ZEPPLIN COMMENCES LONG FLIGHT

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LVII, Issue 10147, 9 August 1929, Page 3

ZEPPLIN COMMENCES LONG FLIGHT

TWENTY TWO PASSENGERS A BOA UJO

ROUND THE WORLD

New York, Aug. 7. The Graf Zeppelin left Lakehurst. New Jersey, at 11.42 p.m. to-day, Eastern standard time, on her round-the-world flight. The weather was favourable. The airship carried 22 passengers, including Sir Hubert Wilkins, the wellknown explorer, and Lady Drummond Hay, journalist, who was the only woman on board. Seven of the passengers are to make the entire trip. There was a largo and enthusiastic crowd of spectators. The principal effect of the round-the-world flight, if successful, is expected to be to give the public that measure of confidence which will permit of the establishment of a regular trans-Atlantic dirigible service in 1931. Dr. Eckener said he hoped to have the assistance of the people into whose country he might be forced to descend. Dr. Eckener intends to endeavour to navigate the Graf Zeppelin round the world in 11 flying days, leaving about nine days for refuelling and for receptions. The total flying distance will he 20,000 miles. The longest non-stop stage of the flight will he between Friedrichsha.'en and Tokio, 6500 miles.