Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1889-01-02
THE AIR SHIP.
An Inventor Sees His Life Dream
Realized


A balloon ascension was made recently
st 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, a South Brooklyn ieweler. Mr..
James X. Allen, the we'll known profess
sional aeronaut, of Providence, Rhode
Island, was the balloonist.
1t was intended to have the ascension
take place at 3 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
A o'clock. Five hundred people were on
hand to witness the first outdoor prac-
! tical demonstration Of the invention.
Pure oxygen gas was generated on the
/ spot, aad the balloon was inflated. Mr..
Allen stepped into the light car in the
centre of the air ship, and gave the
signal to cut the rope that held it TO the
earth.
The hawsers were severed, end with
an easy motion the air-ship moved up
ward amid the npplauding shouts of the
crowd. When the balloon was about
200 or 800 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 height
of 500 feet.
There itremained stationary for sever
al minutes, and finally, under the direc-
ton of the aeronaut, the air ship moved
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 but few minor excep-
tions, the machine obeyed the actions of
its various propeilers and screws, and
that the landing made was intentional.
The air ship combines the principal
of balloon and flying machine. 1t is
cigar shaped, GO feet long, and As feet in
diameter ia the center. The car and
flying machine is suspended from the
balloon by means OF bar running
lengthwise under it. A propeller in the
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 Us 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 capa- /
BILE of being swung downwardly with |
the upper part of the keel as an axis.
At the forward end of the car and its |
keel is hinged vertical rudder similar
to that of boat, but of size to extend /
both above and below the body of the I
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 propelling 4
wheel, the driving shaft being made to
extend forward into the center of the 4
car and to terminate in a crank by which /
the propelliny wheel may be rotated.
Under the car is second propelling +
wheel upon a 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
a company with capital OF 81, 600, coo.