Blown Across The Line.

New York Times 100 years ago today, April 4, 1913:
Berlin Says Z4 Was Not Under Control — Officers Released.
By Marconi Transatlantic Wireless Telegraph to The New York Times.
    BERLIN, April 3.— The Z4 left Friedrichshafen early this morning on a comparatively short official trial trip to Oos, near Baden-Baden. It was buffeted about all day by the wind and enveloped in fog. Eventually, according to the accounts given here, it lost its way, the steering gear got out of order, and it was blown helplessly across the French frontier, near Saarburg, in Lorraine, and was compelled to make an emergency descent 15 or 20 miles within French territory. The commander of the vessel made haste to explain the cause of his presence.
    Technically the Z4 is not a military craft, but is still the property of the Zeppelin dockyard. As the trip was being made for the benefit of the three army officers aboard for the purpose of deciding whether the vessel was acceptable, the commander may call himself merely an employe of the Zeppelin company.
    The German officers at once placed themselves at the disposal of their captors. They and the airship were thoroughly examined for traces of incriminating material, but none appears to have been discovered. Thereupon the officers were informed that they were at liberty.
    Although the Z4 came to grief early in the afternoon the news of the accident was effectually suppressed in Berlin until late in the evening. When it did get abroad it created a profound impression. At hotels, restaurants, and clubs military men said that by far the gravest feature of the incident is the opportunity it has given to the French authorities to acquaint themselves at leisure with the innermost secrets of the very latest German airship.