News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-12-27
TERMS $3.50.
TIE AIR SHIP.
An Inventor Secs His Life Dream
Realized.

A balloon ascension WAS made recently
at Coney Island. The weather was all
| that could be desired, and it was decided
| to make an attempt to demonstrate the
| soundness of the ideas carried out by the
| inventor of the air ship, Peter G. Camp
| bell, South Brooklyn jewe'er. Mr..
James X. Allen, the we'll known profess
sional aeronaut, of Providence, Rhode
Island, was the balloonist.
1t YVES intende to have the ascension
take place at o'clock, and the balloon
list was to have made voyage to Phila-
delphia, but, owing to several unlocked
for details, the start was not made until
o'clock. Five hundred people were on
hand TO witness the first outdoor prac-
II al demonstration of tho invention.
Pure oxygen gas was generated on the
spot, and the balloon was inflated. Mr..
Allen stepped into the light car in tho
centre of the mir ship, and gave the
signal to cut the rope that held it to the
earth.
Tho hawsers were severed, end with
an easy motion the air-sllip moved up
ward amid the applauding shouts of the
crowd. When the balloon was about
200 or 300 feet up, it was remembered
that photograph of the machine was
to be taken, and loud shouts caused the
aeronaut to bring the immense air
machine to the earth's surface again,
almost on the same spot from where he
started. The photograph taken, the
balloon again moved upward to p height
of 500 feet.
There itremained stationary for sever
al minutes, and finally, under the direc-
tiOO of tho tIa oir ,,,orol
about in different courses at will. After
maneuvering about in the air for half an
hour the ship took its course northeast
and landed in the village of Sheepshead
Bay. Mr.. Allen states that in all its
movements, with Lut few minor exccp-
tions, the machine obeyed the actions of
its various propellers and screws, and
that the landing made was intentional.
The air ship combines the principal
of a balloon and flying machine. 1t is
cigar shaped, 60 feet long, and 45 feet in
diameter in the center. The Car and
balloon by means of bar running
form of flying machine is provided,
whereby a propelling force may be
applied to raise and lower the device,
or to propel it in horizontal direction
through the air.
On the side of the car are hinged
wings, adjusted so as to allow vertical
movement at right angles to the car,
like the wings of bird. These wings
are governed by guy or sheet ropes. |
Both fore and aft of the circular body of |
the car and projecting from the keel are |
arranged triangular guide wings, hing
ed to the keel, and standing out there
from in horizontal position, but cnpH-
BILE of being swung dOwnwnrdly WIN |
the upper part Of the keel rs an axis.
At the forward end of the car and its |
keel is hinged vertical rudder similar
to that of n boat, but Of n size to extend
both above and below the body of the
car. The rudder is controlled by q
crossed head and tiller rope extending
to the center of the car. At the rear end
of the car is mounted q propelling
extend forward into the center of the
car and to terminate in crank by which
the propelling wheel may be rotated. |
Under the car is q second propelling |
wheel upon vertical shaft, which is
also fitted with an operating crank.
There are two oars to facilitate the
landing of the ship. These oars have
long handles and are in the shape of a |
fan.
All the machinery is worked by cleo
tricity from the center of the car.
The inventor of the ship has formed
o company with a capital of 81, 600, 900.