AIRSHIP DISASTER.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 269, 6 August 1908, Page 8

AIRSHIP DISASTER.

. AN AUSTRALIAN STOWAWAY; ; . Just as John A. Morrell's airsliip left its moorings in.Berkeley shortly before noon (says : the-San' "Clironiclo",of'May, 27).', the 'the 19 < occupants of wfere precipitated :int'o- the'Meld;'whonce !I they''teiQ risen. ! 'Nine of the number lie groaning in cots, and at least two are not .expected to'live; . Vin! P.' Taylor, better,'known, as Captiin. Penfold, the Australian aeronaut, was one of the men most anxious to make the trip. He bothered Morrell all tho morning, entreating him for a passage on the,airship; but he .was flatly refused the privilege.' Then he offered ono of the engineers , of'tho propellers 60dol. if ho would smuggle'him into tho balloon. Penfold was again ■ curtly refused. Then he made up his mind'to stow away. -and, ■when nobody was looking,'.he xlambered. into the netting and hid-himself at the : bottom, which was covered withra-thick' mattress. Wrapped in canvas, lie lay quietly until the machine had left the ea'rth/ ; Strange enough; he was discovered by Morrell. himself, who . stepped on him as he was treading liis way toward tho rear of the balloon... "Officer, arrest this man," shouted Morrell in a rage. "Get him out of this machine. He has no right here.'" Penfold pleaded eloquently, and Morrell, who had'plenty to bother .him'-'at this stage' ; in the proceedings, shrugged his; shoulders !; and-abandoned his attempt tb .get. rid of his unwelcome, guest.' Penfold had little time to enjoy his hard-bought'privilege. Three minutes after the'airship soared into the sky, |. it came down -with a terrifid thump, and the Australian-aeronaut lay writhing in the wreckwith two broken feet and a' badly injured spine. Ho will probably-be r a cripple ; for life.