Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-08-18
BIGGER THAN ANYBODY.

BIGGER THAN ANYBODY.
On Tuesday, Col. King received another
chapter of interesting information regarding
| the sensation air-ship, "Great Northwest
which leaves the Minneapolis fair grounds at
O'Clock on Wednesday afternoon, September
z, under the guidance of the distinguished
scientist and seronaut, Prof, Samuel A. King,
of Philadelphia, and which will start from the
metropolis of the Northwest for the metropo-
Lis of America, bearing number Of adventu-
rous souls. The latest information referred
to is contained in letter from Prof. King,
published below, and which gives very CON-
plete description Of the balloon and its lead
ing characteristics;
AN INTERESTING DESCRIPTION.
PHILADELPHIA, Aug. ~, 1881.
Col. Vim. s. King-Dear Sir: / have just
received your draft for $1,000. l shall leave
here by September at the latest and hope to
start sooner, but have much to do. In re-
gard to the basket in which shall bear away
with me my gallant crew, l shall want it al
tered and strengthened, land hence have shipped
it to you with directions for the engagements.
1t has borne me safely through many peril
GUS voyage, and it is designed to take me and
my crew on the greatest aerial voyage ever at
tempted in any country. | shall have, with
out doubt, the best balloon ever constructed.
Inclosed / send samples of the material, which
you will see is two thicknesses of cloth placed
together contrawise, and between them are 120
delicate coats of india rubber, and yet it is
hardly perceptible. The production of this
material is the acme of balloon cloth, and has
been long and tedious operation as well as
very costly. I realize the Importance of this
trip as scientific matter, and also the value
of the lives take with me, and have spared
neither pains nor money in its construction.
The ship will be made double with this
peerless cloth except in the top, where it will
be trebled 1t will be composed of sixtytwo
segments, or cores, each ninety-fye feet long
and thirty-five incnes at the widest part. Each
seam will be made with three rows of stitch
ing and strips of the india-rubber coated ma
terial will be cemented over the seams on the
inside to prevent the gas escaping through the
needle holes. A copper valve will be placed
in the top, and besides this means of allowing
gas to escape when necessary there will be Il
collapsing cord, which will be used only in
time of extreme danger or when landing; for
the use of this cord, as its name indicates, is
to make complete collapse and consequently
ends the voyage then and there. In exact
figures the balloon will measure 1856 feet around
by IS feet high. Over all, from valve to ear,
will hang an immense net of cotton cord made
of fine warp yarns and soft laid expressly for
this aerial craft. The strength of the netting
is fully in keeping with the immense strain it
Will have to bear, the thousands of pounds of
sand necessary for the extraordinary voyage in
contemplation, and of course the most per-
feet safety for the voyagers require this.
have sent an invitation to the United States
signal service bureau for scientific observer
to accompany us, and OF course we shall be
honoIed. have also invited my fellow vOy-
ager of twenty-five previous ascents, Luther
l.. Holden, of the Boston Journal. Don't be
frightened-t is room enough for all. But
have been overwhelmed with applications
for passage and have been compelled to de-
cline them. The Times and the Press of this
city want very much to send representatives.
Mr.. Chester, of the New York Spirit of the
Times, will no doubt accompany us.
In regard to the iron you speak of, which
is to be used in making gas, a little rustiness
here and there is to be expected, but nothing
that has ever "cakcd" together would answer.
1t is IRON we want, not oxide of iron, although
the presence of the latter will not hurt any
thug if { it is not in too great quantities. l
presume shall be in Minneapolis before you
set the tanks in their places, but for fear that
you may want to set them before that time l
will mention few points it will be well TO
observe: Select the spot for the lnfla-
ton if possible under the shell
Ter of anything that will be likely to break off
The previling winds, as hill or piece of
woods, if there are any such, or large build
ing If nothing else. In other words, as we
cannot foresee the winds which znay blow to
annoy us while Initiating, think of it when Sc
Letting the spot. When the eight tanks are
10 be set, let them stand in semicircle, with
the corresponding eight hogsheads within the
circle, SO that hose leading from each hogs
head shall roach oeneral connection from
which proceeds the single hose to the balloon.
The tanks should be set level, and a curve
should be cut in the soil to let down the
Climbs, SO that the bottom may itself rest on
solid ground, in order that it may not be
sprung with the weight of the iron, a large
amount of which must rest upon it. Con-
venence to water must also be considered, for
each tank will be required to be a little more
than half filled after the iron is put in, and we
shall want plenty of water on the Gay of inla-
ton. From three to four men will be wanted
at each tank, to pour Eitriol, etc. The tanks
must be coated with varnish or paint till the
pores of the wood are thoroughly closed, else
a large quantity of gas will escape through
the wood on account ofthe back pressure.
In conclusion. my dear colonel, permit me
to assure you that my arrangements are all so
made that failure to get off at precisely the
hour you have advertised is next to impossi-
prevents imitation, or the weathsr is very
stormy, "The Great Northwest" will leave
your grounds as prompt as an express trail,
and fly away on the grandest and most thrill
ing voyage ever attempted. have every con-
fidence that we shall reach New York in per-
feet safety. but just how soon, cannot say.
My great regret is that l cannot be one among
the thousands of spectators to witness the
leaving of the balloon. 1t will be grand
sight and one never to be forgotten imag-
inc now ] hear the wild shouts of the multi
tuJe as we sail away, the music of the band
and the whistling of the winds. In moment
we shall hive jumped far beyond earth and
its cares, and 60 whirling miles and miles up
ward and onward. The greatest interest is be-
ing manifested throughout the East regarding
our trip, as it will prove The pioneer OF aerial
navigation.
Trusting to- seee you soon, 1 am truly
yours, SAMUEL A. KING.
Reception Committee.
r. W. Berry, of Nelson, Williams & Co.