Show IU U. U S. S S. S Akron Largest Dirigible in World Takes Air on Maiden Flight 8 By Press AKRON 0 O. Sept 23 23 The The worlds world's lar largest est dirigible the U. U S. S S S. Akron made her maiden flight today Her silver hulk gle gleaming ming In the sun the new navy ship was walked out of her hangar with precision headed into the slight southwest breeze and was cut loose from her portable mooring moor moor- mooring ing mast at p. p m. m eastern astern standrd stand stand- lard arci rd time It was taken out stern first about yards arcU into the field and turned perpendicularly to the length lenth of the dock By p. p m. m the gang plank was lifted Weigh off tests test were made when L Lie Lieutenant I e U ute t e n a ant n t Commander I Charles E. E Rosendahl gave the order up ship As the crowds on the hillside saw the giant silvery hulk float away from the mooring mast masl they cheered wildly and blared their automobile I hor It was a splendid sight to view the great foot gas bag float placidly In the air It appeared perfectly level There was no sway At about feet her engines were turned on and she veered off off to to the southwest The Thc launching was made as IlS a free balloon with the engines Idle Ideal weather conditions prevailed prevailed prevailed pre pre- after several days of waiting The ship by Lieutenant Commander Rosendahl was headed on a a. two or three-hour three flight t over overa a triangular course The route however was not announced announced announced an an- in advance As It arose about feet two motors on either side of the stern were cut In At about feet two more were started At that point the sun broke through a rift rill in the thin grey clouds and made the ship glisten brilliantly The dirigible headed westward and 1 then swung swims northward toward Akron |