THE LAUNCH OF GREAT BRITAIN’S MYSTERIOUS AIRSHIP A GREAT SUCCESS.

Wanganui Herald, Volume XXXXVI, Issue 13423, 10 July 1911, Page 8

THE LAUNCH OF GREAT BRITAIN’S MYSTERIOUS AIRSHIP A GREAT SUCCESS.

The special correspondent of the London Daily Telegraph thus describes the launching of Britain's naval airship, whose construction aud design lias been strictly secret, and wlio.se launch has boon long aud anxiously waited for: “In perfectly ideal weather, with scarcely a breath of wind to disturb Hie placid surface of the water, the naval airship w,i« lowed out of the shod she has so long O'-cupied about 4 o'clock in the morning. There was

AN FCTER ABSENCE OF EXCITEAIFN'I', and tlio whole of the proceedings might have been practised for mouths, so snie.-Ce.-sfully were they earned out. Throughout a whole day the snecial staff of sailors and marines from the tender, his Majesty's ship Tlennnino, had been hard at work clearing the staging and making everything in readiness. It was not until H 'o'clock at night that Captain Sucter divided to postpone the launch owing to the slilf breeze which was blowing. The huge crowds were vastly disappointed. Still tne staff worked until late, and tin* (iivd. ordeni given out were to the effect.■‘that the men should be called at Mbo a.ni. “So favourably did the weather shape daring the night: that the men were sum- _ maned nt 1.43 a.m., and shortly after 2 ' o'clock they march.cd back to the shed, carrying their shoes under (heir arms. From this time until shortly before 4 o'eloeic the men were busy inside. Boat parties took up their stations in the dock, and the long rope was brought from the mooring to the shed. Just on 4 o'clockout came a boat manned by marines, and they fixed a rope to the. buoy, which is placed in a centre line to the shed. This rope was paid out until tho other end was given to the crew on the dirigible. Then tiie bugle sounded, and men were soon running about at the entrance.' The gates had been opened, the “call’' was repeated, and at six minutes past 4 the order was given ' to heave on tho rope. AMi MV MS WE UK NOW FOCUSSED ON THE II UO M AI KSTHIV f and she was seen to be moving. At ten minutes past 4 the stern of the vessel was just outside the entrance, and ten minutes afterwards the entire fabric had emerged. The handling by the staff was magnificent. Not a foot did the craft deviate from the centre line. It, was a, perfect example of drill organisation, and I have, in fact, seen a steamer entering a dock cause considerably more trouble and excitement. It was onr first view of the vessel of which so much has been said and written. j’eiTcctly rigid, a silver-grey in colour, she presented a noble sight. So well had the i ramework been covered that it looked ns if it had been .stretched on the iranie. One got a glimpse of the intricate machinery in the ” gondolas, Everything seems to have been ARRANGED BJT A MASTER MIND, and simplicity and lightness, combined with strength, appear to have been the main consideration. “No sooner was the vessel clear at her bow than the men on the rafts commenced to turn her nose outwards. Silently she glided out, the rope which was connected with the moorings in the centre dock was made fast, and gradually the airship headed for the. middle. It was then, with the golden sunlight striking her sides, that one realised her size. There was no swaying movement about the bag itself—the vessel just moved steadily towards her moorings, majestically and quietly. Then came a fussy pinnace, which made fast and when half-way across one heard the order to start the forward engine. Shortly alter this was done the two propellers were connected up and began to revolve rapidly- One could notice the effect almost immediately, for she began to , make greater headway. Tho machinery,, .however. was soon stopped, and she was eventually anchored behind the screen,.where in coming days she is to stand the test of wind-pressure, and to demonstrate one of her main features, that is. to lie in safety throughout it all. ‘ln addition to these wind tests, there will be trials of engines and in trimming the vessel. During the afternoon the breeze freshened, but the airship, with her forward propellers working, rose easily at her moorings. It is not known when hoitrials will commence, but they will probably take place in Morecambc Bay.