The daily Cairo bulletin. (Cairo, Ill.) 1878-1???, 1883-07-31
A MAMMOTH AIR SHIP.
How it was Constructed and Equipped
It's Start on aVoyage.

NEW YORK, July ga special dispatch
TO the Herald from Paris says a balloon as
cent OF more than ordinary interest and i'm
portance took place last evening from the
gas works Of La villette, Ia the northeast
quarter OF Paris. Ii was made under the
auspices OF the Societs Franchise de Nayi-
cation Aerienne, The balloon is one OF the
largest ever made. 1t 10 the property Of
Comte de Dion and N. Rembielinsky.
With these two gentlemen in the car were
NJ, Franchette and NJ. Du Ssyuelle, meteor
oogisls, all four being scientific amateurs
devoted to the science OF aerostation. The
capacity OF the balloon is 4 200 cubic meters
and It's weight 80 kilogrammes, the car
weighing $50 kilogrammes. The balloon and
It's equipment presented several novel
features OF great interest and value to the
study Of aerial navigation. The principal
OF these Is the invention Of the Comtel de
Dion himself. The balloon which has lust
quilted the earth at La Vilette is double
balloon, so to speak. Over the ordinary
oiled silk OF which the balloon proper is
made, Is covering Of white calico, which
extends over Its upper half. From this
outer covering long funnel Of oiled silk
extends downward and connects with a
ventilating machine attached tothe outside
Of the car, which, by turning crank,
sends blast OF cold air out of the funnel
and underne ath the outer layer. The OBJ
iect OF this is to place q layer Of cold air
between the coverings which shall preserve
the gas in the balloon from being unduiy
influenced by the rays Of the sun.
Another novelty was the method of At
taching the car to the balloon, the cords be-
ing arranged in scientific system of trian-
guation, enabling the weight of the car to
be equally distributed around its circumier-
ence aud keeping II in perfectly horizon
tai position In spite Of any shifting OF weight
within 1t. In nautical parlance the car
would always be trimmed. The anchor
itself was another novelty, consisting Of
number OF formidable looking fukes, 80
arranged that they could net fail TO hold, or
least catch on any obstacle which they
might meet. II was attached to q powerful
hawser. which itself weighs 100 kilo.
grammes. The anchor looks as II, with the
vast balloon exerting its power above
1t, 1t could uproot forest
or unroof house with ease, and Is mat
ter OF fact tho engineer and meteorologist,
N. du Savuelie, informed me that the an
Choir and cable 1Niid resist wind blowing
with an energy 81 twenty-five metres a Sec
cnd The car is Of extremely neat basket
work, light and yet strong. 1t IL comforla-
bly, lined with padded grey American cloth
with cano seats. Over the lockers at the
east end tits obleng, and there was ample
room for the four aeronsuts, their scientific
Instruments, laid OH q wicker table, and
for the hampers OF provisions with which
the travellers are 10 make good cheer be-
twixt earth aud heaven. Two prize car
risr pigeons completed the living freight of
the car. They will be released 70 bear the
news Of the voyage. The scientific instru.
menw are OF the finest quality, and
comprise hydrometer for the
measurement OF the moisture or dry
ness OF the atmosphere, a psychrometer for
measuring the tension OF aqueous yspor,
an anevroid barometer, and an extremely
sensitive metallic thermometer. The
scientific equipment Of tho balloon was COM
pletcd by some beautiful little electric
lights, with their complement Of charged
batteries, among them being . tiny cleo.
tric bull's-cye lantern, the rays Of which
might require attention. must not forget
the silver plated speaking trumpet, through
which In due time stentoriAn voice will
announce to terrified peasants or . startled
sea captain the presence Of tbs heaven dc.
scended visitors. The hour of ascending
was fixed for ESQ o'clock, but II was after
10 before the ascension tsok place. Grad
ually tho balloon, borne on q southwest
wiad. grew aim aud Vanished In tho sky.
The pigeons will bring news from II to-
might, perhaps nom the Rl1ns.