ZEPPELIN EMPRISE

Northern Advocate, 13 October 1928, Page 9

ZEPPELIN EMPRISE

TRANS-ATLANTIC VENTURE ADVERSE WEATHER. PROGRESS RETARDED. (Australian Press Assn.—United Service.) (Received 10.2 a.m.) LONDON, October 12. A message from Friedrichshafen states that adverse weather is hampering the Graf Zeppelin L.Z.127, and it will probably bo 100 hours before she will reach Lakehurst, compared with the 75 hours of Z.R.3, whose course was 2000 kilometres shorter.

Nothing has been received direct from the Graf Zeppelin since i -last night, but her wireless was heard code-talking with steamers since 7 o’clock this morning. A Berlin message says that the airship appears to be making slower progress than was expected. If, the times are correct, she took five hours to dg 150 miles from Barcelona to Castcllon do la Plana, and then only five hours to do 410 miles from ; the latter place to' Gibraltar, where she passed at 5 o ’clock this morning. She had previously wirelessed ‘ that she hoped to pass the Azores at 2 o’clock this morning.

AT ALL COSTS.

DR ECKENER CONFIDENT,

(Australian Press Assn. —United Service.)

(Received 11.40 a.m.) LONDON, October 12,

A message from Ponta Delgada (Azores) states that the Graf Zeppelin passed over Madeira at 1.35 p.m. (Greenwich time). It sent' a wireless message that it would pass the Azores tonight. The passengers were exceedingly airsick. The 'Graf Zeppelin’s timetable after, Basle read®/ —Belfort 0.45, Bron (near Lyons) 12.25, Montolimar 2.4, Saintes del Amer 3.30, and Barcelona 6.50, Thereafter the messages are confused, but it is recalled that Dr Eckencr, before the start was made, expreissly warned the public against anxiety! if there were no news. ’ : '

There is some surprise that -the Graf Zeppelin is making the voyage during bad weather. It is known that Dr Eckener admitted that the weather was. dirty 'enough outside, but as ; he glanced at the airship ho seemed full of confidence and said he would go at all costs. ■ FORGING AHEAD. GOOD PROGRESS REPORTED. (Australian Press Association.) (Received 1.30 p.m.) LONDON, October 12. The Zeppelin’s position at 7 o’clock (Greenwich mean time) was 37.43 north,, and 33.43 west, which is west of the Azores. A strong westerly wind is increasing, with some rain.

BAD ROUTE- FOR AIRSHIPS,

GRAF EFFICIENCY COMMENDED

{Australian Press Association.) j (Received 9 a.m., LONDON, October 12,

Commenting on the Graf Zeppelin’s flight, the “Daily Chronicle” expresses the opinion that the Atlantic crossing is not ideal: for airships, and that the route, on the other hand, is peculiarly adapted to a combination of steamor and aeroplane. Ideal airship routes are to India and Australia, where greater distances and the indirectness of sea voyages would enhance airship supremacy. • The Empire has more to gain thereby than any other unit, and ought already to have tack-' led the job. V Major Turner, the aviation expert of the “Daily Telegraph,” in a message from Berlin expresses admiration at the efficiency and discipline in the delicate operation of starting out. The whole thing called for nerve and skill. The Graf Zeppelin fitted the hangar almost like a glove, with a few inches between the envelope and the roof.