The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-06-20
Selections.
AERIAL NAVIGATION.

AEktAL NAt16AltVNs
We have steam and improved modes
Of using it. Every year some danger
incident to its use isremoved. But the
lar. dust, and risk of being thrown from
i railway track, into sskingdom come, .
notwithstanding the various alluring
devices in the shape Of luxurious and
completely appointed staterooms and
sleeping cars, are all tending toward
the discovery of an easier and more oil,
rect mode of transit-that of travelling
as the birds fly. Aeronautical science
is reviving. In England there has been
established the Aerouautical Society
of Great Britain" of which the Duke
of Argyle is President, and which EN-
braces many eminent noblemen, CIVIL
engineers. and scientific men. At one
of this society, papers were read a., on the :,
Mechanical Conditions of Flight,
"The President State OF Aeronautlcal
Science and GA Theory on the Flight
of Birds, and Application to IN Aerial
Machine" The Earl of Aldborough is
constructing an aerial machine.
In France there is company orga-
nized "Campegnie DIES Transports Uni
versals," for the purpose of building,
equipping, and putting in operation an
aeriel ship invented and patented by
M. Vanaesse. 1t is described and illns-
trated in La Propagation Ladatstr5eG:
The inventor announces the essential
requisites which have been studied IN
its construction to be: l. CapabllIty
of sailing alike over plains and hills
without contact with the ground 2.
Means for convenient ascent and des-
cent, for embarkation; 8. The utiliza-
ton of the wind as q means of propul-
sion with the faculty of lacking in any
direction; 4. Facility for ascent with
out losing gas or ballast, both for the
purpose of reaching a proper mean
height, and to find favorable currents
of air for sailing.
The ship is described as composed of
a strong fame of light construction, Of
elongated form, and of greater breath
than height, of which the interior is di-
vided longditndinally into three large
compartments, the outer ones to con-
tain the ascensional force, distributed
in so large a number of balloons as to
avoid accidents from bursting, or other
causes which might compromise its sa-
fety. The central compartment is to
contain travellers, and the necessary or
gans and apparatus for propulsion or
direction.
Two screw propellors in the rear are
to be used to propel the ship in calm,
and to cause its ascent or descent obi
quely, without loss of gas or ballast,
after change of the center of gravity
has given a certain inclination to the
ship. Two lateral screws are arranged
forward, to be used independently of
each other, for the purpose of causing
the ship, with or without the aid of the
sails, to move obliquely to the currents,
like a ship lacking on the sea. How
these several screws are to be worked
is not stated. Perhaps the aeronout is
to spade his own canoe"
Below the lower gallery there is a
small boat which is to be lowered for
the reception of passengers, and raised
up into central well to take passen-
gers on board. The numerous gas bal
looms are attached to the inner part of
the frame; the outer portion sustains
an outer covering. The balloons are
all i'll communication with pumps and
reservoirs in the central hotel.
On each side of the ship or lateral
sectional sides, the sections of which are
movable to moderate the vertical move
ments of ascent and descent, and to CO.
operate in the oblique movements; they
also serve as keels. There are also sails
above and below, like the main sails of
a sloop, which are Unanswered as in
navigating. the sea, in order to obtain
from the wind propulsive force, and
to tack in other direction.
Such, in brief, are the general fea-
lures Of the proposed air ship. Whether
this combination prove success or not,
we believe the air will, within the CEN
fury, be navigated as surely, safely, and
commonly as water is now navigated.
Aquatic birds laugh us to float; aerial
birds will teach us to fly.