Detached

Repairs to the Shenandoah are due to be completed May 1. Secretary Denby gave orders for the advance guard to proceed to Alaskan waters and for the reconstruction of the fuel-oil-ship Patoka.

A new commander was appointed--Lieutenant Commander Zachary Landsdowne. He was the official observer for the Navy on the British airship R-34, which crossed the Atlantic. He was later assigned to duty at the Zeppelin plant in Germany where the ZR3 is now being constructed for the U. S. No other officer in naval aviation has had the experience he has in handling rigid airships.

The change in command is due to: 1) a desire to have a commander experienced in navigating lighter-than-air ships; 2) a desire to have peace among officers and crew.

To McCrary, present commander, Rear Admiral William A. Moffet gave the following orders: "Upon being relieved by Lieutenant Commander Zachary Lansdowne as commanding officer of the U. S. S. Shenandoah, you will regard yourself detached from all duties aboard that airship."

Captain Anton Heinen, the German expert, remains with the Shenandoah, Rumors of bad feeling in and about the Shenandoah began when Captain Heinen fell out with Commander McCrary.