THE MACON DISASTER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LV, Issue 68, 16 February 1935, Page 6

THE MACON DISASTER.

The destruction of the United States airship Macon was happily not attended with the shocking loss of life that marked the disaster to the sister ship Akron in April of 1933. Participating in naval manoeuvres off the coast of California, the giant ship of the skies was close to rescuing vessels when the catastrophe occurred, and the crew, with the exception of two, were quickly taken from their collapsible boats after abandoning the Macon as it settled on the sea. All but three of the Akron’s crew of 77 men perished with its destruction, and among them were men who stood high in their country’s service. Of

the three saved Commander Wiley was one, and he was in charge of the Macon on her last flight. The history of the development of the airship is writ largely with tragedy, three of which stand out prominently. On August 24, 1921, the British airship R3B, while flying over Hull, broke in two and fell in flames to total destruction in the Humber. Fortyfour men lost their lives, among them distinguished officers of both the United States Navy and the Royal Air Force. The vessel was about to be transferred to the United States Government and the American crew selected to fly her across the Atlantic were on board. Nine years later the RlOl was destroyed when, out of control, she fell in flames near Beauvais in the early morning of October 5, 1930. Forty-eight men, some of the most brilliant in the science of aeronautics, perished in a disaster that stirred the whole Empire. This was the airship’s first long flight, and the purpose of her construction was to cleA r elop a service .to India and afterwards to Australia. High holies surrounded the voyage, elaborate plans were made in Egypt and in India to receive the marvellous ship of the skies, but they were struck a blow which has entirely changed the whole outlook in Britain towards airships. The Akron disaster of nearly two years ago again gave impressive support to the people who declared that airships were unwieldy, that they could not ride out storms wifh a sufficient degree of safety, and were susceptible to grave dangers in the air. The largest airship in the world, she had been in' commission since the previous September, and among her successful flights was one in which 20T passengers were carried. A Naval Commission which was charged with an investigation into her airworthiness completely vindicated the ship, which, however, was not of sufficient strength to withstand a storm at sea when engaged in an important flight. The two airships were constructed for the United States Navy in pursuance of its investigations into the development of lighter than air craft. They each cost approximately £500,000, but the Macon was considered to be an improvement in design. Her destruction has caused much misgiving in the United States where the merits of airships and aeroplanes have been actively canvassed. It is rather singular that after two years’ discussion the Aviation Commission appointed by President Roosevelt should have recommended the construction of two more dirigibles. In Britain the disaster to the RlOl. caused a complete halt in the construction of lighter than air craft, and President Roosevelt declares that no more money will be spent on them in the meantime. In spite of Commander Sir Dennistoun Burney’s view that they are worth persevering- with, there is much to be said for the contention that they cannot ride out storms. The Graf Zeppelin has made numerous voyages across the Atlantic and elsewhere, but even this craft has known the extremely narrow margin between safety and disaster. .Dr Eckener’s airship has certainly succeeded where others have failed, but it has not made their future successfully assured.