Where is Zeppelin?

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 485, 15 October 1928, Page 1

Where is Zeppelin?

EUROPE WITHOUT NEWS LONG WIRELESS SILENCE (United P.i. —By Telegraph Copyright) and N.Z. Press Association) Reed. 12.45 p.m. LONDON, Sunday. Europe is entirely without news of the Graf Zeppelin. A message from Friedrichshafen says that Dr. Duerr, one of the builders of the airship, declares that he does not understand the silence. He points out that the ship carried two wireless installations. Her silence therefore can only be explained by atmospheric disturbances. A message from New York says the Zeppelin at 6.30 a.m. on Saturday, then 1,100 miles east of Bermuda, sent a wireless message saying her port horizontal fin was damaged and the fabric near the tail was dropping. She requested that a surface ship be sent to follow her course. Warships were ordered to be ready if needed. The airship reported at 9 a.m. that limited repairs had beet) effected. She was then 950 miles from Bermuda, indicating fair progress. Advice at 12.30 p.m. and 1 p.m. reported no trouble. The dirigible was reported yesterday to be proceeding toward Lakehurst. New Jersey, at reduced speed. The Radio Corporation of America reported that everything was well on board and the LZI27 was expected to reach Lakehurst on Sunday afternoon, if the unfavourable weather conditions did not delay her arrival still further. Speculation developed as to the quantity of fuel remaining on the Zeppelin, but experts considered that the reported damage was not serious. PASSED OVER BERMUDA The Zeppelin passed over Bermuda at 7.35 p.m. on Saturday. She dropped red and green signals. A later message on Saturday said: “The Zeppelin is now proceeding to Lakehurst in good weather at an increased speed. She has still to pass through an unsettled area, but it is believed she will arrive before noon as she is making up for the time lost in rain and squalls and while her disabled fin was being repaired. At present she is making 71 miles an hour. When the dirigible passed Bermuda Dr. Eckener was following a twisted course for Cape Hatteras in an attempt to avoid scattered bad weather. Three cruisers and 18 destroyers are ready to aid the airship in case they are needed. A radio apparatus has been installed at Lakehurst to receive the broadcast from the airplane which is to meet the dirigible and relay an account of her arrival to the United States and Europe.