AIRSHIP SAVED

Hawera Star, Volume XLV, 21 April 1925, Page 5

AIRSHIP SAVED

STORY OF R 33. COMMANDER’S ACHIEVEMENT. A SPLENDID EFFORT. BY CABLE—PRESS ASSOCIATION—COPYRIGHT. LONDON, April 17.“There is nothing to say; it is nothing at all,” said Flight Lieutenant Booth, edging from the reporters, anxious for an interview after the landing of the R 33.

One of the engineers was more communicative. He said: “Till 3.45 this morning we were going backwards all the time. We kept her nose pointing homeward, but could not make headway. We dared not run the engines all out with a damaged nose. Sometimes we were rather low over the water and Lieutenant Booth ordered the lifebelts to be placed handy. None had any sleep. The engines ran perfectly and did not give a moment’s trouble. The wind abated liefore dawn, we began to make headway, and reached 10 to 13 knots. Then we knew we were all right, but it was a jiear thing. When the engine landed only five hours’ petrol was left.” Commander Scott declares that the top of the mast was carried away first and the airship's* nose wa6 broken against the mast. As soon as it was discovered that she was drifting the crew let the forward ballast go and thereby the airship was lifted clear. The engines were running within three minutes.

Lieutenant Booth’s was the finest achievement with an airship in any country and demonstrated hat a damaged airship can lie brought safely through a storm to her home port. “Your efforts were splendid and rebound to the credit of all,” were the words telegraphed by Air Vice-Marshal Salmond to Flight-Lieutenant Booth. They reflect the feeling of the whole country towards the 30-year-old hero who piloted the crippled aircraft safely home after a nearly 30-hour unofficial flight across the North Sea. Mrs. Booth had been at Pul ham all night long, anxiously awaiting her husband.

The vessel limped home with her nose badly damaged and great rents showing in the envelope. The hare steel work was visible through the fabric throughout. It was an anxious night. The young wireless operator, Keely, remained at his post on board keeping her in touch with the land officials, who were directing her movements. The graphic story.of the grim struggle against the gale was told in brief telegrams. Progress was necessarily slow, as all five engines were not used simultaneously in order to conserve the fuel supply. Thousands gathered on the seafront at Lowestoft, eagerly' watching the approaching craft which passed over the town. There were further crowds of anxious watchers congregated by every) means of locomotion. Great cheers were raised when the craft was sighted. The work of manoeuvering the ship to the hanger occupied some 90 minutes. The faithful gunboat Dodetia, accompanied by two Dutch destroyers, followed the vessel until she made land.