◆ SpookStack

BA dub, a Bie hd ke. im As to the oolor of the flame that he notioed prior to the Sxplosicn and along therewith, he stated that it appeared to be bright yellow in color and that this tint was miintained until the settling of the ship, at which time it took on a more reddish hue. According to Lt. May, the first outburst that he noticed was of a mild nature and it ap- peared that the framework parted and came out in sections, and that this was followed immediately by a detonation. He stated that he observed no radio antenna trailing from the ship, and he does recall that the trail ropes hed been thrown prior to the explosion and that the coils upon reaching the ground had emitted dust, indicating that they were quite dry. He also informed that at no time did he observe any after lines being dropped. _ At this tine, there 1 was introduced into evidence a a diagram — of the first outburst noted by him. Lt. May states that et no time did he notice a glow or flame on board the Hindenburg prior to the outburst and that in connection with the noting of the structural outburst, he heard a sound that seemed to be the cracking of metal and also that he is of the opinion that the structure was virtually shot out at the area of the outburst, and that flames seemed to follow this eruption of structure. He stated that the muffled detonaticn thet followed seemed to be unconfined in nature and that immediately there- after a flame shot out of the side of the superstructure, and this was followed by a flame that flared from the top of the shipe This flame at the top of the ship was dartlike in appearance and extended from the ship some thirty feet into the air and was accompanied by other fingers of flame, 6 or 8” in width, all being 20 to 30 feet long. He states that his position at the time was one that was below the ship and also below the area of the explosion. Upon being questioned further concerning the sound of the outburst, he stated that it seemed to be hollow and of a metallic nature, and was similar to the cracking of timbers. He also testified that it was his recollection that all of the motors on the Hindenburg were _ functioning in reverse at the time. He also recalls that the exhaust of the aft port engines gave off some discharges, but he cannot relate as to the exact time relative to the explosion that this discharge was noticed by him. He stated that it has been his observation that the Germans have