ALMOST LOST.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10734, 3 November 1928, Page 5

ALMOST LOST.

ZEPPELIN SAVED BY PROVID- •• • RNCE -

CAPTAIN’S THRILLING STORY

AIRSHIP DOWN WITHIN FIFTY YARDS OF SEA

THOUGHT DIRIGIBLE WAS BREAKING

United Press Assn, by El- Tel. Copyright (Australian Press Association.) (Received Nov. 2, 7.50 p.m.) FRIEDRIIOHSHAFEN, Nov.. 2. Captain E’ckener, addressing a crowd during a torchlight procession, described the difficulties of the flight through fog and storm.. He said he had never under-estimated the trans-ocean journey. Continuing, he said:—•

“Om* experience coming home * was so serious that I am convinced that we are still far from conquering the ocean. The headwind attained a velocity of 150 feet per second. The Zeppelin was once driven down within fifty yards of the sea and only providence saved us? I, had a feeling that, the Zeppelin was breaking to pieces, but finally it .mastered the storm.. “-We saw the ice mountains of Newfoundland beneath, and recognised the greatnessi of tho malicious drift of the Atlantic. Tile Zeppelin only steadied herself after the broken down engne had been mended. “We must build stronger engines that no longer will he a plaything in the grip of the elements. I now realise why sjo many transocean fliers found graves near Newfoundland. We must build airships strong enough to enable them to cross the ocean not solely to be avoiding, storm centres.” AVERAGE SPEED OF SIXTY MILES HOURLY AIRSHIP CANNOT COMPETE WITH LINERS united Presa Assn, by El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Pre«a Aa3n.» BERLIN, Nov. .1, The Zeppelin’s average cruising speed was just under 60 miles .an hour throughout, the 4000 miles. Captr Eckener clearly recognises that this is inadequate to compete with liners. He added:— “The Graf Zeppelin. is finished as far as a regular passenger service is concerned. We must build , quicker and stronger airships. Both trips were entirely luckless, encountering the worst possible weather. The storm over Newfoundland was terrible and brought the airship almost to a standstill for two hours, though the engines were running all the time. The ship heaved, rocked, and trembled, and only with the greatest difficulty did we succeed in manoeuvring to less hostile regions.”

Marshall von Hindenburg telegraphed a welcome, inviting Captain Eckenei* to Berlin. It is believed that he will go next week*

HERO OF THE DAY

AIRSHIP’S STOWAWAY

SIGNING AUTOGRAPHS BY

HUNDREDS

United Press Assn, by El. Tol. Copyrlgrit (Australian Presn Aaan.)

BERLIN, Nov. 1. While other passengers descended the ladder from the Graf Zeppelin, Clarence Terhune squirmed • through a porthole and two police who were awaiting him took him. to the office of the directors. Meanwhile the spectators had been aborting: “Where is the stowaway?” From then on Terhune became the hero of the occasion and was besieged by autograph hunters. H« was busy signing albums by the hundreds while the others had breakfast and slept. Terhune said he was refusing all jobs, and intended to return to the dear old United States within a week. - Hie airship carried 101,683 letters and postcards, weighing a ton, _ for which the German postal administration is credited with £15,142 by America. STOWAWAY INCIDENT A PRESS STUNT LAD SMUGGLED ABOARD BY HEARST REPORTERS United Press Assn, ty El. Tel. Copyright (Australian Pre»s Assn.) BERLIN, Nov. 1. The unromantic, truth of the stowaway on the Graf Zeppelin was revealed to-night* He was smuggled aboard the airship by reporters of the Hearst papers among the mail bags two: hours before the start, to lend “human interest.” The press viewpoint of the adventure has considerably changed.