Washington telegraph., 1851-08-20

with several gentlemen, invited by Mr.
L. RobJohn, we had an opportunity OF
examining the immense Rral ship UNI
| ted States" now on the stocks at Hobo
ken. and nearly ready for launching in
the air. Trusting that some account of
this unique affair may be interesting to
our readers, we took a few notes, which
will serve a reliable date for a brief des
cription. The car is Ga feet in length,
very sharp at either end, width 6 feet,
| height feet 4 inches, the whole com-
| posed OF a strong wooden frame, covered
with canvas, with doors and glass Will
| dows. The boilers are of copper, OH
the tabular plan, and occupy space
equal to four cubic feet; the engines are
very perfect, being composed of gun
metal and cast steel; they are of twelve
horse power, and are to work 20 inch
stroke &c times per minute, which Will
give 400 revolutions of the floats, which
are placed in substantial frame work
on the top of the car. There is sufficient
room for twenty-five passengers, with
fuel for four hours. The float is 260 feet
IL length, of cigar-Iike shape, "a feet
diameter in the centre, and has gas
apacity equal to 95, 600 cubic feet, which
gives lifting power equal to 6 800 pounds
| leaving 2. 500 pounds surplus. 1t is des-
igred 10 run about 200 feet above the sur
face Of the earth, at rate Of speed vary
ing from 25 to so miles per hour. The en-
gines a curiosity their weight being
| 81 pounds, and SO perfect are they that by
The force of his lungs, Mr. Robjohn caused
| both pstons 70 work full revolution, carry
inga driving wheel Of five feet in diameter.
The ludderls worthy of minrte examina-
ton, and by it, it is designed to run up or
down, or i'll any required direction. The
car is suspended by cords to the float and
when the whole is inflated and suspended
i'll mid-air under the estimated Velocity
IL Will be rare sight
The reality Of such a scheme can
hardly be comprehended until one exam
ines the admirable machinery, and actu.
ally sits down in the car, when its feasi-
bility seems to be probable. The ship
hns far has cost the inventor about 80,
500, and he now requires only few
hundred more to perfect and set alloat
his air ship. 1t is designed to drive this
vessel by steam; and 10 obviate the ne
cessity Of fuel, Mr.. Rob5ohn says he has
discovered plan for decomposing water
| igr;tiug the gasses, which again become
| water, which is converted into steam by
| the combustion, and this steam IS again
| condensed aud returned for decomposition,
thus securing entire immunity from waste,
and a uniform weight during the longest
VOYAGES. The present arrangement OF
he engines are, however, on the usual
reciprocity plan, driven by steam genera
ted from coke and spirits of wine.
| The vessel lies on the plain west of
| Hohoken village, and is surrounded bv a
strong enclosure 900 feet by 275 faet-
the whole under the constant surveillance
of watchman. Several capitalists are
examining the plan, and 1t is TO be
| hoped that the want of few huuGred
dollars may not be the means of prevent
ing fair trial of this grand attempt to
| navigate the air.
Any person desirous of examining this
affair can always do so bv calling OH Mr.
| Robiohn, at his Office, 166, Bowery, or at
the stocks in Hoboken, about one mile
| from the ferry.
~-~-----~--~->---~-------------~~~~-