RITAIN has-been plunged into mourning by the news of the terrible disaster to the R-102 which exploded and burst into flames over North France.
Messages of condolence have been received: from all over the world, It is now ascertained that the airship struck a hill near Beauvais after battling with the storm, and although there is me doubt regarding the exact number of people on board 47 bodies have been discovered and three are believed to be mi The public enquiry the disaster isto be held in England with the ce-operation of the French authorities, but no definite reason has yet been assigned for the calamity.
Immediately the. Hews was received in London experts flew over to examine the London, Oct. 5.
England this morning is stunned by the entastrophe of the R-101, involving as it does not only the Joss "of the largest airship in the world but also of the Air Minister, Lord Thomson, the 'Director Givil Aviation, 'Sir Sefton Brancker, and her most' famous airship exerts, The latter include Wing-Commander Colmore, who responsible for all British Major G. Lil. Scott, wro the airship R-34 when} it made a fight from England to the United States and back in 1919: and Colonel V. C, Richmond, ho! Aesigned the lost airship. All three of these brilliant officers were on: oard the R-100 when she made a trip to Canada and back mer, Flight-Lieutenant Avy who was Captain of the i ated' vessel, commanded R-33 and R-36 in 1920, He is an Trishmai Squadron-Leader Ernest 1. John-'Aten, the Navigator, was navigator to the Secretary of State for Air when the larier made the Imperial Airways flight to Indi back in 1927, The meteorologist, Mr. 'M.A, Giblett, was a member of the Airship Mission to South Afvica, Australia, New Zealand and India in 1927: "he organized the metero-Jogical services for airship fights to Canada and on the Egypt and India route, The R-101 recently had an extra section, embodied in her hull me her gas capacity by about million cubic feet and make She had most spacious passenger accom: modation of any airship yet built, Boeated in two decks and consisting of a large saloon lounge with a waited promenade at either end and separate dining -room seating 50 people, novel feature on the airship was a fire-proof smoking-room, The cabins were roomy while the kit-hen was equipped with electric fittings. The whole colour scheme the passenger accommodation was caryled out in white and gold, with blue curtains, Re1O1. was the first airship to be equipped with engines burning Reavy oil-fuel, this being. one of the main features of the official policy first." ow consisted of five and friends of those who have per Fished in the. service of their countuy and also with the injured survivors."—Reuter.
London, Oct. 6., It is understood that: h+ bodies of the victims of the R-101 disaster ave being brought tack to Brita' in a warship as s001 9s possible.
The bodies are now lying in a chappell ardent in the village of Allonne and it is hoped to identify at least some of them to-day.
The all tanks of the ted airship were still burning at nine o'clock yesterday evening casting a ier glow over the wreckage. Rain was pouring down and a scene reminiscent of the War was enacted as mounted troops, lit up by the grim blaze, slithered inthe mud' around the wreck to the accompaniment of the drone of lorries bringing material for relief work.
It is worthy of note, in this connection, that the authorities are basing their searches for victims on the very positive statements of the survivors that there were 58 persons aboard the R-101 when she left Cardington.
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.