The Columbia herald. [volume] (Columbia, Tenn.) 1850-1873, 1873-08-01
The Transatlantic Balloon.
New York Graphic

The car of the balloon, 1.-THE Daily
Graphic," as designed by Profs. Wise
and Donaldson, is now being carefully
constructed under the direct supervis>
ion of the latter, and when completed
will be marvel of lightness, strength,
and convenience. 1t will necessarily be
a combination of store> house, dOrmito-
ry, work shop, and observatory. 1t will
be supported at one point oniy-its apex
and, besides it's own weight and that
of the passengers and ballast, will have
to bear the strain of the lifeboat. below.
1t may be described in brief as to con-
sist, III outline, of twelve stout ropes
loopsd, with their twenty-four ends tied
in the supporting ring above. These
loops will he distended into a bell ike
shape-by three great hoops of stout ash,
the lower of which, eight feet in diam
eter, will support q flooring strong
enough to hold most OF the ballast. This
flooring will be laid of two LAYERS of
narrow ash boards, the direction OF one
layer being at right angles to the other.
This arrangement is desigred to aid in
resisting the pressure on the hoops from
the ropes, which will pass around I'M
DER the cotton of the car. -Four and a
hall feet above this HoCr IS another, rest
ing on hoop ten feet in diameter. This
will consist of one layer of light pine
boards, to be removed and thrown out if
necessary, but which, nevertheless, will
be the ''Inain floor OF the airy tene-
ment. Between these two floors and
extending about four feet above the up
per one, Ire siding viii consist of stout
rope network. with Heshes OF apout
four inches. Outside of this, and be-
tween It and the ropes, there will be
casing OF stout canvas or duck, extend
ing. however, only TO the upper ttoor.
About ten feet above this floor will be
placed the third diSteBded hoop, six feet
in diameter. above which the main
ropes will taper directly in the ring.
IRON ins anex to the main floor the
cor will be covered with duck, the lower
part Of which viii be cut and arranged
10 b4 rolled up in separate pieces, like
curtains. There will be four windows
cut in the canvas siding, to LOOK from in
ease it will be necessary to fasten the
curtains down, There will also be all
oppning through the top, out of which
person may climb on rope ladder into
The ropes anOve. ; sGanhOle will also
be cut i'm the floor TO allow access 10 the
cellar" where the ballast. &c, is stor~
ed. From ring t" lower floor the car
will be about sixteen feet. The ring
will be huge affair, consisting of three
different pieces of metal, and designed
to stand all tests, either of tension or
lar AS an appropriate adornment,
Mage o. various nations will be display
cd from the uppeE past 0t the car,
Still pore interesting, perhaps, than
description of the car, is list of things
70 he placed in it. The most prominent
object In the lower apartment represent
ell i'm the sketch is basket capable of
holding a number of men, and designed
to be attached to the ring above, should
IL he found necessary TO cut the large
car away piecemeal to tighten the air
II -t,N.sIF no tE0nl1fyhf 4
sirable, through distrust Of the large
balloon from injury, it may be attached
to the smaller balloon, the tender, and
the marty thus be given new lease of
life, 1t will also enable them to separ-
ale. leaving portion only to continue
the voyage, the main balloon being thus
Of portion of its fixed weight.
In this apartment also Will De placed
the ballast, consisting of sand IN TWEEN
ty-five pound bags, and in great part al |
so in CASKS of water.
The water ballast will be especially |
because small stream may be |
set flowing at night hanged TO compen> !
safe the loss OF buoyaDt power OF the |
balloon. Here, too, will be placed in |
abundance various kinds of provisions, |
consisting largely 90 canned food. |
Axes, hatchets, graphing irons, rope in |
coils, and other accessory things will be |
slowed away. Torpedoes, with para
chute attachments, will also be provided, |
TO be let fall in the night. These will |
be set so as to explode When they strike |
he water. The direction of the flash /
will indicate the way the balloon is
drifting. As to the furniture OF the up
per department, the main feature is tbs
v indlass, which may be put to sevsral
uses, the principal of which will be the
OF the small balloon and
he raising and lowering of the trail
-ope. 1t should be remembered that
he balloOnists will be prepared with
.ope to send the small balloon up two
thousand feet above them, for the pur-
,ose of testing currents without wasting
ballast. The windlass will also be used |
or raising or lowering the boat. A
age of carrier-pigeons, for half-daIly or
ven hourly communication with the !