◆ SpookStack

Wh a a Hemmerberg testified that in his estimation the fire broke out on the port side of the ship in the beginning, and that the flames were behind him; that he is of the opinion that he first saw the flame or the reflection of the flame, and subsequently heard the explosion or detonation, He stated that there were no lights burning on the ship, at least in the seotion in which he was located, at the time of the fire, and in clarification thereof stated that he was in the passenger dining salon observing the landing operations from the window in the dining salon, He stated that after the appearance of the flame he heard a dull detonation followed by several others. He stated that he could not see much of the superstructure in the aft part of the ship, nor could he see the port after mtors. He did not recell feel- ing any vibration immediately before the fire broke out or immediately after the fire broke cut, and neither can he estimate the lapse of time between the appearance of the fire or the reflection thereof, and the hearing of the detonation. He stated that he had been a room steward upon the Hinden<- burg since the time of her commissioning, and that he hed been with the German Zeppelin Transport Company since March 6, 1936 and that at no time has he assumed the position of anything but room steward dur- ing this time. He stated that after the appearance of fire and the de- tonetion he stayed at the window of the dining salon, and when the ship was approximately 50 feet above the ground he jumped out the window, and urnon alighting on the cround he aerambled to safety. He also informed that to the best of his knowledse he is of the opinion that the Hindenburg prior to the outbreak of fire was operating in « satisfactory manner, and that her crossing had been normel in every respect. At this time he recalled that the detonation heard by him subsequent to the appearance of fire was of sufficient force to throw him headlong to the floor, and further, that this detonation reminded him of the bark of a heavy artillery piece. He was first concerned about the safety of the ship and of his personal safety at the time he first saw the reflection of flame, In response to inquiry he stated that at no time prior to the accident had he overheard any conversation about a mechanical 5S)