FATE OF MEN ABOARD AIRSHIP ITALIA’S HULL

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 20184, 28 June 1928, Page 7

FATE OF MEN ABOARD AIRSHIP ITALIA’S HULL

COLUMN OF SMOKE ARISES IN DIRECTION OF DIRIGIBLE’S DRIFT [ By Telegraph—Per Press Assn.—Copyright 1 [ Australian Press Assn.—United Service J Received Juno 27, 11.30 p.m. ROME, June 27. General Nobile’s detailed account throws light on the fate of the crew aboard the Italia’s hull. He says that after the disaster he watched the dirigible for six miles. Later he noticed a column of smoke rising in the direction of the airship’s drift, which General Nobile attributes to the firing of the airship’s petrol tanks or oil fallen from the airship. General Nobile adds that when the gondola hit the ice the impact was taken by the engine in the front car where Signor Pomella, chief engineer, was placed. Signor Pomella suffered concussion and later died. He was given an honourable burial. An Oslo message states that an American woman who hired the Hobby for the purpose of hunting in Greenland, has placed the vessel at the disposal of the Norwegian Government steamer going via the east coast of Spitzbergen in search of Captain Amundsen. A wireless message from the Quest expresses the opinion that it is impossible to save the remainder of General Nobile’s party, olso Lundborg, for three or four weeks, after which it is hoped that the ice will break up sufficiently for seaplanes to alight. The party is provisioned for a month, and other food can be dropped from aeroplanes. Hopes of finding Mariano and his companions arc fading daily, flights over places they could have reached having disclosed no trace. General Nobile urges that a search for the party carried off in the hull of the Italia be instituted within a triangle with its apex at the spot where the gondola party is now marooned, and covering a maximum distance to the base of the triangle of 30 miles. Three aeroplanes arc ready to carry out a search on these lines as soon as the weather is favourable. General Nobile states that MaJgrcn and his party had provisions for 40 days. They had instruments and maps but no tent or firearms.