SHENANDOAH SAFE

Dominion, Volume 18, Issue 97, 19 January 1924, Page 7

SHENANDOAH SAFE

AMERICAN AIRSHIP RIDES OUT GALE . ' RETURNS TO HANGAR UNDAMAGED •> The American airship, which was torn from her mooring masts by a gale has., returned safely, but the popular apprehension in tho United States , respecting the safety.of diri- " gibles has not been allayed and a resolution has been submitted in the Senate urging., investigation. By Telegraph—Press Association. Copyright. Vancouver, January 17. A message from Lake Hurst, N.J., states that the airship Shenandoah rode out the gale for nine hours, and returned safely to her hangar undamaged. —Aus.-N-Z. Cable Assn. [The navy airship Shenandoah was torn away .from her mooring masts by a strong gale and much anxiety wag felt as to her fate, as .she had a crew of thirty on board. The Shenandoah is identical with the naval airship ZRI, which cost 1,000,000 dollars, took two jears to build, and has a cruising range of 500 miles. It uses the non-inflammable helium gas. It is proposed that the aitelnp, with six aeroplanes and two sea vessels, with mooring masts, should explore tho unknown area between Alaska and the North Pole. This expedition is to determine the commercial practicability of trans-Polar air rtmtes.] QUALIFIED TO UNDERTAKE POLAR TRIP NAVY SECRETARY’S COMMENT Washington, January 17. Commenting on the Shanandoah 9 safe return, Mr. Edwin Denby. Secretary of the Navy, said that she had fully qualified herself to undertake the Polar trip by her midnight flight. The Shenandoah had demonstrated that the mooring facilities were adequate in the most unusual weather, and as long as she had fuel and provisions she .was • safe in the air. “It is hardly possible,” he said, “that the Shenandoah will encounter on the Arctic expedition any test so severe as that witch she has already met so successfully.”— Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn. SAFETY OF DIRIGIBLES DISCUSSED IN THE SENATE (Rec. January 18, 9.25 p.m.) Washington, January 17. The naval circle’s assurances regarding the safety of dirigibles apparently has not dispelled scepticism. The resolution submitted in the House ot Representatives requesting the Navy Department to inform the Housw what scientific facts could be ascertained by the proposed Polar flight of the ZRI, and whether the French airship Dixmude’s defects had been corrected in the ZRI, has found a Senatorial echo, Senator King (Utah) having introduced a resolution asking that in investigation be made ; nto the advisability of the construction of dirigibles." ■••'Tho resolution states that owing to the danger of their operation the Senate should consider the withdrawing of appropriations for further construction. Senator King said the Shenandoah’s accident showed the risk the Polar flight would entail. It would be a virtual invitation to officers cf the navy to commit suicide. The flight could be of no possible assistance to the future defence of the country. Incidentally the resolution has gained impetus through a report that the repairs to the Shenandoah would cost approximately 100,00 U dollars.—Aus.-N.Z. Cable Assn.