SLOW PROGRESS

Southland Times, Issue 20616, 15 October 1928, Page 5

SLOW PROGRESS

ATLANTIC FLIGHT ADVERSE CLIMATIC CONDITIONS STRONG WESTERLY WIND (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) London, October 12. A message from Ponta del Gada states that the Graf Zeppelin passed over Madeira at 1.30 p.m. Greenwich time. It sent a wireless message that it would pass the Azores to-night. The passengers are exceedingly air-sick. The Zeppelin’s timetable after Bale reads: Belfort 9.45, Bron (near Lyons) 12.25, Mt Ontelimar 3.45, Saintes Del Amer 3.30, Barcelona 6.50. Thereafter the messages are confused, but it is recalled that Dr Eckener, before the start was made, expressly warned the public against anxiety if there was no news. There is some surprise that the 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 he seemed full of confidence, and said that he would go at all costs. The Zeppelin’s position at 7 o'clock was west of the Azores. The strong westerly wind is increasing with some rain. The Zeppelin appears to be making slower progress than expected. If the times are correct she took five hours to do 150 miles from Barcelona to Castellon de la Planta, then only five hours to go 410 miles from the latter to Gibraltar, where she passed at 5 o’clock this morning. She had previously wirelessed that she hoped to pass the Azores at two this morning. A message from Friedrickshafen states that adverse weather is hampering the Zeppelin, and it probably will be 100 hours before she will reach Lake Hurst compared with 75 of ZR3, whose course was 2000 kilometres shorter. Nothing has been received direct from the Zeppelin since last night, but her wireless was heard code-talk-ing with steamers since 7 o’clock this morning.—Australian Press Association. WOMAN PASSENGER’S NARRATIVE. FEELING SAFE AND SECURE. DR. ECKENER’S WIFE WORRIED. (Rec. 7.45 p.m.) London, October 13. The inhabitants of Funchel (Spain) had a wonderful view of the Zeppelin this afternoon. It descended within 600 feet and dropped mails. It appears in splendid trim. The only direct message received after its disappearance over the Atlantic was picked up at Funchel: "All well; passengers exceedingly air-sick.” Frau Eckener confessed that she was considerably worried because during the flight she had received no personal word from Dr Eckener. "I sincerely wish the flight was over,” she said. Lady Drummond Hay sent by wireless a cheerv account of the flight. She states: "There is a wonderful feeling of security and safety riding through the clouds. No word of fear is to be heard in the lounge where the passengers gather. I spent two hours on the bridge at Dr Eckener’s invitation to watch the glorious sunset and gorgeous colouring of the mountains. As we flew over Spain we could see thousands of twinkling lights of towns and cities of the Spanish coast. It is now night. We have left behind us the twinkling lights of Spain. Men are playing cards in the lounge. I’m preparing for bed. Below the ceaseless roll of the ocean.” How far the airship, at the mercy of every unfavourable turn of the weather, is likelv to be reliable on the trans-Atlantic flight is not raised in Germany. The whole nation is intensely excited. Its viewpoint appears to be that arrival in America will be sufficient success. The newspapers are angry at the rejiort of French naval authorities at Toulouse that “an airship of unknown nationality passed over Toulouse.” The De’utchetage.s Zeitung says: “For the purpose of furthering Franco-German relations we have telegraphed the naval authorities informing them that it was the Graf Zeppelin, adding that it was not its intention to bombard Toulouse, but that it was merely en route on a friendly mission with mails and passengers for the United States.”—British Official Wireless. PORT HORIZONTAL DAMAGED. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 13. At 6.30 this morning the Graf Zeppelin sent a message that the port horizontal was damaged and requested that a surface ship be sent to follow its course. Warships were ordered to be ready if needed. At nine o’clock it was reported that limited repairs had been effected. It was then 950 miles from Bermuda, indicating fail progress. Advices at 12.31 reported no trouble.-Australian Press Association— United Service. SCANTY DETAILS AVAILABLE. LONG DETOUR LIKELY. NO CAUSE FOR APPREHENSION. (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) London, October 13. News of the Graf Zeppelin's progress is scanty and most disappointing. It is in nowise as full and interesting as that of Kingsford Smith’s Pacific epic and leaves Europe considerably in the dark as to hap-« penings aboard. Since Thursday afternoon long wave wireless contact between the airship and Germany has been sparse and unsatisfactory. The feeling Is already growing that the elaborate equipment of the Zeppelin is hardly up to expectations. Furthermore the few spasmodic direct communications from Dr. Eckener are coded for the purpose of secrecy because it was revealed to-night that a German newspaper syndicate had purchased exclusive rights of the narrative. There are indications that the airship is hearing considerably better than it Is heard. It is interesting to note that the Lokalnzeiger claims that following several hours silence the Zeppelin has re-established connection with the big German stations at Norddeich and Kiel by means of a novel secret hitherto untested—a radio short wave of 40 metres. The contents of the messages remain secret. Nevertheless information from Azores inspires complete confidence in success. It is anticipated that the long detour via Madiera will be further lengthened by maintenance to a southerly course via Bermuda to avoid the known storm centres northward and will delay arrival in America until Monday. Dr. Eckener wirelessed the United States Navy Department asking for forecasts in the region between Azores and Bermuda. Experts imply therefrom that the Zeppelin will reach America either in Texas or Virginia. The whole trip is expected to occupy 100 hours. Y’esterday it had covered 1,240 miles at an average speed of 60 miles an hour, thus accomplishing onefifth of the journey against ZR3’s fourth in the same flving time. In any case there are no grounds for apprehension as the ship has sufficient fuel to go half-way round the world. —Australian Press Association. THE WEATHER IMPROVES. MAKING UP FOR LOST TIME. (Rec. 12.5 a.m.) New York, October 13. The Zeppelin is now proceeding to Lake Hurst in good weather and at an increased speed. It has still to pass through the unsettled area, but it is believed it will arrive before doqd since it has been making up for the time lost in the rain squalls, and while the disabled fin was l>eing repaired and will presently be making 71 miles an hour. <

nappers. —United Service.. Bermuda reported that the dirigible had passed there at 11, Dr. Eckener following a twisted course for Cape Hatteras in an attempt to dodge scattered bad weather. Three cruisers and 18 destroyers continue ready to aid in case they are needed, which is most doubtful. Radio apparatus has been installed at Lake Hurst to receive the broadcast from the airplane and relay an account of the arrival to the United States and Europe. The Zeppelin’s radio equipment has been worked perfectly all day by the Radio Corportation of America, transmitting and receiving over 100 personal messages.—Australian Press Association. SIGHTED OVER BERMUDA. (Rec. 11.5) Hamilton (Bermuda) Oct. 13. The Zeppelin passed over Bermuda at 7.35 to-night, dropping red and green signals. It was sighted at the dockyard and may possibly reach Lake Hurst at 8.30 tomorrow morning.—Australian Press Association —United Service. HEADING FOR NEW JERSEY. WARSHIPS STANDING BY. Washington, October 13. The Graf Zeppelin has reported that its horizontal fin was damaged and that the fabric near the tail was dropping. The dirigible at present is proceeding towards Lake Hurst (New Jersey) at a reduced speed. The Radio Corporation of America has reported that everything is well on board, but the Navy Department has directed cruisers and destroyers to stand by in earn they are needed. The airship is expected to reach its destination to-morrow afternoon although unfavourable weather conditions may delay its arrival still further. Speculation is developing regarding the fuel remaining on the Zeppelin, but experts consider that the reported damage is not serivus.—Australian Press .Association.