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National Geographic : 1925 Jan
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THE NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE Photograph by Pacific and Atlantic SALUTING TIHE UNITED STATES CAPITOL On its memorable first visit to Washington, D. C., the Shenandoah flew over the Capitol. dropped flowers on the grave of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington, then proceeded to Mount Vernon to salute the tomb of Washington. Since that time, this airship has become America's best-known vehicle, for hundreds of thousands of spectators have watched its silvery form as it cruised back and forth across the continent. with hands and eyes on the network of handles which empty ballast bags, and Chief Petty Officer L. E. Allenly was at the wheel of the "elevators," or horizontal rudders. "We must weigh off right away, before we start to lose our superheat," Captain Lansdowne announces. "Can tell from the mast that we're heavy aft, sir," Allenly reports. "What water can we drop?" Lans downe demands. "We have three emergency bags aft and two forward," Lieutenant Houghton replies. "You can drop any in the afterpart, sir," says Lieutenant Roland G. Mayer, keel officer. "What's at frame 40?" Lansdowne asks. "Four hundred pounds extra at 40, sir," Mayer replies. "Clear away aft," Lansdowne orders through his little megaphone. "Are we light ?" asks Lieutenant Law rence. Nobody answers. "Still putting oil aboard, sir," comes a voice from the mast. "Idle engines," Lansdowne orders in a sort of resigned voice. The few extra pounds of fuel must be crowded aboard. "Idle engines, sir," echoes Lieutenant E. W. Sheppard, the engineer officer, holding the signal levers. The dials are the same as on the bridge of a ship, but there is a lever for each en gine in the five separate gondolas. Shep pard swings two handfuls of levers with one motion. The bells ring and repeat as the levers fly back and the men in the gondolas acknowledge the signal. "Ship at least 300 pounds light," says the mast. "Last fuel coming aboard, sir." "Very well; shut off fuel," Lansdowne
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