At 5.57 a.m. (British summer time) R 34 set out on her return
voyage, steering for New York, to fly over the city before
heading out into the Atlantic. She was picked up by the
searchlights and was distinctly visible to an enormous concourse
of spectators. During the early part of the flight a strong
following wind was of great assistance, and for a short period an
air speed of 83 miles per hour was attained. On the morning of
July 11th the foremost of the two engines in the after car broke
down and was found to be beyond repair. The remainder of the
voyage was accomplished without further incident. On July 12th
at noon, a signal was sent telling R 34 to proceed to the airship
station at Pulham in Norfolk as the weather was unfavourable for
landing in Scotland. On the same day at 8.25 p.m., land was
first sighted and the coast line was crossed near Clifden, county
Galway, at 9 p.m. On the following morning, July 13th, at 7.57
a.m. (British summer time), the long voyage was completed and R
34 was safely housed in the shed, having been in the air 75 hours
3 minutes.
Thus a most remarkable undertaking was brought to a successful
conclusion. The weather experienced was by no means abnormally
good. This was not an opportunity waited for for weeks and then
hurriedly snatched, but on the preordained date the flight was
commenced.
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