ex pected to arrive at 11 p.m. She was practically at a standstill in the vicinity of Quebec City for some hours.. A British Official Wireless message from Rugby says the airship expected to reach Montreal late tonight, Greenwich time, having taken about 65 hours for the journey from Cardington. This evening, followiug the course of the St. Lawrence, she encountered a strong head wind. She encircled Quebec on the way. Throughout the day she had made excellent progress despite assorted weather, including thick fog. She passed over several liners, whose passengers rushed to the boat decks and cheered her. She exchanged greetings with them all, saying that all on the airship were enjoying the trip, although they would be glad to reach Montreal, where they could smoke. Elaborate preparations have been made at St. Huberts airdrome at Montreal to deal with the record crowd waiting for the airship.