July 3rd, Morning. Over halfway to Newfoundland. Beyond wireless range. Southeasterly wind picking up.
Midday. Lunch of cold roast beef and only one cold potato for each crew member. General Maitland lamented, “We are short of potatoes, having eaten too many yesterday!” However, there are plenty of provisions still onboard: bread, butter, cheese, chocolate, and tea. And thank God for the tea!
One of the assessments the General had to make was that of the airship’s potential for future long-distance flights and to suggest improvements. Food is an important relief to the monotony of a long flight, especially when all there is to see are clouds. Future airships will definitely need cooking facilities.
Afternoon. The southeasterly wind has grown stronger. The sea has become very rough. Heavy rain is falling.
Evening. The thick fog is making life on the airship unpleasantly cold. There is an air of anxiety amongst the crew. To make matters worse, fierce squalls are causing the ship to pitch up and down. A log entry reads:
The rain is driving through the roof of the fore car in many places, and there is a thin film of water over the chart table. The wind is roaring to such an extent that we have to shout to make ourselves heard. Time for evening meal, but no one gives it a thought while this entertainment is going on.
What a miserable night for the crew of the R-34; but the ship motors on, heading for America.
More to come! Stay tuned!
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So this first journey was quite rough. I understand later journeys were quite pleasant instead… or was there always a risk for a rough flight?
There was always the risk for a rough flight. What improved significantly was the ability to forecast the weather and that allowed the airships to either fly around the storm or avoid the most severe parts.