Burst Blimps

At the head of the air parade that floated in among the clouds over the White House on Inauguration Day was the dirigible Los Angeles and four blimps. When the parade was over the Los Angeles soared back through the murk and storm to Lakehurst, N.J. Of the four blimps, one belonging to the Army and two belonging to the Navy, were unable, on account of the weather, to return to their bases at Langley Field, Va., and Lakehurst.

In detestable weather they descended on Boiling Field at Washington, dropped their landing lines and prepared to spend the night. A bitter welcome they had. The wind rose and howled about their squamous sides. The landing lights upon the field were burned all night. Ground crews were turned from their warm bunks and 650 men kept standing on the icy field straining their arms to keep the blimps from tearing loose. The crews were kept in the baskets of the ships; the engines were kept running in case a forced departure should be necessary.

The wind rose to a 45 mile-an-hour gale. About midnight the envelope of one Navy blimp began to part. Hastily the rip cord was pulled and a bagful of helium was given to the hungry wind, which dragged the sagging ship 100 yds. and cast the basket damaged to the ground. Toward dawn the nose of the other Navy blimp began to pull away. Hastily another rip cord was pulled, another bagful of helium returned to the elements.

In the morning the damaged remnants of bags and baskets were salvaged but Navy officers mourned the loss of 360,000 cu. ft. (about $15,000 worth) of helium.