BACK FROM AMERICA

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1207, 12 November 1919, Page 7

BACK FROM AMERICA

R34's GREAT HOMEWARD FLIGHT,

HOW IT. WAS ACCOMPLISHED,

Like a small grey cloud, distinguishable from the darker clouds around her, the R34 came slowly into vision (states a Pulham message to a London daily). Tho sky cleared a little, and the larks poured forth their Sunday morning hymn in the quiet air, as if singing a song of gladness at the arrival of the greateso of all the denizens of the,air and the success of the most wonderful flignt ol all time. Nearer and nearer she came, with her bow down, now taking the form of a great fish, until the letters " R34 " for; and aft came into view. With an easy, quiet motion she came stra'gjit for Hie landing ground at a height of about 1,000 feet. Her envelope was dark and weatherstained, but the gentle ease and grace with which she swept around in her first circle made it seem impossible she could have been to America and back. Her front went up as she made a small circle like an inverted figure six, and from the foremost car flashed a message to the ground. Major Scott, the commander, afterwards explained that he Was endeavoring to obtain a ground temperature, and he found ' it was lower than that of his height, and so he went round the ground again in a big circle, letting off gas as he went. Mow one, now another of her four workable engines (.vas brought into use, and suddenly her head dipped as she came straight down for the landing party. There .was a shout, and a long rope came l.iuti.'ng out of the car and dangled tantahsiiigly about 20ft over the heads of the 400 airmen who formed the landing party. On went the ship and lower. , There was a rush for the cable, and in a few moments a dozen outstretched hands had caught it, and R34 was connected with England again. It was the work of a few minutes to run a number of ropes through the cable and haul the airship down. As rJ:e came down a great quantity of water ballast poured out a deluge on a number of the landing party, whose efforts to get out of the way amused - the few civilians of the neighborhood who had come to witness the arrival. As the car came dashing to the ground R34's occupants clustered round the windows, all somewhat dirty, and. bearing tho marks of the big strain the}' had undergone, but with smiling faces on which was written the joy they felt at the triumphant conclusion of their ltiarvel- ; bus voyage. THE VESSEL'S LOG.

The Ah' Ministry on Sunday issued General Maitland's log concerning the R34's homeward journey. The. diary makes interesting reading, and in it the officer says : New York at midnight looks wonderful from above, miles and miles of tiny bright twinkling lights; veritable fairyland. We distinctly sec thousands of upturned faces. The air feels very disturbed owing to an approaching cyclone from the great lakes. The airship, however, heads for home steadily with 3.C00 miles between us and our 'Scottish base.

Thursday, 9.15 a.m.—We find we have quite a large collection of parcels aud letters of all descriptions, including some for the King, Foreign i)flico, Admiralty, and the Postmaster-General. 10.45 a.m.—Cook asleep under dining room table. 12 noon. —Lunch (cold), Bologna-sausage, pickles, and stewed pineapples, and a ration of rum. The latter was much appreciated, as the weather tinned much colder.

1.5 p.m.—Speed 56 knots, se.a very rough. It is easy to see surface ships woiild be having an extremely bad time. Up hero we are as steady as a lock, anil unless one looks out of the window we would hardly realise wo were travelling at all.

4.50 p.m.—We have covered SOO miles fioniiXew York in 16 hours. Thg petrol consumption works out at about orje gallon a mile. Weather clear, very good visibility ; speed 35 to 40 miles, according to dip. Cooke determined, bis position by observation of the sun and sea horizon. There were only two occasions when hewas able to do this on the outward journey owing to clouds. 6.15 p.m.—A live-masted schooner under full sail five miles away is an interesting contrast between the old and new sailing ship and the airship. 8 p.m.—l'ritchard goes to sleep under dining room table. This position seems a much-sought-after point of vantage in the ship. , . 4.20 a.m., July, Friday.--Foremost of two engines in aft car breaks down and is quite beyond repair. 10.30 a.m.—Scott decides to keep on 0..000 ft level to avoid- necessity of losinggas i'#>m expansion, which to-day is precious.

12.30 p.m.—Our new gramophone is a vitally better instrument than the one we endured on the outward voyage, and I saw Luck and Harris doing quite, a nice one-step together. 3.30 p.m.—Still at 3,000 ft, in and out of clouds at intervals.

4.30 p.m.—ln coming down to 900 ft to try to see water, we pass through no less than five distinct and separate cloud strata. •

4.45 p.m.—We appear above the clouds for a few blissful moments, and see a beautiful cloud panorama—range upon range (t of alternate white and slate-colored mountains. Picked up H.M.S. Cumberhind on Marconi.

7.5 p.m.—Passing through wet rain clouds. Very cold and dark. All windows and,door shut.

B.3o.—Still pouring with rain. Height, 4,000rt. Very dark. No visibility. B.so.—Just* succeeded in getting East Fortune, 1,100 miles away.

Saturday; 12.45 a.m. —Magnificent sunrise. , 6 a.m. —Running on three engines, aft engine having broken valves. Clouds beneath us look like a gigantic, soft, springy, fleecy, white feather bed, and they lill one with a strange, almost irresistible, feeling of wishing to jump down into them.

B.a.m. —Message received from Mr G. C'onstahtinesco, the brilliant Rumanian inventor of the Sonic transmission, welcoming us back to England. 7.25 p.m.—Laud in sight on starboard bow. Great enthusiasm on board. First spotted by Colonel Hemsley, U.S. Aviation Department. 8 p.m.—Crossed coastline, a. liltie to the north of Clil'den. Time since crossing' American coast, 61h 33m iv.

9.10 p.m.—Two-seater aeroplane Hying past us,and under us, waving welcome. 11.20 p.m.—Message from Air Ministry to say we are to land at Pulham. Wo ask if we may land at East Fortune, our original objective. The reply is to land at Pulham, so we assume there is some special reason, and* alter course accordingly. Sunday, 5 a.m.—Wireless message of congratulation received from tho King. 6.20 a.m. —Over Pulham air station/' 6.s7.—Landed. Total time of the return journey. Long Island to Pulham, Norfolk, 75h 3min, or 3d 3h 3'miu.