PROGRESS REPORTS

Evening Post, Volume CIX, Issue 120, 23 May 1930, Page 9

PROGRESS REPORTS

CROSSING EQUATOR

NEARING SOUTH AMEEICA

(Received 23rd May, 9 a.m.)

NEW YOEK, 22nd May.

The Graf Zeppelin reported at 6.38 p.m. (New York standard time) oii Wednesday that her position at 3.30 p.m. (New York standard time) had been latitude 11.49 north, longitude 25.25 west. It is,therefore concluded that the dirigible now'- is well over three-quarters of the way across the sea.

The crossing continues to be comfortable, with the exception of tho discomfort of intense heat, which has caused a considerable loss of water. The passengers are confining themselves to sponge baths of eau de Cologne.

Captain Eckener radioed the United Press: "We crossed the Equator at C a.m. (New York standard time) this morning, and expect to reach Fernambuco at 4 p.m. (New York time). We will Jand at Peraambuco and pass the night there in view of the otherwise unfavourable hour of arrival at Rio ie Janerio, where we would arrive lato in tho evening. The regular Neptune ceremonies were carried our over the Equator. An officer, acting as King Neptune, baptised nearly all the passengers and tho commander, amid great merriment "

Another message intercepted said: "It is still raining with the last four hours most intense. We are flying at an altitude of 500' metres using five motors. The airship is rolling slightly."

The Graf Zeppelin, seemingly tielayod by a storm, averaged approximately 55 miles an hour in the night.

A message from the Island of Fernando D'Oronha, Brazil, states that the Zeppelin passed there at 1.40 p.m. on Thursday.