AIRSHIP'S STORMY TRIP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 19924, 18 April 1928, Page 11

AIRSHIP'S STORMY TRIP.

SHAKEN BY SEVERE GALES.

CONFUSION AND DAMAGE.

CONDITIONS STEADILY WORSE.

WAY LOST IN DARKNESS.

Australian Press Association—United Service LONDON, April 16. The first stage of General Nobili's flight in the airship Italia on his great Arctic adventure was perhaps as thrilling as any he is likely to make in the Polar regions. Vhen he set out fiom Milan he was officially informed that tho weather was suitable. He had barely crossed the Alps when the airship disappeared in heavy clouds.

Freezing head-on gales then shook the Italia from stem to stern. As she ploughed her way through the darkness the conditions became steadily worse until she was above tho Western Carpathians. There thunderstorm succeeded thunderstorm. The severe electric tension disturbed the navigating instruments and the wireless. The airship then ran into heavy snowstorms. There was considerable confusion on board as to the dirigible's exact loca tion. While sho was battling through a fin broke off and her canvas was torn in several places. The right-hand motor developed trouble, reducing the speed to 30 miles an hour.

On their arrival at Seddin, Pomerania, tho crow of the airship had considerable difficulty in landing her owing to the broken fin. General Nobili surprised the bystanders by stepping <sut in a most gorgeous uniform of a general. He presented a striking -contrast to his travelstained and oil-begrimed companions. A message from Berlin says an examination showed that the damage done during the storm included the partial tearing off of the port stabiliser. It was found also that one motor had not worked for part of the flight. Tho passengers are now resting at a hotel.