Shenandoah Case

The Court of Inquiry into the wrecking of the Shenandoah adjourned last week—probably for good. If the Judge Advocate of the Court decides to call Colonel Mitchell a second time,* the Court may reconvene. The final testimony was that of experts as to wind stresses, strength of the airship’s frame, etc.

With only a few exceptions the survivors of the disaster and the Government experts seemed agreed that the wreck of the ship was due to excessive wind stresses in the heart of a storm. The principal other theory advanced was that one or more of the gas cells of the ship had burst from internal pressure when the ship was forced up to great height.

Joseph E. Davies, counsel for Mrs. Lansdowne, widow of the Commander of the Shenandoah, having demanded of the Navy Department that either the Shenandoah Court be discharged or that he be allowed to appear in court for his client, was last week answered by Rear Admiral Edward H. Campbell, Judge Advocate General. Admiral Campbell pointed out that Mrs. Lansdowne was a witness not a defendant before the Court, and that neither in civil nor in military cases is a witness entitled to be represented by counsel. He added that if Mrs. Lansdowne or Mr. Davies had objections to the propriety of the Court’s procedure, a statement could be made to the Navy Department to be taken under consideration when the report of the Court was received. If the facts warranted such action, the Court would then be reconvened.

*Colonel Mitchell was called once before to testify before the Naval Court, but declined to do so because he was about to be tried by Army court martial.