American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1875-08-14
The New Flying-Machine.

w. r. OnrOeQer, whose novel inventor
in the shape of an air-ship, asserted to b.
entirely under the control of its engineer
has been mentioned in the Tribune recent
! ly, was in this city yesterday exhibiting
his model and drawings and consulting
with engineers. The machine is in the
form of life-bOat, supported by balloon
/ and propelled and steered in the desired
| direction by apparatus like that used in
marine vessels. The boat is sixty-five feet
in length by about ten feet in breadth OF
beam. Its ribs are OF three-quarter-lnch
wire, and each is capable of bearing a
strain {, 400 pounds. Over the wire
framework attached to the ribs is stretched
canvas boiled in oil, so as to be impervious
to both water and air. In each end of the
boat is steel rod or mast, twenty-eight
feet high, which is securely braced by
stays from every part of the vessel. Each
mast terminates above in strong cap of
wire framework, which encircles at either
end the points of the egg-shaped balloon,
which is thus always carried along with
the vessel, everdragging behind or sway
ing from its position, no matter how high
the rate of speed may be. Around the
middle of the balloon passes q strong CIR
die attached to the balloon at points only
two feet apart. From this descend the nu-
merous carrying ropes which support the
car. The strength of the balloon is in
y
forrths miles of netting, capable of bear
ing strain of 25 900 pounds. With this
arrangement, if the balloon should burst
which, it is claimed, is beyond the limitof
probability-the firm girdle, secured at the
ends to the mastheads would only allow
the bottom of the balloon to float up, form
ing an immense parachute, the buoyancy
of which would cause slow descent in
spiral direction.
TI,6ar nt to rSoI
locomotion heretofore has been the rotary
tendency of the balloon, which, so long as
only one motor was employed, was an in
superable difficulty The aeronaut could
pots against this rotation But it oc-
CURED to Mr.. Schroeder that if propulsion
could be effected both before and behind
by one power pushing and another pulling
the rotation would be got rid of, and then
guidance would be a comparatively easy
each end of the boat propeller OF two
blades-so that by placing them horizon
tally he can settle his boat flat upon the
ground-each blade constructed of wire
and canvas, and fifteen feet long by four
and half feet broad. These rropellers,
when working together, act the one to pull
and the other to push the ship forward.
They will be able to make over 200 rev.
olutions per minute. At each end of the
ship is large .rudder, and these when
worked together stand at angles opposite
each other, SO that they act at bOttDends,
turning the stern one way and the bow the
other As this machinery is disconnected
the propellers can beth work in one di- !
rectiOn or in opposite directions, and as
they are reversible Roadway can be made
equally well in either direction. But this |
is not all. On each side of the boat Is |
fastened by hinges a wing thirty-five feet |
long by fifteen feet wide in front and ten |
feet wide behind, which is concave on the |
inner surface. 1t is set at IN angle declin-
ing slightly toward the front and flaps up I
and down at the rate-under full speed
Of 100 or ITO strokes minute. 1t works |
on the principle of the birds wing, catch
ing the air in the hollow beneath in the
downward stroke; the upward pressure
ends to lift the machine, but as the wing
is slightly inclined forward the resultant
If this pressure upon the angle of inclina-
ion is tendency to push forward, which
IS no little help to the propellers. This
apparatus, by being carefully regulated SO
as to create IA balance between the force of
lble the air-ship to stand still, which
would make it very valuable as means
IF military observation.
The machinery will be operated by
yery light, strong hydraulic engine of
bout eighthorse power, to be built
specially for the purpose. The balloon
Will hold about sc, 900 cubic feet of gas,
md still allow all needed room for expan-
ion; but, to provide against possible
ack of gas, a gas-generator of large ca
,acity will be kept on board to keep up a
constant supply In case Of leak little
smeared with bird lime, will be
cnt up inside the great globe, which, be-
ng sucked into the leak and sticking
here, will stop it completely. Only such
hcight-to be measured by the barome-
er-wilI it be attempted to reach as will
AIRY the aeronauts above hurricanes and
In a still air it is claimed
hat Il speed of fully seventy miles an
lour can be obtained, while Il far greater
elocity can be reached with favorable
Wind The whole air-vessel will weigh
800 pounds, and freight to the amount
# II, COO pounds can be carried under or
inary conditions.
Immediately after Mr.. Schroetler's re-
urn TO Baltimore, the contract will be let
" him and Geo. w. Gail, of the firm of
iail Il AK, of Baltimore, his partner, and
is expected that the vessel will be ready
" Aug. Is, alta costof s., 900 to, &6, 600.
The Inventor will go first TO Washington,
nd thence in turn to New York, Phila-
elpliia and Baltimore, when, If he has had
he success of which he is now confident, he
will make proposals to the Government TO
AIRY mails to Europe.-N. Y. Tribune.
-Caterpillars are becoming a devour.
NO nest in the gardens around Portland, 4,