s was practically nil owing
to the extreme force of the wind, the station was reached in safety and
the ship landed without any contretemps. This trial run having been
accomplished in weather such as would never have been chosen in the
earlier days of rigid trial flights, those connected with the airship
felt that their confidence in the vessel's capabilities was by no means
exaggerated.

The lift of the ship warranted a greater supply of petrol being carried
than there was accommodation for, and the engines by now had been
"tuned up" to a high standard of efficiency. Accordingly it was
considered that the ship possessed the necessary qualifications for a
transatlantic flight. It was, moreover, the opinion of the leading
officers of the airship service that such an enterprise would be of
inestimable value to the airship itself, as demonstrating its utility
in the future for commercial purposes.

Efforts were made to obtain permission for the flight to be attempted,
and although at first the naval authorities were disinclined to risk
such a valuable ship on what appeared to be an adventure of doubtful
outcome, eventually all opposition was overcome and it was agreed that
for the purposes of this voyage the ship was to be taken over by the
Air Ministry from the Admiralty.

Work was started immediately to fit out the ship for a journey of this
description. Extra petrol tanks were disposed in the hull structure to
enable a greater supply of fuel to be carried, a new and improved type
of outer cover was fitted, and by May 29th, R 34 was completed to the
satisfaction of the Admiralty and was accepted. On the evening of the
same day she left for her station, East Fortune, on the Firth of Forth.
This short passage from the Clyde to the Forth was not devoid of
incident, as soon after leaving the ground a low-lying fog enveloped
the whole country and it was found impossible to land with any degree
of safety. It having been resolved not to land until the fog lifted,
the airship cruised about the north-east coast of England and even came
as far south as York. Returning to Scotland, she found the fog had
cleared, and was landed safely, having been in the air for 21 hours.

The original intention was that the Atlantic flight should be made at
the beginning of June, but the apparent unwillingness of the Germans to
sign the Peace Treaty caused the Admiralty to retain the ship for a
time and commission her on a war footing. Dur