Sacramento daily record-union., 1890-03-08
AERIAL WAR SHIPS.
Graphic Description of the Naval Battles
of the Future.


Graphic Description of the Naval Battles
of the Future.
EDS. RECORD UNION: If what we dream
does sometimes actually come to pass, then
it is possible that the following account of
dream which has deeply impressed my
mind may eventually prove true. had
been reading and meditating few even.
ings ago, about the preparations being
made for war, or war defsnses-the various
devices and inventions Of nations TO pro-
tect or destroy property and life, until BE-
coming weary l sought repose, and being
soon in dreamland, l was wandering alone
among old familiar places near the en-
trance to the beautiful bay of San Fran
cisco. 1t seemed TO have been holiday,
for thousands OF men, women and chill
dren, all splendidly aliired, were promen-
aiding the beach, but were beginning to re-
trace their steps toward the great city as
the day was far spent. l tried in vain to
follow them, but was irresistibly restrained
by some unknown power. Wait, wait for
awhile, whispered q low but distinct
voice, and you shall soon witness scene
the Ike never before enacted on earth
a naval combat, the result of which will
teach nations the cheapest and most effci-
ent method for coast aud harbor defenses.
At this announcement l moved under the
shelter of high Cliff, for the sun was fast
declining. and cool sniff breeze was begin
ming to blow from of the sea. was
scarcely comfortably seated TO observe care
fully the great promised event, when l was
Joined by a middle-sgsd man of medium
stature, dark eyes, his countenance pale
and worn. Assuming reclining position
O ord hn
peared deeply concerned about something
soon 10 tTanspire.
Looking down the coast, I discovered a
body of men actively engaged at some
work, the nature OF which I could not de-
termine. Turning to my companion,
broke the silence by lnquiring, What
means the convening and activity of these
men adown the beach?n Readily reply
irg Watch, and you shall see, says he.
Juat then an obl0ng dark body began
to rise, when ne exclaimed, This is my
aerial war.ship, invented especially for
coast and harbor defenses, ard I have
sought this point where We now are, to
watch her behavior in mid-alr, Just previ-
Gus to an exhibition of her destructive
powers Anon you will behold, said he,
what this little frail craft can accomplish
while suspended in the elements above"
Having now attained 10 the desired eleva.
ton, she sailed gracefully away over the
city, where thousands OF eyes were up
turned, eagerly watching the ''annihilator'
travelling through space.
My cousin, now dead, said my COM
panion, expended his fortune and ruined
his health in the endeavor TO perfect yes
sci that could navigate the air, not for COM
mercial purposes, but for home defense and
protection in time OF war. His work was
m 1afr1rad bafOra biS dars1SSn "a motive
power being the only thing lacking. After
much experimenting, l found electricity
the best for the purpose desired, and as you
have already seen, it works admirably.
Three practieed men are all-sufhcient to
man my ship in the greatest emergency.
With five hundred pounds of an explosive
far more destructive than dynamite, which
is kept constantly on board, can, in
half hours time destroy the largest and
most powerful man-of-Tar that will ever
dare to invade our coast. But seel she is
now returning. She has probably been
cruising down the coast, for if is believed
by Government officers that an attempt
will soon be made to lombard the city.
No ordinary head wind can impede the
progress of my little craft. She is as feet
as bird on wing,
TThe sirship approached, and, lowering
fairly over our heads, dropped a small
package to which a slight weight was at
tached. With avidity II was seized by my
excited companion, and hastily tearing it
apart, exclaimed: The enemy is near at
hand, and you will soon see q novel COM
bat, but OF short duration.
The airship having made another circuit
of several miles, was slowly returning, the
stars and stripes of our beloved Union
streaming from fore and aft. "Oh, amt
she daisy2 ?" calculated my enthusiastic
companion. Behold how easily and
gracefully she shoots along, clearing the
air with her expanded, bird like wings"
Slowly moving toward the foremost of
the feet, which were now nearly abreast of
the city, she descended little, and when
directly over the enemy dropped down
with rihe-like precision a body of explosive
upon the deck of the invader, instantly de-
molishing the supposed impregnable mon
ster ship.
The next in turn soon shared the same
fate. The remainder of the squadron, be-
coming alarmed at the doings of the little
but mighty conqueror floating in safety
above, lost no time in beating a hasty re-
treat. GLORY enough for one day, said l,
as the aerial destroyer was proudly return
ing from her victorious engagement. When
alighted at her moorings, there resounded
through air three tremendous cheers from
the gallant crew, arousing me from the
deep slumber into which had fallen, and
though but dream l am all the more con-
WINGED that aerial warships are destined to
become a very important branch OF our
naval service. Y. S. T.
Auburn, Cal, March 4, 1890.