A PROMISING START.

Wairarapa Age, 9 August 1929, Page 5

A PROMISING START.

GRAF ZEPPELIN DEPARTS ON WORLD TRIP. FIRST ATTEMPT OF ITS KIND BY AN AIRSHIP. STOWAWAY SENT TO GAOL. United Press Association —By Electric Telegraph.—Copyright. (Received Thursday, 7.30 p.m.) NEW YORK, August 7. The Graf Zeppelin is ready to begin its round-the-world trip from Lakehurst at midnight to-night. Favourable weather is assured, at least until the ship is well off the American coast. A great crowd is gathering to witness the departure. There are 22 passengers, including Sir George Wilkins and Lady Drummond Hay, who will be the only woman on the round flight. The principal effect of the round the world flight, if successful, is expected to be an assurance to the public which will permit of a regular trans-Atlantic dirigible service being established in 1931. Captain Eekener will fly over London for the first time on this trip. The commander stated: “I ainconfident of success. If we have a mishap anywhere on the world trip and simply must land, I hope to have the assistance of the people into whose country we descend. ’ ’

The Graf Zeppelin left the Lakeburst ground safely and departed at 11.42 p.m., Eastern standard time, with the weather favourable and before a great and enthusiastic crowd of all classes. Many of the most fashionable members of New York society were present.

An eighteen-year-old youth was captured while attempting to board the ship, from the beams overhead in the hangar, when a member of the crew saw the red sweater he wore. The German officers were much offended and angry, after the similar episode on the. crossing from Friedrichshafen, and the boy was taken to gaol for punishment by Marines. The officials were otherwise in good humour at the successful take-off, and the passengers waved gaily from the gondola windows as the engines discharged water ballast to “weigh” the ship as it moved slowly out of the hangar. She then soon rose evenly into the air.—(Australian Press Association.)