ing this period she went
for an extended cruise over Denmark, along the north coast of Germany
and over the Baltic. This flight was accomplished in 56 hours, during
which extremely bad weather conditions were experienced at times. On
its conclusion captain and crew of the ship expressed their opinion
that the crossing of the Atlantic was with ordinary luck a moral
certainty. Peace having been signed, the ship was overhauled once more
and made ready for the flight, and the day selected some three weeks
before was July 2nd.

A selected party of air-service ratings, together with two officers,
were sent over to America to make all the necessary arrangements, and
the American authorities afforded every conceivable facility to render
the flight successful.

As there is no shed in America capable of housing a big rigid, there
was no alternative but to moor her out in the open, replenish supplies
of gas and fuel and make the return journey as quickly as possible.

On July 2nd, at 2.38 a.m. (British summer time), R 34 left the ground
at East Fortune, carrying a total number of 30 persons. The route
followed was a somewhat northerly one, the north coast of Ireland being
skirted and a more or less direct course was kept to Newfoundland.
From thence the south-east coast of Nova Scotia was followed and the
mainland was picked up near Cape Cod.

From Cape Cod the airship proceeded to Mineola, the landing place on
Long Island. All went well until Newfoundland was reached. Over this
island fog was encountered, and later electrical storms became a
disturbing element when over Nova Scotia and the Bay of Fundy. The
course had to be altered to avoid these storms, and owing to this the
petrol began to run short. No anxiety was occasioned until on
Saturday, July 5th, a wireless signal was sent at 3.59 p.m. asking for
assistance, and destroyers were dispatched immediately to the scene.
Later messages were received indicating that the position was very
acute, as head winds were being encountered and petrol was running
short. The airship, however, struggled on, and though at one time the
possibility of landing at Montauk, at the northern end of Long Island,
was considered, she managed after a night of considerable anxiety to
reach Mineola and land there in safety on July 6th at 9.55 a.m.
(British summer time). The total duration of the outward voyage was
108 hours 12 minutes, and during this time some 3,136 sea miles were
covered.