◆ SpookStack

re peculiar circumstance, in connection with the flame which burst from the ship at warious times while it was settling to the ground efter the first appearance of fire and the later explosions, was one rather white hot flame, apparently -spurting from the upper portion of the ship, having a somewhat similar appearance to the flame from an acetylene torch. He was not aware as to the nature of this and has indicated he will make some research. it is possible this might have been escaping hydrogen which, when not mixed with air, readily burns with an intense flame and heat. He also indicated there was some indication that other officers may have seen a similarly deseribed flame in other portions of the ship. All this situation will be brought out undoubtedly in the hearings before the U. S,. Department of Commerce, Lieutenant Commander Knox also indicated there was some reference, although he could not verify same, to the effect that there might have been flames appearing in the rear portion of the ship as the Hindenburg came over the field, This has not been definitely established and probably will also be covered in the interview of various witnesses who observed the airship as it came in to land. Lieutenant Commander Knox indicated that the two ropes which are reeled out fram the bow of the ship to effect the attachment of the mooring cable to the mooring mast had been reeled out for possibly five minutes before the explosion occurred and were on the ground for this length of time, The ship was not much higher from the ground et this time than the height of the large hangar on the field, which would be approximately 200 feet, or less. The fire appeared at the rear of the ship above the fin. Lieutenant Commander Knox indicated that the landing ropes which were first cast out were very dry and this was apparent by reason of the fact that they threw out considerable dust when the large roll hit the ground. He advised that the ship came in from the West of the field and was tacking against the wind. There was some light rain at this time, although the rather heavy rain prior to that time had fairly well cleared up at the time of the attempted landing. Immediately after the fire appeared and the explosion thereafter, the tail of the ship hit the ground and apparently broke in two near the middle. Lieutenant Commander Knox indicated that the ship apparently left Frankfort on the Main, Germany, at 3:16 p. m. on Nenday, May 3, 1937 and if it had traveled on schedule, it would have landed at 6a. m. on May 6, 1937. The reports from the ship indicated that this would be the landing time, ti11 approximately ee ea Fe ee ae ep egy cee tre