New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1859-09-16
THE NEW .4IR-SHIP.
emigraEts.

wears practical experience, and mechanicsn of I'M
common ing. nui.y has bsen for several
in building and perectipg an AirShip OF unparalleled
Dimensions with which he proposes to undertake the
transit OF the Atlantic Ocean. This daring Sehems
has been fer mspy years the pet ambition OF mary
seronauts who have lacked either the boldRess TO
cary their plans into execution or have not had the
pecunisry mesns 20 build the proper machinery. M
Lowe, being luckily possessed of both these requ
sites has inverted come $ O0On the construction ct
a machine with which be is confident ne can make
sir voyages of days or even weeks duration. de
planned his nine, and even began his work, some
eight months sirce; but hearing that his friend, Mr.
John Wise, had in contemplation the construction OF
a m,chine for the transatlantic trip, Mr.. Lowe laid
aside his work for Elk months. Mr.. Wise having for
satisfactory reasons given up the PROJECT ct building
his machine Mr.. Lowe resumed work on his nven-
ton, and for the pat two months the labor of num-
Der of persors Numbering at tmes as many as sixty,
has been constantly in requstion, and the machine
now in so great state Of orwardness that but two
or three weeks more time is required to put is in
working order, resdy for the great experiment.
The work has been carried on with 80 much mys-
teIy that but few of the many people engaged on 1t
have had any idea TO what end so much sewing, and
netting, and vanishing tended host of them
imagined that they were working on some sort OF
new gled tents, foe patent sails of fashion
soon to be introduced certain Government vessels
The scene of operations is about five miles distant
from New-Yoik, it being necessary to have grassy
field of considerable extent on which to vlrnish and
prepare the four or five of material. Two tents
are erected on the ground, under one Of which is
stored the material at night while the other is used
for the compromising Of certain substances of most
vlsinous smeD, which enter into the composition OF
the peculiar vsrnish with which the materis! has to
be saturated to make j; gastght. Some eight or ten
men were busiy engaged at the time of our visit,
some in laying on this varrish with huge brushes,
others in boiling and mixing the Ingredients and stil
others in spreading opt the cloth to dry under the
rays Of the sun.
To give an idea Of the size and general build Of this
immerse machine, We append the following paricu-
lars: The AI-Ship is nothing more than huge bal
loon of such giant dimensions, however, that al bal
Icons previously con truc.ed seem minSture in COM
parisop. The circumference Of the gas-holdsr or
balloon proper, measured around the long diameter,
is 3s7 feet; computed around the transverse dame
ter it lie 800 feet. This capsciou, globe will contain
200 eco cubic feet Of gas, or more than five times
more than the largest balloon hitherto constructed.
1t is covered with a net, to which is suspended in
the usual the car for passengers and ballast
still below which depends the ife-boat. The netting
is kilt Of fsxen cord about of inch in diameter
which was made expressly for this purpose, and which
lie entirely free from the stiffness OF ordinary twne
being as soft and e xble silk shoestripg. At the
top Of the globe this netting is fastened to hempsn
rope. inches in diameter, and which will resist a
strain of 50 tups 1t is 400 mestes wide around the
mde lie Of the globe-the number diminishing, ofcourse,
toward either end At the lower side the cords Of the
netting are gathered into the concentrating hoop"
stout circle of iIrch wrought iron, to which
fastened the car and all the weight TO be taken up.
This netting, with its ropes and hoop, weighs 32j
pounds-the length of cord used in its construction
being more than IS miles. Tie cord will resist
strain of 400 pounds that the strength Of the net
is ample.
The material of the gas globe is double twilled
muslin, Of which 5000 yards have been used.
The cloth wss three times carefully overhsued by the
most trustworthy persons, and every flaw, hole or
slight strsnng apart the threads covered with
spatch of elk stitched down by hand. This is, OF
course, 70 guard against leakage Of gas. The cloth
was nelt cut ard made into sections gores of which
the long ones forming the upper part Of the machine
l05 feet lorg, and the lower ones AZ feet long
and between and connecting these sections belt 2i
the globe. For 30 feet the upper part Of each Of tho
top sections double ard for 81 feet there three
thicknesses Of CLOTH thus giving at the top Of the
globe circle Of So feet diameter Of double cloth, aud
smaller circle ii ket diameter Of triple material
TIE Intention of this is TO give the greatest strength
at the top Of the machine, where the valve is inserted
and where the most severe strain will come
VIXEN the cloth had been cut and stitched into these
sections the ne1t operation TO thoroughly saturste
them with the varnish before mentioned. Tee first
coat Of vanish increased the weigh Of the cloth 800
pounds the following ones, Of course add much less
TO tie weight -Four barrels Of varnish were used in
putting the frat coat but much Of il was waited
owing 10 the ireIperience Of the persons employed 10
lay it Cd.
The car, which is TO contain the passengers and a
part of the ballast il made OF strong rattan aud Is
20 feet in circumference end 4 feet deep. Through
the bottom, Immediately in the center hole, II feet
IN diameter ia cut for the purpose Of permitting the
party TO pass tom the car to the boat which depends
20 feet tslow--a substantial ladder furnishing the
means Ct descent. Tie car basket, is circular 10
foIm is entirely surrounded with canvas and is sus.
perded Is feet below the concentrating hoop"
From this hoop close curtain comes down and fact
ems to the edge Of the basket all Sides thus con.
verting the into close room of 90 feet in crcum
ference by Is feet high. Windows are pierced 10 the
canvas, and glass inserted 20 that the party will be
deprived OF no opportunity for observation of the va
Gus phenomena OF the airy regions they may traverse
As it is expected to ascend to hight where cold il
severe and perpetual due precaution has been taken
to protect the passengers from discomfort. stove
"a feet high and feet square, in which heat is gen.