INQUIRY OPENS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 111, 12 May 1937, Page 8

INQUIRY OPENS

LOSS OF HINDENBURG

OFFICIAL MYSTIFIED AS TO CAUSE

.NEW YORK, May 10. Investigators of the crash of the Zeppelin Hindenburg at New Jersey today heard two witnesses, inspected the remains of the dirigible, - studied newsreels of the disaster, and adjourned until Wednesday. Tomorrow there will be services at the pier for the German victims, whose bodies are being returned to Germany. Commander Rosendahl, in charge of the Lakehurst station, in evidence, said that he was convinced that static had not caused the explosion. The landing lines were down four minutes before the explosion occurred' and they would have safely conducted all electricity to the ground. He said he was mystified as to the cause. Herr yon Meister, American representative of the Zeppelin Company, testified that there appeared to be some misunderstanding between the officers aloft and those on the ground concerning the handling of the starboard guide line. It was revealed during the hearing that Werner Franz, aged 12, a cabinboy, had a miraculous escape. He leaped from the keel at the moment of the crash and lay stunned by the drop. A huge ballast tank of water burst and threw water over him, wetting him and preventing him jjeing burnt. He revived a few seconds after the worst of the heat of the fire was over and ran to safety.