The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-08-19
HE MAY FLY THROUGH THE AK.
'rr. CampbeIrs Air Ship Americs Nearly
Ready tn Show What 1t Can DO.

Mr.. ~CampbeIrs Air Ship America Nearly
Ready tn Show What 1t Can Do.
New York Sun.
II don't propose to cross the Atlantic. or 20 10
the North pole. or to conquer any cyclones. or
ride any blizzsrda What I do intend Is simply
to sail easily and gracefully, not too high, but
just high enough in the upper air, In CAIN
weather, from one city to another, ana tnat
much l certainly will do, probably within .
month"
So says Peter c. Campbell, the inventor Of an
air-ship now nearing completion. The accom-
psnying illustration is an almost accurate rel,
reeentatiou Of how il Will appear. Inc ovoio
form above the car 10 . balloon OF silk AZ feet
long and "a feet in It's greatest diameter. with
q capacity of Is. 600 cubic feet. and VIII DC
charged with hydrogen gas. Connecting the
balloon with the arrow-like rod beneath Is o
keel Of the same material as that composing
the body of the balloon. Suspended Dc
low that pole is q boat-shaped car
containing the machinery for propulsion aud al
r~ection. with a central weil-like basket Tor
passengers. This car is &c feet long and feet
wide if the middle, with q depth OF 4 feet in the
basket. The basket is made Of wicker work,
with q bottom OF red cedar. very light. but
strong. The rest of the car is CONSTRUCTED al
most wholly of rattan. spruce. and silk. 10
avoid unnecessary weight, the puttipg together
Of it's parts has been done with the boat
builders glue and wsxed linen thread. instead
of nails or screws. On the sides are wings. IL
feet long and Z feet in EXTREMIST width, made or
silk stretched to rattan frames, which it is not
intended shall Be tapped. but set a such vari-
able angles as may be required by the direction
of the wind, TO give an effect similar TO that pro-
duced by the outspread wings of some great
birds. like the albatross, tina seem TO fly with
out motion. This effect will be further en-
HANGED by two great pairs of wings. fore and
aft OF the basket, that may DO closed, opened
aud set at will, as O requisite to aid in elevat-
ing, depressing or directing the structure.
1t is not purposed by Mr.. Campbell that the
balloon shall have very much more lifting ca
pacity than sufficient to neutralize the weight
of the machine. its occupants, and the necessary
ballast To ascend. it will be necessary to en-
ploy the force of q propeller wheel 8 feet In
diameter, that lies horizontally beneath the
basket Pref. Ritchel demonstrated that q y
inch wheel so employed, moving with great
velocity, would overcome a dead weight OF Ia
pounds put upon an exactly balanced balloon.
An application Of bicycle treadles and multiply
ing gears rotates the propeller. The same pow
err can also be applied TO the rotation of another
S-foot propeller at the stern, or
to one or moro Of three other propellers
which are to steer with. There is also q
rudder made like the wings at the bow instead
of the stern Of the car. and worked By lines
from the basket. The rear propeller, instead OF
having blades, will be made Of steel rods and
silk, curiously put together. so that when in
motion it will throw itself into the form OF q
two.twin screw. This is an invention OF Carl
Myers. Another 0tt0cnmeut IS q eOrt ol parh-
chute arrangement that. when not In use. lies
up Fat against the swelling sides Of the balloon,
but which can, in an instant, be spread so AZ to
moderate descent 10 case OF accident.
The weight OF the entire ship is only $50
pounds. OF which but 20 pounds are in the power
producing machinery. Keeping it dowr so low
permits the carrying Of $50 to $50 pounds Of pas
sengers and ballast.
The car, with all its wings. propellers and
other attachments,e except the power, has been
completed, and is now on exhibition at Coney
island. John I. Smith. Of 159 and 160 South
street, who built the car. is now finishing the
power and its connections, which he expects to
have completed in about a week.
The balloon il being made by Carl Myers. hus'
band Of the aeronsut Carlotta, at Mohawk.
Herkimer county, New York. and he writes thai
it will be finished in two or at most three weeks
The balloon used by Carlotts is one of Mr..
Myers's make. and is said TO be the lightest OF
equal efficiency IN the world. 1t weighs but
ff,y-ive pounds and carries up 245 pounds
easily. Carlotta has besn engaged to make the
first trip in Mr.. Campbell's air-ship.
Astock company has been formed to build
aud exploit the Campbell air-ships. This first
ship will only have ccst about $1,000, and heI
builder says that they can duplicate her for one
half of that. The president OF the company ID
Daniel B. Thompson, aud the treasurer John
Burrill. both of Brooklyn.