Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1851-08-07
The New Flying Shin.


On saturday IN company with several gentlemen
invited by Mr. I: Robjohn, we had an opportuni-
y OF examining the immense mrial ship sUnited
States, J" now on the stocks at Hdbokcn and near
~ ready for launching into the air. Trusting
that some account of this unique affair may be IN
'erestinS TO our readers we took few notes,
which will serve reliable data for a brief de-
scripton: The car is 81 feet in length, very
sharp at either end, width feet, height feet 4
inches the whole composed of strong, light
wooden frame covered with canvass, with doors
and glass windows. The boilers are of cop
per, on the Tubular plan, and occupy a space
equal to cubic feet the engines are very perfect
being composed of gun metal and cast-stcei they
are OF II horse power and are to work 20 inch
stroke 66 times per minute, which will give 400
revolutions OF the floats which are placed in a
substantial framework on the top of the car
There IS sufficient room for % passengers, with
fuel for four hoars The float is 26O feet in
me centre, and has gas capacity equal to 5000
cubic feet, which gives lifting power equal to
10000 pounds. The entire weight of the car,
float and fixtures is but about 900 pounds cav-
ing $500 pounds surplus. It is destined to run
about 200 feet above the surface OF the earth at
rate OF speed varying from . to 80 miles per
hour. The engines are a curiosity, their weight
beng ISL pounds, and so perfect are they that by
The force OF his lungs, Mr. Roblohn caus I'd both
pislons to work full revolution, carrying dri-
wing wheel of five feet diameter. The rudder is
worthy of minute examination, and by it it is des-
tined TO run up or down, in any required di-
rection. The car is suspended by cords to the
float, and when the whole is inflated and suspend
ed IN md-atr under the estimate velocity, it will
be rare sight.
The reality of such a scheme can hardly be COM
pretended. until one examines the admirable ma
chnery and actually sits down on the car, when
its feasibility seems to be probable. The ship so
far has cost the Inventor about So 800 and he now
requires only few hundred more to perfect and
set ailoat his air ship. 1t is designed to drive
this vessel by steam aud to obviate the necessity
Of fuel, Mr. Robjohn says he has discovered
plan for dccomposing water, igEitng the gasSes,
which again become water, which is converted
into steam, by the combustion, and this steam is
again condensed and returned for decomposition.
thus securing entire immunity from waste, and a
uniform weight during the longest voyages The
present arrangement of the engines are. however,
on the usual reciprosity plan, driven by steam
generated from coke and spirits of wine.
The vessel lies on the plain west Of Hoboken
village, and is surrounded by strong enclosure
800 BY 275 feet-the whole under the constant
surveillance of a watchm,n. Several capitalists
are examining the plan. and it is to be hoped that
the want of few hundred dollars may not be
the means of preventing fair trial of this grand
attempt to navigate the air. Any person DESTROYS
Of examining this affair always do so by calling
on Mr. Robldhn. at his office, 1876 Bowerv, or at
the stocks in Hoboken, about one mile from the
ferry.-N Y. Tribune.