ANXIETY FELT

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 7

ANXIETY FELT

GERMAN AIRSHIP LACK OF DEFINITE NEWS WHEREABOUTS UNCERTAIN MESSAGES VARY GREATLY (United Press Assn.—By Telegraph—Copyright.) (Rec. 5.5 p.m.) New York, October 14. A message from Lake Hurst states that officials there are puzzled by a message from the Zeppelin which at first reported meeting most severe weather north-east of Bermuda. Then it was stated that ail was well and the fuel supply good, but the course was shifted to seek better wind and currents. The messages through the day have varied greatly and have been indefinite concerning the position. Naval officers are worried and have ordered all vessels which could be used if needed to be held in port. They believe that the only answer to the varying position of the dirigible will be that it turned tail before the storm and is now returning over a different course. It is now believed that it will not arrive before eight a.m. to-morrow. Lake Hurst is annoyed by the reticence of the dirigible in not giving a more accurate position as calculations for reception and aid are greatly hampered, but the owners seem to wish to hold to a contract with pome news agency. The situation is becoming delicate. One high naval officer • stated unofficially that he would be in favour of “letting them land in the best way they can.” No great fears are yet -felt for the passengers and crew beyond a shortage of fuel and food. However, Lake Hurst and Washington are endeavouring to discover where the dirigible may be, but have been unable to do so up to the present.—Australian Press Association. EUROPE WITHOUT NEWS. ■ e 4 PROBABLE EXPLANATION. London, October 14. Europe has received absolutely no news of the Graf Zeppelin beyond the information* from America. A message from Friedrichshafen states w that Dr. Duerr, one of the builders, declares that he does not understand the silence and states that there are two wireless installations. The silence is therefore only explainable as the result of atmospheric disturbances.—Australian Press Association. MESSAGES FROM DIRIGIBLE. PASSENGERS DISHEARTENED. (Rec. 7.10 p.m.) Washington, October 14. The Navy Department ordered three destroyers at Charleston, North Carolina, to be prepared to sail within an hour to the assistance of the Graf Zeppelin in case assistance is requested. News from Lake Hurst states that in the first direct communication to the naval air station the Zeppelin wirelessed at 5.15 p.m. Eastern Standard time, on Sunday when it was ten miles south-west of Bermuda and on a course for Lake Hurst: “Will probably not arrive before the afternoon of Monday. Running south-west to reach more favourable winds. This is desirable in view of a necessary reduction in air speed. All are well aboard and we have sufficient fuel.”' The latest messages from the Zeppelin indicate that it continued throughout the afternoon in the face of head winds near Bermuda. It is now apparently running south-west for an unknown point. Lake Hurst has received advice that it may rarive before to-morrow afternoon, but other messages, apparently from the dirigible, indicated that it was heading for Charleston navy yard. One message stated that the passengers were disheartened and worried about when they will land, Lady Drummond Hay continuously. attempting to encourage them. Naval officials continue surprised by’ the refusal of the Zeppelin to divulge its exact position, but state that more definite reports would undoubtedly be sent if any danger were threatening.—Australian Press Association—United States. NORTH.-WEST OF BERMUDA. (Rec. 10.35 p.m.) New York, October 15. News from Savanah (Georgia) states that at 11.45 p.m. on Sunday the Graf Zeppelin was 150 miles north-west of Bermuda, heading north-west.—Australian Press Association.