Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1859-09-13

to make a trip to Europe, and while several Of
them have been making oonsiderablo noiso on
the subject in tho newspapers, Yankee named
Lowe has been quietly constructing an Airship
in the vicinity of New York, which will be
among balloons Whattbe Great Eastern Is among
steamships Mr.. Lowe iS a New Hampshire
man, who has made thirty-six balloon ascen-
siOns, his lastPublic appearance being at Port
land the 4th of July last Since then he has
been experimenting The work on his monster
Getty Of New York" the dimensions, DC, Of
which are thus stated by the Times ofthe 10th,
Transverse characterized. ..-..---.... 1Oi
height from valve 10 oboat-feet.-.----.... $50
Weight, With outht-tons- So
Lifting power taggregatel-tons.-.----.- as
Capacity Of gas-envelope-c fset------. 525,0OO
The Ciy Of Nelo York, is therefore nearly five
times larger than the largest balloon ever be-
fore built It's form is that of the usual per-
pendcular gas-receiyor, with basket and life
boat attached The introduction Of valuable
improvements, however, leads to the convic.
ii that ite general arrangement is greatly su
perior. Mechanical power ia to be applied, the
aronautic party will keep the cold awoy from
their marrow by the use Of lime stove; new
arrangement ofrevolving fms has been devised;
and the material of which the envelope is en-.
closed is covered with peculiar varnish, the
invention Of Mr.. Lowe.
Six thousand yards Of twilled cloth have
been used in the construction of the envelope.
Reduced to feet, the actual measurement Of
this material is - 600 feet-or nearly eleven
miles. Seventeen Of Wheeler q Wilson's sew
ing machines have been employed TO connect
the pieces, and the upper extremity Of the en-
velope, intended TO receive the gas-vslve, is
OF triple thickness, strengthened with heavy
brown linen, and sewed in triple seams. The
pressure being greatest at this point, extraordi.
nary power of resistance is requisite 1t is as
serted that cne hundred women, sewing con-
stantly for two years, could not hayo accom-
pshed this work, which measures by miles
The material is stout, and the stitching stouter
The varnish applied TO this envelope is a
composition, the secret of which rests with Mr..
Lowe Three or four cOatipgs are applied, in
order to prevent leakage of gas.
The netting which surrounds the envelope is
a stout cord, manufactured from flax, express
ly for the purpose. Its aggregate strengh is
equal to resistance Of l6O tons; each cord
being capable Of sustaining weight of four or
Eve hundred pounds.
The basket which is to be suspended imme-
diately below the balloon is made of rattan. is
~ leeL IN circumference anu leet uteps us
form is circular, and it is surrounded by canvas.
This car will carry the aeronauts. II is warm
ed by lime-stnvs, an invention Of Mr.. o. A.
eager, by whom il was presented to Mr.. Lowe,
A lime-stove is a new feature in air voyages =
1t is claimed that il will furnish heat without
fire, and is intended for a warming g-apparatus
only. The stove is l 2 feet high, and 2 feet
square. MIR. Lowe states that he is so well con
vlDced of the utility of this contrivance that
he conceives it to be possible TO ascend to a
region where water will freeze, and yet keep
himself from freezing. This is to be tested
Dropping below the basket is a metallic life
boat in which is placed an Ericsson engine.
Capt Eriesson's invention is therefore to be
tried in mid air. Its particular purpose is the
control of propeller, rugged upon the princi.
pie of the screw, by which it is proposed to
obtain regulating power The application of
the mechanical power is ingeniously devised,
The propeller is fixed in the bow of the life
boat, projecting at an angle Of about 45 deg
From wheel at the extremity, twenty fans |
radiate. Each of these fans is five feet in |
length, widening gradually from the point Of |
contact with the screw to the extremity, where |
the width ofeach is u feet. MIR. Lowe claims |
hat by the application of these mechanical |
his air ship can be readily raised |
Dr lowered, to seek different currents of air;
that they will give him smple Storage way,
and that they will prevent the rotary motion
Of the machine. In applying the principle OF
the fan, he does not claim any new discovery, |
but simply a practical development of the |
theory advanced by other Rronapts, and par
tally reduced to practice by Charles Greene, |
the celebrated Englishleronaut. Mr.. Lowe con-
tends that the application of machinery to |
Rreal navigation has been long enough mere |
theory. He proposes TO reduce the theory to |
practice and see what will come of it, It is
estimated that the raising and lowering power
of the machinery will be equal to a weight OF
300 pounds the fans being SO adjusted as to
admit Of very rapid motion upward or down |
ward. As the loss of three or four pounds
only, is sufficient TO enable balloon to rise
rapidly, and as the escape of very small por-
ton of the gas sufices to reduce It's altitude,
Mr.. Lowe regards this systematic regulator
quite sufficient to enable him to control his
and to keep at any altitude he
desires. 1t is his intention TO ascend TO hight
of three or four miles at the start; but this
altitude will not be permanently sustained He
prefers, he says to keep within respectable |
distance Of mundane things, "where he can see |
folks He hopes 10 make the trip from this |
city to London in AS hours; certainly in Ga |
hours. He scouts the idea of danger, goes |
about his preparations deliberately, and prom |
ises himself good time. AS the upper cur
rents, setting due east, will not permit his
return by the same route, he proposes to pack
up the City of New York, and take the first
steamer for home.
The air ship will carry weight. Its cubical
contents of 725 600 feet of gas sufIices to
lift weight of 22i tons With outfit complete
itS own weight will be 81 tons. With this
weight 10 tons of lifting power remain, and
there is accordingly room for many passen-
gers as will care to take the venture. We
however, that the company il
limited to eight or ten If he fai, the onter |
prise sinks the snug sum OF $4,000. Wealthy |
men, who are his hackers, sharing his own |
declare failure impossible, and |
invite pstient public to wait and see
The precise time for the ascension has not
,een fixed. The ship is so near completion
hat the event will not probably be delayed be-
lond three or four weeks.