Gold Hill daily news. [volume] (Gold Hill, N.T. [Nev.]) 1863-1882, 1873-04-22
Aerial Navigation.
frrom he q. F. Bulletin, April l7th.j

have become the chosen field OF expsr-
imenters In the great problem OF arisl
navigation, and various projects nave
at times arisen and aroused the hopes,
as we'll as engaged the capital OF the
sanguine,. who dreamed of tho ultimate
establishment of air ship lines adapted
to tho rapid transit Of heavy freight
and passenger traffic. And quite as
often have tho hopes Of these visionary
persons been disappointed, and the
different inventions relapsed Into for.
e%etfulness, except to those possessed OF
the immaterial stock certificates OF
such enterprises. But now II the pre-
dictions Of "a number Of really scientific
parties are to DO realized, triumph Is
near at hand, and the State must GER
tainly derive the credit OF n OF the
greatest achievements Of mechanical
ingenuity Of the age. The experiment
of aerial navigation Is about being tried
according to the plans perfected 6y.a
venerable genius named j. .. Fair
view who has the prestige, at least,
of having previously produced several
inventions Of the highest utility In
other fields Of mechanics. MI. Fair
view has been engaged for several
years In periecting his present inyen-
ton. which Is claimed to have worked
entirely satisfactory IN the model, and
a number OF scientific gentlemen Of
the city express much confidence In his
success, and lend him substantial en-
courapement In developing his inven-
ton ON an enlarged scals. The air
ship, which has already received the
designation Of
THE GLADIATOR
Is being constructed on entirely new
and original plans. the complication
of which renders description difficult
In a brief limit. The main ship So
called, consists Of hickory hoop. light
but strong, oval In shape, and pointed
at one end. This Is sixty feet In
breadth. The hoop Is merely the stay
of a canvas sack, calculated for the re-
ception of gas. Above this Is another
gas receptacle, nearly similar In shape,
but lighter In construction and greater
In capacity for holding gas. 1t is at
tached to the main ship by strong
stays on all sides. Below the main
ship Is q small boat-like car, for tho
accommodation OF tho passengers. On
the sides of the main ship are attached
enormous wings, which operate SINH
lar to those of q bat, and also paddle
wheels, which exert their force against
the air, but offer no resistance. OF
course a steering apparatu. is includ-
ed, somewhat resembling the tail ola
bird. In the craft now preparing for
All aerial flight, 1000 yards Of fabric
are used, and a considerable amount
of steel, cordage, and light wood
work. Above the whole contrlvance
protrudes a spar, to which will be at
tached q mainsail and jib. In the
ship now preparing for a cruise, the
wings and propelling wheels will be
operated BY manual power, BY means
Of cranks. The Gladiator Is designed to
CARRY TEN PERSONS.
Two will be stationed OH either side
of tho frame work Of the main ship, to
operate the wings, ons at tho stern. to
operate the rudder, and the remainder
In the car below, to spell themselves
In turning the crank which ~revolves
the propslllng wheels on the sides Of
the main ship. The concern will thus
DO. aside from the sails, In about the
form of three almond pits lying fiat
wise," and will thus offer little resist
ance to the breeze from any direction,
aud It Is the expectation Of the inven-
tor that he will DO enabled to obtain
the same advantages In the air as a
ship employs on the water.
The initiating capacity Of the Gladia-
tor will be u hundred and twenty
five thousand cubic feet of gas, and as
pure hydrogen Is to be used, her lift
Ing power will exceed three tons.
This will suffice to carry the air ship
and the contemplated ten persons Oh
the trial trip, and that Mons. Fairvlew
and his friends will 20 up, there need
be no doubt. The only question IL,
" What will they do with it?" Should
the propelling and steering apparatus
work satisfactorily permitting steady
courses, easy landings, etc., why OF
course the problem Of aerial navigation
will be solved. The air ship ls In
COURSE of construction In the old dane
ing hall at the City Gardens, and 1t Is
promised that the departure will be
made from there about the first Of
May. The ascension Is fully assured,
but the results we leave to after con
siderations. Meantime, the prepare
tions will no doubt engage the atten.
tlon Of the curious.