MILITARY AIRSHIP

New Zealand Times, Volume L, Issue 11648, 12 October 1923, Page 6

MILITARY AIRSHIP

MOST TERRIBLE WEAPON

DIRIGIBLE ZRI CHRISTENED IN UNITED STATES. LONG-DISTANCE CRUISE. By Telegraph.—Press Assn.—Copyright Australian and N,Z. Gabla Association. (Received October 11, 10.10 p.m.) NJdW YORK, October 10. At Uakehiirst, in New Jersey, Air iulwin Denby, Secretary for the Navy, in christening the dirigi'bl© ZRI, said: '‘Any enemy of the United States that invites a trial of power with this country will have its hands full. We expect to eoual and surely hope to surpass all others in military aviation. This vessel represents the latest and perhaps the most teirible weapon of offence, hut I pray that it may never bo used to attack an enemy, or in defence of this country.” HELIUM GAS USED. The vessfejl cost 1,500,000 dollars, took nearly two years to build, and was made by American workmen under the direction of a German technician. Its dimensions are 680 by 78 feet, its cruising range 5000 miles, and its maximum speed 50 knots. It has sax engines of 300 horse-power each. The outstanding feature of the test was the perfect, adaptability of helium for dirigiilble purposes, making the vessel proof against conflagration from explosion. Experts consider the ZRI is admirably suited for military purposes, and that the vessel is the first important step in the development of what is practically a new aerial instrument for military purposes. They contrast its safety features with those of the ill-fated 3&3S and the Roma. On its trials, the ZRI maintained a speed of 40 knots, and a height ranging from 2000 to 6000 feet throughout a 12-hour cruise. Recently it went from New York to Washington and Chicago, and was expected to go to Panama, and return via Cuba. FAST MAIL SERVICE. Admiral Moffett, Chief of the Navy Bureau of Aeronautics, is so convinced of the oomimercial practicability of the ZR.I that he announced that an airship along with the sister dirigible ZR3 is now being built in Germany for the United States, and will be put on the mail service between New York and London. He believes that it will be able to maintain a two-day schedule.