THE R101 TRAGEDY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 17409, 6 November 1930, Page 11

THE RlOl TRAGEDY

AIE MARSHAL'S EVIDENCE I.OKD THOMSON’S ATTITUDE (British Official Wireless.) lice. 3 p.m. RUGBY, Nov. 5. At the RlOl inquiry, Air Marshal Sir John Higgins mentioned an occasion when the airship was at the mast at Oardiugton and rode- out a gale when tlm wind reached a speed of 85 miles an hour. Ho said that during July a question arose as to whether Iho RIO.L should stand by and possibly lake the place ol the .RICO on tiie Canadian flight. Lord Thomson then said that whatever happened. -even to the extent of tho-aban-donment of llu- Canadian flight, the IUOI was to he ready for the flight to India by (lie last work in September, as ho had made all his arrangements accordingly. As to her trial flight on October 1 and 2 Sir John Higgins said both Major Scott and Wing Commander Colmove had told him that the flight was very satisfactory.

Sir John Higgins recalled writing a minute last- year in reply to Lord Thomson, who was annoyed because the airship was put in the shed owing lo- a warning of a severe gale. In this minute lie pointed out that the alternative might have been a flight to avoid the gale, which. Colonel Richmond thought an unjustifiable risk as no endurance flight had then been carried out. Lord Thomson, in later minutes, said :

“I consider that the right policy is to go on steadily with a progressive experiment, enabling the achievement- of our extensive programme. Ido not ant.ieipato further difficulties from the weather if a slow but sure policy is followed out.”

Flight Lieutenant Moore, who assisted in the investigations, gave evidence thatan official who was familiar with judging altitudes declared that the airship passed over before tint crash at a height of 330 ft.